by Donnita Fisher
It's your house, put on your work clothes!
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ongratulations! You’ve just bought your first home. This place is completely yours! Condolences. You are now your own landlord and all the home maintenance is your responsibility. First time homeowners can often be overwhelmed with the necessity of maintaining their properties. When do you need to change your AC filter? What about that crack above the window? How long does a water heater last? And. so. much. more. Local realtors Stacie Gooch and Eric Hogue shared tips about the things they tell new homeowners. “Any home buyer, first-timer or multiple-timer, should always make sure their agent requests that the seller pay for a one-year home warranty in the contract,” Hogue advised. “That way the buyer has help if something should go wrong that first year of ownership. Additionally, I always recommend the ‘one percent rule,’ you should set aside at least one percent of your home’s value every year for home maintenance. For a $360,000 house, this works out to $3,600 per year, or $300 per month.”
In addition to wear-and-tear maintenance, some chores need to be performed seasonally or yearly. Gooch recommends homeowners have the HVAC systems serviced in the spring and fall; that the water heater is drained once a year “so that you are getting rid of residue” and that before you use your fireplace, have that chimney cleaned. She also advises foundation maintenance to help avoid those cracks above the windows. “To maintain your foundation, have an in-ground foundation drip system installed or use soaker hoses placed 18 inches away from the house.” Watering the foundation is a must, Hogue concurred. “Water the foundation with soaker hoses on the days your city allows you to water and don’t depend on your sprinkler system to do the job for you, because it won’t! Protect your foundation … especially in the summer and fall -- the non-rainy seasons.” Keeping the HVAC system well maintained is important to 6 | THECONNECTION | July/August 2021
