Tips for my first house

[perry]

I'm closing on my first house in a little under a month now. It's just "basic housing" as my agent liked to call it. 12 year old ranch, little under 1500sq ft, 2 car garage, decent sized deck, 1/4 acre lot, 3bd 2ba, brick front / vinyl sides. The roof is only about 3 years old and has those dimensional shingles, furnace and AC is original, water heater is 5 years old.

I'm coming from a ~700 sq ft 1bd 1ba apartment. So, what do I need to know about owning a home? What do you know now that you wish someone had told you before you got your first house?

I'll need a mower and see a recent thread on that. And a garden hose. And some tools. And a grill. And, and, and. What "good stuff" should I buy? Where's it safe to be cheap?

I'm going to epoxy the garage floor before I move in.

The one concern I've been left with is the front yard. There were two trees that the current owner had cut down because she thought they were too close to the sewer lines. She had pictures of the utility markings, and they were close, but every other house has similarly placed trees. Shrug. She left the stumps and root system. Now what?

 

[Bertilak]

Without thinking too much about this I'd say it is important to start some trees ASAP. They are slow growers but will constantly add value to the house. Think long term. They won't affect any appraisal but will make the house more salable. Consult with local nurseries (more than just one or two) to find what does best in your area.

Before moving in, while the house is empty, think about repainting the entire interior. Stick with a light, neutral color. Don't use a bunch of different colors. Whatever color you choose will look more extreme when it is on the wide expanses of walls, so unobtrusive, unexciting, neutral is what you need. Use rugs, furniture, artwork, etc. to get some "color" in the house. Those things are less permanent so can be changed more easily if you tire of them.

 

[Johnny Dale]

A twelve year old house would most likely have PVC for a drain pipe so the trees should not have been a problem at all.

As far as the stumps a tree service will grind them out for you.

 

[perry]

I actually like the colors of the place now so hopefully it's not too banged up as she moves out (place is owned by a single lady in her 60's that is moving closer to her daughter). The entry way is a nice red color (I like!), the master has a brown faux finish type paint job, and the great room and kitchen area has a tan color. I have a coworker that used to be a painter and has offered to help if I need it.

There are some new trees in the backyard. I kinda like being able to see the house from the street, but the master is up front so maybe putting a tree back in there would help w/ any privacy concerns. The other tree was off on the other side of the driveway not in the picture. I'm fine with one not being there.

Yes to PVC, it's the white spec in the middle of the front mulched area.

 

[82R100]

Guessing from the shadows, the garage and master bedroom face west?

A tree to shade the west facing windows in the afternoon might be a nice touch. Linden trees tend to grow quite quickly and are a favorite of mine, but have a distinctive appearance and aroma. Something to consider, but it might not be your cup of tea.

If you do end up planting a tree, be sure to keep it a healthy distance away from the house in anticipation of future growth.

The house looks very nice. I've personally never bought a house that new.

Enjoy.

- Chris

 

[ouch]

The best advice I can offer is to ask member Lynchmeister what to do, then do the complete opposite.

 

[withoutink]

Congrats...

Make certain you have plenty of room for a proper shaving den!

 

[82R100]

Do you have a lawn sprinkling system that will need winterizing?

 

[airplanedoc]

Garage flood epoxy ---- I put epoxy on my garage floor and love it. A buddy of mone hates his. The difference is the prep. If you are going to do it yourself, Here are a few tips for you. I used muradic acid to strip/etch my garage floor. It is avaliable at Lowes/Home Depot a whole lot cheaper than the stuff they sell you as floor cleaner and works better. Make sure you spend plenty of extra time cleaning and etching the floor Also use a (fan and mask). Then follow instructions on epoxy. Mine is 7 years old and no problems at all. I rebuilt a old jeep in garage and oil, water, wipes right off with no stains.

It would probably be good to call your local utility locating service and have them locate lines just so you know where things are. Here in IL it is a free service. I also made a map of my yard after things were marked out. for later reference for minor projects.

Yard stuff Wait and get a mower next year, unless you get a great deal on a year end closeout sale. I found that by going to some garage sales in the really high rent neighborhoods I got some great deals on things like shovels, rakes, and the like, usuallt little used, and really reasonable prices. I bought a $30 fiberglass handle shovel at one for $10.

Trees, Oner thing to remember when planting/placing trees is to visualize what the tree will look like in 5,10, or 20 years. Too many people plant trees in a place that looks great now, and then 10 years later the tree is too close to the house, power lines, etc. This is the time to plant evergreens if you want to plant a evergreen tree, or wait until spring to plant others. Stump removal is pretty reasonable, espically if you can find another neighbor getting one done, keep a eye out for someone nearby getting a tree removed, I got one removed for $20 on the spot, because they were already 4 doors down and I went down and ask the guy for a quote. My neighbor paid closer to $50

Grills I am a huge fan of Webber Grills, My dad has owned the same grill for 20+ years, and cooks on it about 3x/week. I can't say enough good things about mine either. They cost more up front, but last forever, and you can replace parts. A friend of mine bought a charbroil 2 weeks after I got my webber, his 3rd grill was a Webber, I am still using my original one.

 

[Wilpar76]

1. Make sure you know where the sun rises and sets in relationship to the windows.

2. Make sure the sump pump is decent. Plant some shrubs along the side of the house to help slow water seepage.

3. Before you paint, go around and check for nail pops. A 12 year old house has most definitely settled. If you are going to paint, either replace the popped nails with dry wall screws or tap them back in and go a good spackel (sp?) job.

4. Just to be safe, pour draino or the like down all of the drains in the house. (Most plumbers will tell you that draino is garbage, because it does not stay in contact with the items it is designed to get rid off. Either way, it beats having to pay a plumber to come and snake out the drains right after you move into the house.

5. Go around and look for and holes in the siding or basement walls. Spray the foam insulation into them. This will keep bugs and water out and help with your utility bill.

Crack open a cold beverage of your choice and know that you have completed a job well done.

Congratulations on the house!!

 

[perry]

That's a bird's eye of the house.

I found an umbrella for outside today.. originally $200 marked down to $35. Good time to be buying outdoors stuff!

The lady had the utilities marked when she moved in, took pictures, and has already given me the pictures.

There are some nail pops, planned on replacing them w/ screws as advised.

Buddy is going to help me w/ the epoxy. He's done a couple of his houses and his dad's, so that will be good help. Definitely etching, etc.

The bathrooms are a little small, but I was still thinking of replacing the vanities w/ something a little nicer. There goes that list growing again

 

[Lynchmeister]

The best advice I can offer is to ask member Lynchmeister what to do, then do the complete opposite.

 

[ouch]

I knew you'd show up in here.

 

[Chessman]

I hope you had everything inspected. Just because it's new doesn't mean it works. I would look at Craigslist if you want to save money.

 

[perry]

I hope you had everything inspected. Just because it's new doesn't mean it works. I would look at Craigslist if you want to save money.

Yep, had the inspection. Three "major" things were listed

1. AC is on 30 amp circuit but calls for 25
2. gas line to fireplace is not grounded
3. fireplace vent lacks alligator clip to keep it partially open all the time.

The minors were a couple nail pops, a small drywall rack in the middle of the master's vaulted cieling, a couple blown thermal seals on windows, and a piece of siding that had moved about 4" over.

I went looking at furniture and a buddy told me I went to the wrong store.. gotta hit Craigslist he told me. I'd be fine finding a dining room table there, but probably would not want a used couch...

 

[Jim]

Craigslist is your friend!

Find the MAIN water shutoff and tag it including which way to turn it off.

Have your heating chimney cleaned- Right away.

Have the heating system serviced before the heating season, be there and ask lots of questions.
Consider a service contract for the first year until you get your feet under you.

Be a good neighbor.

Congratulations!

 

[SRock]

Be a good neighbor.

Congratulations!

Probably the most important advice in this thread!

 

[perry]

Find the MAIN water shutoff and tag it including which way to turn it off.

Found and tested during the inspection! The main and the hose bib turnoffs are right next to each other.

Have your heating chimney cleaned- Right away.

It's gas, not used by current owner, won't be used by me, and current owner says she the chimney sweep out at some point in the last year or so.

Have the heating system serviced before the heating season, be there and ask lots of questions.
Consider a service contract for the first year until you get your feet under you.

WILCO. Current owner says she has those folks out. I've encouraged mom to keep her contract up because I think having the HVAC stuff checked out is very worthwhile. I may make friends w/ the Orkin man too!

Be a good neighbor.

Congratulations!

It's exciting and intimidating. Ready to get my own place and get to work; scared about the amount of debt I'm taking on! I'm a friendly enough guy, hoping the folks around me are too

The draino stuff has peaked my interest. Is there anything to do to help keep the pipes and drains healthy? A worthwhile monthly / quarterly treatment or anything? It's a slab, so any repairs there would be $$.

 

[Jim]

Perry
What type of heat do you have and how is it vented?

 

[paulboeck]

Ask for gift cards or get a loyalty card at your local Home Depot/Lowes/Menards/etc. store. If you're like me (especially if you're living with SWMBO), you'll be making about 5 times more trips to that type of store than you ever dreamed you would.