Growing up, many of us think about their dream job and dream house. Being a house owner is one of the most empowering feelings you will ever experience, although it is a long journey or maybe this feeling is actually amplified by the long journey. The hard work of house hunting, the excitement of an accepted offer, the diligence needed to secure a mortgage, all the struggle will pay off when you finally sleep for the first time in your new home.
Take a moment to enjoy the feeling of accomplishment, as soon you will be smacked in the face with reality on more than one occasion. Don’t stress if you’re in the same boat, as the list of things to know as a homeowner is endless. There are several things you should know before buying a house.
You should check your septic, HVAC, and boiler regularly
When you buy a new house you might find out that it was empty a long time before you move in. Maybe the owner passed away and in this case you have to get records on service dates and agreements. This can be a scavenger hunt around the garage. Inform about how often should you have these systems serviced as it’s important to feel safe in your new home.
For your information:
- Septic: According to the EPA, every three years.
- HVAC: According to the Department of Energy, once a year.
- Boiler: According to U.S. Boiler Company, once a year.
Change the lock
You might get this piece of advice from multiple sources, like your real estate agent or your attorney. Change your door locks. You don’t know who has copies to your keys. It is a simple action that will provide you the feeling of safety we all seek in a home. It is possible you don’t know how to change it, but you can find specialized help online.
Change the toilet
If you’re going to be living in your very own house it’s time to give your toilet a fresh start. You will want to change the entire toilet instead of just the toilet seat. It can be a matter of dimensions or a hygienical issue. If you don’t know how to do that by yourself, ask a plumber to help you.
Install smoke detectors
One of the first things you should do is to make a small research on how many smoke detectors you should have, the best locations for them, which ones to buy, and the correct way to install them. What’s the point of spending all this money on a house if you don’t have any safety nets in place? The National Fire Protection Association has all the answers to your fire safety questions.
Another useful tip will be to find more about the heating costs during winter. This way you will know if the house has a good heating system or if you should improve it for more effective costs.
We home our piece of advice was useful and you will enjoy your life as a new house owner!
