Avoid These First-Time Homeowner Mistakes



Being a first-time homeowner can be one of the most exciting and stressful times of your life. Now you have a whole new set of challenges ahead.  There are a lot of opportunities to learn as you go and unfortunately mistakes will be made.

Many new homeowner mistakes can be avoided by doing some preparation. Don’t let the following newbie mistakes damper your excitement. Be proactive and plan ahead by using these tips and tricks below to help you learn the ropes of being a homeowner.

Ignoring Routine Maintenance

You likely did a walk-through with a certified home inspector, so you’re alert to what issues you’re your attention, and that can wait.  House maintenance includes many jobs you might have never considered before, like power-washing the home, cleaning the gutters, and prepping your pipes for the winter.
The easiest way to avoid costly damage is to create a quarterly or monthly maintenance schedule for all the areas of your home. You should include interior and outdoor maintenance. It’s a great idea to create a checklist.

Additional Expenses
Moving can be costly, but any longterm homeowner will let you know that there’s always more to spending for random issues just like a roofing leak or a broken washing machine. Plan for the unpredicted by putting away extra cash for emergency house needs.

Getting Locked Out
Being a new homeowner could make you more vulnerable to getting locked out. However this happens, this mistake can result in having to call a locksmith to get you back in. Have an extra key somewhere accessible.

Major Renovations After You Move In
While small renovations should be expected, major renovations should wait until you have extra cash available. Provide yourself time to live in the home, observe how it feels, and set a priority of the renovations.  


Follow these tips to help you avoid setbacks for first time home buyers. 

Are you are a new home buyer or someone searching for listings? Check out my listings with Chestnut Park West.


Mike Bolger, Sales Rep
Chestnut Park Realty Southwestern Ontario Ltd.
The Shops at Waterloo Town Square
75 King Street South, Unit 50
Waterloo, ON N2J 1P2
+1 (519) 616-2656 
https://www.mikebolger.ca/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Crucial Questions to Ask Before Buying a Home

Image
You have established the numbers of what you can afford as you look for a new home. You have researched the neighborhoods that you like, and now you are ready to work with a REALTOR®. But which one? There are tons of them out there in your region. Now is the ideal to ask lots of question to determine if they are the right professional REALTOR® for you. As soon this process is complete, you can now concentrate on your search. Now you found a few properties that you like; you will want to ask your REALTOR® to ask these six questions to the seller's agent.  Why are the owners selling? This question will give you facts on two things: significant flaws or if someone is moving for a job or going overseas.  This information is necessary to find out if they are motivated to sell quickly. Some REALTOR®s might be unwilling to share this information because it's personal for their client. If you get an answer that makes sense,  move forward to the next questions.  
Read more

When Buying a Home, Look Out For Foundation Issues

Image
When buying for a house it can be both enjoyable and difficult. The plan is to locate a place that is in exceptional condition and fits your living needs. One of the most significant concerns for many is that the property that you purchase is structurally sound. Check out these recommendations about how to spot probable problems when viewing homes with your real estate agent. Some REALTOR®s offer a VIP Buyer's Program . Watch out for these red flags When heading out to open houses and showings, watch out for the following signs of foundation problems. If you’re looking at properties built more than ten years ago, pay extra attention to damaged foundations. Outside: What to look out for • Horizontal cracks • Stair-step cracking • Gaps around windows and doors • Sunken stairs or porch Inside: What to look out for • Misaligned windows • Hard to open doors and windows • Drywall cracks • Cracked tiles • Ceiling cracks • Separation between walls • Separation be
Read more

Increase Your Chances of an Offer With These Staging Recommendations

Image
These days, selling your property takes more than finding a real estate agent and placing a “For Sale” sign in the front yard. Having your residence in order is the first step to an effective offer. The key is to give prospective buyers the chance to envision their “stuff” and family living in the home. It's a good idea to show your home in the best possible light. Here are some recommendations to jazz up your home staging to enhance your chances of an offer. Remove Your Belongings You could be attached to your stuff. However, the first rule is to clean up. Begin by clearing out the unnecessary stuff and pack it all away. If you do not, it can restrict new buyers from visualizing the house as their own. Pack away personal items like family photos  Hide toiletries, clothing, jewelry and accessories Remove excessive clutter Make sure the bathrooms are spotless Invest in covered containers for under the bed or in the closet Make Your Rooms Appear Even bigger You need
Read more