1. Emergency Knowledge
Any time you become a homeowner, you become responsible for any damages that occur to your home- big or small. Although we hope you never have to endure an emergency, they do happen. And when they do, you do not have time to search your house looking for the water cut off, gas cut off, or electrical panel. In most cases, time is of the essence. Ten minutes searching the house can result in thousands of dollars in damage. Knowing where your cut offs are and how to use them, as well as where your electrical panel is and how it works can save you a lot of money and a lot of heart ache.
You need to..
- know where the main water cut off is located.
- know where the main gas cut off is located.
- know general knowledge about your electrical panel, including the breakers.
Click here for more information on emergency knowledge you need to know!
2. Routine Maintenance
When you go to sell a house, one of the main things buyers notice is what you’ve done to keep your house in good condition. The easiest way to accomplish this is by routine maintenance throughout the year. It’s much easier (and cheaper!) to perform these tasks sporadically rather than all at once.
You need to…
- know when to change your HVAC filter.
- know when to clean your gutters out.
- know when to change your refrigerator filter.
- test your GFCI outlets.
- clean your fridge’s coils.
- add or replace weather striping to your windows and doors.
- test your smoke alarms.
Click here for more information on routine maintenance you need to know!
3. Preventative Maintenance
Preventative maintenance is easy to forget or put off because many of these tasks only need to be done once in a while or a few times a year. If you’re not careful you can end up being that house in the neighborhood with the overgrown yard, peeling paint, and a list of expensive (but possibly could have been prevented) repairs.
You need to…
- watch for water pooling after any heavy rain.
- check your attic for leaks.
- clean your grout; particularly in the bathroom.
- run water through your disposal if it is not frequently used.
You should…
- never put salt on the driveway.
- keep your deck clean and stain or re-stain when it is necessary.
- not mount anything to your roof.
- calk around windows, doors, bathtubs, and any openings on the exterior of the house.
Click here for more information on preventative maintenance you need to know!
4. Major Improvements
There are two types of improvements: improvements that increase the value of your home, and improvements that are solely done because you desire them. When debating whether or not to update your home with new cabinets, carpet, or any other major improvement, make sure to give us a call first. We will be able to assist you in your decision to help you get the most bang for your buck! As well as provide you with insight on improvements that are investments for your home to increase the value.
- You should call Nick Ratliff Realty Team.
5. Saving Tips
One of the easiest ways to save money is by making small changes around the house. Below are a list of some of the ways you can save money:
You should…
- not keep your HVAC on EM heat.
- buy a programmable thermostat.
- check your insulation.
- take advantage of your fireplace- that’s free heat!
- keep your blinds closed during the day.
- never increase or decrease the thermostat by more than three degrees.
- control your fridge’s temperature.
- shop for homeowners insurance every few years.
- check for rebates on new appliances.
- ask Nick Ratliff Realty Team for flooring vendors.
- check fan blade direction.
