Getting started on a new house
Buying a
home is a
huge step.
Learning to maintain and
improve it is a long series of
baby steps, sometimes painful
and sometimes rewarding.
To help get new
homeowners off on the right
foot, we asked our Field
Editors, some of the sharpest
DIY veterans around, to pass
along their best tips for
choosing, maintaining and
improving a home.
Scout the neighborhood
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Ask questions
We went
on three
separate
occasions
(Saturday,
Sunday and
Monday) at
different
times of the
day. We
asked neighbors about the
neighborhood, schools, etc. It
gave us a real indication of
what the neighbors and neighborhood
were like. We bought
the house and love the
neighborhood—no regrets.
Jon Rump
Tackle one project at a time
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Do one project at a time
When we first bought our old house, I tore right into a porch and kitchen remodel and
started on a fence. Before I knew it, I had the whole house AND yard torn up. Ultimately
it all came together, but there was a lot of added stress with everything going on at once.
Kirk Pennings
Make a homeowner’s journal
Buy a ring binder and keep insurance papers, repair receipts
and all other paperwork pertaining to the house in it. Storing
all your house information in one handy place makes life
easier for the homeowner and can be a sales “plus” when
selling the house later.
Debora Emmert
Get to know your house before making big changes
Live in your home for 12 to 18 months before undertaking
any major renovations such as additions or knocking down
walls. What you initially think you want may change after
you've lived there for a while.
Fran Carpentier
Check the furnace filter
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Look for clues
This can give you some insight into whether the previous owner
took care of regular maintenance.
Michael Guarraia
Don’t be afraid to DIY
Ninety percent of a DIY project is having the guts to try. Worst
case—you mess up and then bring in the professional. Best
case—you save money, learn something new and feel a great
sense of accomplishment.
Fran Skwira
Finish projects . . . now
Don't learn to live with incomplete projects. If you do, the last
couple of pieces of trim can linger for years!
Jack Bauer
Budget for trouble
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The worst will happen sooner or later
We bought a
house with an
old furnace, and
we knew it was
going to go. Sure
enough, the first
winter did it in.
But since we
were prepared,
it was just an
expense, not a
financial shock.
Pat Minick
Verify everything
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Get the house history
Insist on full written disclosure from the seller about remodeling, repairs,
old damage, leaks, mold, etc. Check with the city or county, and get—in
writing—the property's permit history, zoning, prior uses, homeowners'
association restrictions and anything else you can find out. Forget “location,
location, location.” I say, “Verify, verify, verify!”
Paul Bianchina
The TOP Piece of Advice
We heard this tip over and over, along
with many horror stories from new homeowners who didn’t
follow it:
Get a licensed home inspection!
- Don't let your real estate agent choose the
inspector. Hire someone who works for you without
any conflict of interest.Inspect the inspector before you hire. Ask to see
a sample home inspection report. Comprehensive
reports run 20 to 50 pages and include color
photos showing defects or concerns. Also ask
about the length of the inspection. A thorough
inspection takes a minimum of three to four hours.
- Walk through with the inspector. You'll learn a
lot about your house.
- You may have to pay more for a certified inspector,
but in the long run it’s worth it. Certified
inspectors use sophisticated measuring and
detection equipment that can find potential
defects that can't be easily seen. Spend $1,000
now rather than $10,000 in surprise repairs later.
(For a list of inspectors certified by the American
Society of Home Inspectors, visit ashi.org.)
Get a home warranty
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Piece of mind
We had the seller throw in a home warranty. This saved us from a
faulty dishwasher and got us a brand new furnace.
Larry Gusman
Check crime stats
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Crime
Before buying, get a report of police calls in the
neighborhood. A bargain price may be due to
the crime rate in the area.
Mike Collins
Ask neighbors about pros they trust
If you're looking for plumbers, electricians or other pros, ask
your neighbors. You tend to get decent advice if you get it from
people who live near you.
Bob Bessette
Offer to buy the tools too
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You can always use more tools
If you buy from a couple that's downsizing, you might get a great
deal if you purchase their garden tools, tractors, snow blowers and
tools in general.
Alena Horsky-Gust
