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10 Tips for New Homeowners |
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Written by Pamela Ricci, CRS, CLHMS, GRI, SRES
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Thursday, 12 November 2009 |
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1 Paint
Painting is probably the quickest and easiest way to improve the looks of your home as well as protect it from weather conditions. There are many new colors and looks out there, and stores willing to help you with tips on decorating.
2 Small repairs
Don’t ignore a small leak that might turn into a large and expensive problem later. Take care of these items as soon as possible and your home will continue to stay in good repair.
3 Don’t over-improve
A swimming pool may not add the value to your home you think it will. Or if your house is getting too small, it may be better to buy new than to add on as you may price yourself out of the neighborhood. A good source of information is the National Association of Home Builders’ Web site at www.nahb.org.
4 Organize
It’s a great time to buy drawer and cabinet organizers, so as you unpack, you can find a home for all your kitchen, office, and personal items. It’s also a good time to get important papers in order, such as your insurance policies, birth certificates, and/or trust information. Find a place for those important photos as well.
5 Purge
If you didn’t already do it when you packed to move, do it now. Get rid of the stuff you don’t really need. Have a garage sale or donate items to your favorite charity before year’s end for the tax write-off. De-cluttering is so important for bringing good energy into your new home.
6 Taxes
Several tax incentives are being offered now in addition to the $8,000 tax credit you may have already taken advantage of. Www.BetterBuildingCompany.com will give you many different energy-saving ideas from small fixes such as caulking to large changes such as adding insulation, updating a furnace, or using solar or wind power. There are tax credits available for these improvements as well. One of the best places for information on these incentives is the National Association of Realtors’ Web site at www.realtor.com.
7 Home Inspection
If you had a home inspection and the seller did not complete the suggested repairs, this is the time to complete them, especially those that may be a safety issue. Your home inspector or your Realtor should have names of licensed contractors or people who can help you accomplish these tasks. Your home inspector also may have a list of routine maintenance, such as changing furnace filters or batteries in smoke detectors. Keep track of these and do them on a regular basis. This will keep your home in good condition for years.
8 Your Home Resource
Consider your Realtor a source for your questions or concerns about your home. Realtors work with people such as contractors, attorneys, accountants, house cleaners, lenders, title and escrow officers, etc. on a daily basis. A referral from someone you know is much better than just calling anyone.
9 Landscaping
First impressions are always remembered, and everyone likes to see good curb appeal when approaching your home. If your landscaping was not cared for before you purchased your home, now is the time to clear out the weeds and debris and check the sprinkler system and drip, so they will be ready in the spring. Be sure you have properly drained your sprinkler system so you will not set broken pipes this winter. Many good landscaping companies in the area can help answer your questions about fall cleanup and winter preparation.
10 Credit Score
Maintain your good credit by paying your house payments, HOA dues and unsecured debts on time. Remember that credit card companies are not the only ones checking your credit. Other companies, such as insurance, are referencing it well. If you want to get the best rates, it is important to keep your credit in good standing. Www.remax.com is a great source of information on keeping up your credit score and for many other homeowner tips. n
Pamela Ricci is a Realtor with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates in Reno. She can be reached at 775.327.9907 or 775.742.2671.
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; www.RicciHomes.com |
