When you buy a new home there is a very good chance that there are some things that you are going to want to change right away. Knowing what you will be up against when you purchase a new home may help you to have a more realistic view of what the first few days or weeks will be like in your new home and can save you from headaches down the line. Here are my top 7 skills that new homeowners should start learning now if they don’t already have them mastered already. 
- Change the locks- when you move into your new home this is the first skill that you will need to either master yourself or hire out. For obvious safety reasons, changing the locks will help you feel safe and prevent anyone with the previous key from dropping by unannounced.
- Change the filters for both the AC and the furnace- check the sizes that you need before you head out to the home improvement store, and replace all of the filters in your new home. Depending on the quality of your filters, they should be changed monthly or quarterly. Changing your filters often will cut down on energy costs and keep your equipment running smoothly.
- Know how to correctly install drywall screws – this comes in handy if you need to repair your drywall. Knowing how to install the screws and replacement pieces will save you a bundle of cash and some headaches when repairs are necessary.
- Correctly use a caulking gun – this is almost a skilled trade and comes in extremely handy when doing cosmetic repair work, especially in bathrooms. The difference between a well-done job and a sloppy job can be huge. Don’t give the impression your home isn’t well taken care of. Learn to apply caulk evenly and correctly.
- Know how to find your main water cutoff – don’t wait for a disaster before you find out you don’t know how to shut off your water. Knowing how to shut off your water quickly can make a huge difference when it comes to floods and water damage.
- Learn how to find a wall stud- if you plan on hanging heavy equipment and décor on your walls like flat screen TVs, stereo equipment, and large pictures, knowing how to find a wall stud to support the weight will help you prevent messy and potentially dangerous accidents.
- Check the toilets- a leaky toilet can lead to sky high water bills and replacing the inside mechanism isn’t hard. I also recommend changing all of the toilet seats and cleaning all toilets thoroughly so you have peace of mind that your bathroom is clean to your standards.
Good luck to all new homeowners out there or future homeowners out there! Owning your own home is such a rewarding feeling and having confidence that you can complete all minor repairs yourself will make you feel even better (and save you money). If you need any further advice on homes or buying and selling, please feel free to contact the Besst Realty Group!
For this and other articles from Lindee Bess a real estate agent in Northern Utah please go to www.LindeeBess.com. Lindee is a professional real estate agent working out of her North Ogden Utah office. Lindee Bess and her team of professional agents stand ready to help you whether you are looking to relocate to Utah or you already live in Northern Utah and you’re simply looking to buy or sell your home. The lindee Bess team stands ready to help, please call 801-782-4574.