I’ve had my place 20 years. Here’s a couple of tips:
If you’re not already in a fixed rate loan, refi into one as soon as its feasible for you.
The Home Depot 1-2-3 series books will save you thousands in basic troubleshooting and repairs. YouTube is really good for general handyman advice too. Caveat: learn your limits and don’t take on anything you don’t know ypu can see through. Several hours’ research is generally all you need.
Be judicious about home warranties. They’ll spam you with FUD. Just hang out at a local trades bar and chat with the regulars. You’ll learn a lot.
Electric and water generally* pretty are easy. Don’t mess with the gas lines.
If you DO undertake your own repairs, don’t cut corners and leave it for the Next Guy. That Next Guys will inevitably be you.
Nothing will be plumb, square or true. You learn to deal with it.
If you like to use rich colors in your décor, learn about tinted primers, especially when dealing with red paints.
Equity is Capital. Don’t touch it except for capital improvements to the structures & grounds, and even then be judicious. I’m talking new roof, new sump, kitchens & baths. Do not usenit to pay off consumer debt or college loans. No matter how tempting.
Really, Don’t Touch The Capital.
Live there for you. Its your house. Make it your personal retreat from the world, and set it up how you like it. Don’t worry about resale until it’s actually time to sell.
Again, congratulations and good luck!
–
* for basic repairs, receptacle replacement, and the odd new branch. Know your limits.
I’ll second the last bit. I’ve got too many friends who bought their houses and they’re so insanely worried about “well what if the paint color on the outside makes people not want to buy the house” or whatever. That’s (hopefully) a problem that’s years and years in the future, and you shouldn’t have to worry about it. Don’t worry about how other people might see it - it’s your house, and you should do things that please you. Always wanted a bright pink bedroom? Go for it.
Yep, for me that’s the number one principle of home ownership - it’s my house, I’m gonna make it the way I want it. If the time comes when I sell it, somebody will like what I did. Even if some real estate agent insists that I paint everything white, I’m never painting a fucking brick fireplace white.
Live there for you. Its your house. Make it your personal retreat from the world, and set it up how you like it. Don’t worry about resale until it’s actually time to sell.
One additional thing I’ll add: make “nice” repairs, e.g. things that you normally repair when you’re about to sell the house (e.g. wobbly toilet paper dispenser, crooked trim, etc.) as your budget and time allow. These things add up when you’re selling and you’ll regret not having your place look nice when you lived there.
These are nice weekend projects and often help you learn basic home repair.
Lots of great advice here. I’ll 2nd the YouTube as a resource. I’ve repaired AC units, a garbage disposal, and replaced the damn water heater all from an hour or 2 of research and watching YouTube.
Also keep a note book that you jot down the seldom done stuff, like blowing out sprinklers, which furnace filter size you need, etc.
Anything you buy for home improvement, from new cabinet handles to drywall, get an emailed receipt and put it in a special folder/tag that you can find again when you sell. Those dollars spent are tax deductible when you sell your house.
Builder’s grade = cheapest shit they can buy in bulk.
Congratulations!
I’ve had my place 20 years. Here’s a couple of tips:
If you’re not already in a fixed rate loan, refi into one as soon as its feasible for you.
The Home Depot 1-2-3 series books will save you thousands in basic troubleshooting and repairs. YouTube is really good for general handyman advice too. Caveat: learn your limits and don’t take on anything you don’t know ypu can see through. Several hours’ research is generally all you need.
Be judicious about home warranties. They’ll spam you with FUD. Just hang out at a local trades bar and chat with the regulars. You’ll learn a lot.
Electric and water generally* pretty are easy. Don’t mess with the gas lines.
If you DO undertake your own repairs, don’t cut corners and leave it for the Next Guy. That Next Guys will inevitably be you.
Nothing will be plumb, square or true. You learn to deal with it.
If you like to use rich colors in your décor, learn about tinted primers, especially when dealing with red paints.
Equity is Capital. Don’t touch it except for capital improvements to the structures & grounds, and even then be judicious. I’m talking new roof, new sump, kitchens & baths. Do not usenit to pay off consumer debt or college loans. No matter how tempting.
Really, Don’t Touch The Capital.
Live there for you. Its your house. Make it your personal retreat from the world, and set it up how you like it. Don’t worry about resale until it’s actually time to sell.
Again, congratulations and good luck!
–
* for basic repairs, receptacle replacement, and the odd new branch. Know your limits.
I’ll second the last bit. I’ve got too many friends who bought their houses and they’re so insanely worried about “well what if the paint color on the outside makes people not want to buy the house” or whatever. That’s (hopefully) a problem that’s years and years in the future, and you shouldn’t have to worry about it. Don’t worry about how other people might see it - it’s your house, and you should do things that please you. Always wanted a bright pink bedroom? Go for it.
Yep, for me that’s the number one principle of home ownership - it’s my house, I’m gonna make it the way I want it. If the time comes when I sell it, somebody will like what I did. Even if some real estate agent insists that I paint everything white, I’m never painting a fucking brick fireplace white.
One additional thing I’ll add: make “nice” repairs, e.g. things that you normally repair when you’re about to sell the house (e.g. wobbly toilet paper dispenser, crooked trim, etc.) as your budget and time allow. These things add up when you’re selling and you’ll regret not having your place look nice when you lived there.
These are nice weekend projects and often help you learn basic home repair.
Lots of great advice here. I’ll 2nd the YouTube as a resource. I’ve repaired AC units, a garbage disposal, and replaced the damn water heater all from an hour or 2 of research and watching YouTube.
Also keep a note book that you jot down the seldom done stuff, like blowing out sprinklers, which furnace filter size you need, etc.
Anything you buy for home improvement, from new cabinet handles to drywall, get an emailed receipt and put it in a special folder/tag that you can find again when you sell. Those dollars spent are tax deductible when you sell your house.
Builder’s grade = cheapest shit they can buy in bulk.
Enjoy your new house!
The home improvement book.
It’s on Amazon used for super cheap. I just paid $2.99 + $4 ship for it
Thanks!!