Congratulations! You’ve just closed on your new home. You received the keys and you popped the champagne.
But your new home needs maintenance. As a real estate agent of 23-plus years as well as a homeowner, I advise you to begin caring for your home from day one.
Whether you are the first-time owner of a new construction or the proud owner of a resale, you are in for a few surprises. And advice coming from all directions – seasoned homeowners, contractors or even TV shows – can become overwhelming. Here are the upgrades you may want to make to your new home: electrical upgrades, roofing and exterior, heating and cooling systems, kitchen and bathroom.
Figuring out where to start will depend on the condition of the property and your budget, needs and desires. If there is more than one owner, the negotiations regarding where to begin can require even more careful discussion and budgeting.
Necessary Upgrades
Nathan Dumas, a real estate agent at Kuper Sotheby’s in San Antonio, Texas, suggests using the home inspection report as your to-do list. “Repair all items in the report since these are generally structural, mechanical, code items or deferred maintenance,” Dumas says.
All features of a house support each other. Roofing and exterior issues will impact heating and cooling, so repairing them to ensure maintaining a comfortable temperature in a home will make a huge difference in a home’s livability, energy efficiency and fuel costs. A leaking or inadequate roof can only…
