First Time Homebuyers Archives | Blessings Realty | Colorado Springs and Monument Realtor

Essential Maintenance to Conduct on Newly Purchased Homes

September 22, 2020 By Claire Garlick Leave a Comment

You’ve worked hard to become a homeowner. However, your work is not done. After you move into your new house, there are several essential maintenance tasks that you’ll need to attend to. Here are a few things you need to do in order to maintain your new home:

Gutter Maintenance

Your gutters are an important part of your home. They’re designed to prevent water from damaging the foundation of your home by redirecting the flow away from the base. They’ll also prevent ice dams from forming on your roof by creating a path for the water to flow off of your roof. You should inspect your gutters and clean them if necessary, as gutters can become easily clogged with leaves and branches – and even sustain damage over time if not taken care of. This is an easy fix that many neglect after purchasing a home, resulting in more costly repairs down the road.

Air Conditioner Maintenance

Unless the air conditioner is brand new, you should ensure that it gets maintenance. You’ll need to have the filter changed, since it’s responsible for removing dirt, dust and allergens from the air. A dirty filter will cause your HVAC system to work harder, as well as produce poor air quality.

You’ll also need to have your HVAC system inspected by a professional. They can perform a tune-up. Air conditioner maintenance will help you save money because the unit will use less energy and last a lot longer.

Water Heater Maintenance

Your water heater likely needs to be drained if it’s been used before. Sediment has a tendency to build up in water heaters over time, and few sellers have this taken care of before they sell their home. If the sediment hardens, your water heater will become less efficient. Draining the water heater will help get rid of the sediment and ensure your heater works normally long after you move into your new home.

Plumbing Maintenance

Inspecting the pipes in a property you’ve just moved into is crucial. Look under your sinks to make sure the pipes aren’t leaking. Also, if there are water stains on your ceiling, you may have a plumbing leak. Additionally, you’ll need to check your faucets for drips. If you notice any problems, call a plumber who can ensure that your sinks, toilets and pipes are in good working condition. Plumbing maintenance can help you save a lot of time and money further down the road.

You will need to perform basic maintenance when you move into a home. You’ll need to clean your gutters in order to protect the foundation, as well as perform water heater maintenance and air conditioner maintenance. Additionally, it’s important to make sure your plumbing system is in good shape.

Article originally published at http://blog.rismedia.com/2020/essential-maintenance-newly-purchased/.

New Construction or Existing Home: Which Is Better for Your Family?

August 19, 2020 By Claire Garlick Leave a Comment

Are you in the market to buy a home? If so, then you may be trying to decide between new construction or purchasing an existing home. With your home being such a huge purchase, you need to be sure you make the best choice for your family.

Here are some things you should consider when trying to determine whether new construction or an existing home is better for your family:

Your Budget

The biggest deciding factor for many individuals is their budget. Existing homes often come with a cheaper initial price tag; however, there may also be some incentives for purchasing a new construction home that can make them more affordable in the long run.

Whether or Not You Want to Make Repairs

Existing homes usually have repairs that need to be made. Things may break more often than you think, and fixing them requires time, energy and money. Some individuals are handy and don’t mind making a few repairs here and there, while others don’t want to deal with the repairs and maintenance often associated with existing homes. Most new construction homes won’t need to have repairs made to them in the immediate future. If the home is well made, it may be years before any repairs are needed.

Future Insurance Premiums

Many individuals don’t realize that new homes tend to have lower insurance premiums. This is because they’re seen as less of a risk to insurance companies than existing homes are. It’s not uncommon for some homeowners to pay hundreds of dollars more in insurance premiums each year simply because they purchased an existing home instead of new construction.

The Importance of Energy Efficiency

Existing homes typically aren’t anywhere near as energy efficient as new construction homes, which can often lead to larger electric bills each month. There are some updates you can make to improve the energy efficiency of an existing home, but it takes more money and effort. New construction homes are usually built with the most energy-efficient materials available, which can be very beneficial to the buyer and the environment.

If you’re in the market for a home, you need to consider all of your options. This includes determining whether or not you should choose an existing home or new construction. Many choose a newly built home because they’re more energy efficient, have low insurance premiums, don’t require repairs and fit into the buyer’s budget. By keeping this all in mind, you can make the right decision when it comes to which type of home will meet your family’s needs.

Article originally published at http://blog.rismedia.com/2020/new-construction-existing-home-better/.

How Is Remote Work Changing Homebuyer Needs?

August 12, 2020 By Claire Garlick Leave a Comment

With more companies figuring out how to efficiently and effectively enable their employees to work remotely (and for longer than most of us initially expected), homeowners throughout the country are re-evaluating their needs. Do I still need to live close to my company’s office building? Do I need a larger home with more office space? Would making a move to the suburbs make more sense for my family? All of these questions are on the table for many Americans as we ride the wave of the current health crisis and consider evolving homeownership needs.

According to George Ratiu, Senior Economist for realtor.com:

The ability to work remotely is expanding home shoppers’ geographic options and driving their motivation to buy, even if it means a longer commute, at least in the short term…Although it’s too early to tell what long-term impact the COVID-era of remote work will have on housing, it’s clear that the pandemic is shaping how people live and work under the same roof.

Working remotely is definitely changing how Americans spend their time at home, and also how they use their available square footage. Homeowners aren’t just looking for a room for a home office, either. The desire to have a home gym, an updated kitchen, and more space in general – indoor and outdoor – are all key factors motivating some buyers to change their home search parameters.

A recent realtor.com-HarrisX survey indicates:

In a June poll of 2,000 potential home shoppers who indicated plans to make a purchase in the next year, 63% of those currently working from home stated their potential purchase was a result of their ability to work remotely, while nearly 40% [of] that number expected to purchase a home within four to six months and 13% said changes related to pandemic fueled their interest in buying a new home.

Clearly, Americans are thinking differently about homeownership today, and through a new lens. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) notes:

New single-family home sales jumped in June, as housing demand was supported by low interest rates, a renewed consumer focus on the importance of housing, and rising demand in lower-density markets like suburbs and exurbs.

Through these challenging times, you may have found your home becoming your office, your children’s classroom, your workout facility, and your family’s safe haven. This has quickly shifted what home truly means to many American families. More than ever, having a place to focus on professional productivity while many competing priorities (and distractions!) are knocking on your door is challenging homeowners to get creative, use space wisely, and ultimately find a place where all of these essential needs can realistically be met. In many cases, a new home is the best option.

In today’s real estate market, making a move while mortgage rates are hovering at historic lows may enable you to purchase more home for your money, just when you and your family need it most.

Bottom Line

If your personal and professional needs have changed and you’re ready to accommodate all of your family’s competing priorities, reach out to a local real estate professional today. Making a move into a larger home may be exactly what you need to set your family up for optimal long-term success.

Article originally published at https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2020/08/06/how-is-remote-work-changing-homebuyer-needs/.