Tri-Valley Mortgage News

Practical Advice for the New Homeowner

There's nothing more exciting than opening the door to your first new home and knowing that it's entirely yours, that you actually own it! No landlord bothering you about every little thing. Finally you can do whatever you want to do in your new home (including painting the walls!).

But step back for a moment. While you've certainly earned the pride you feel of owning your home, don't let your emotions get the better of you and potentially jeopardize your valuable investment.

Before you start making any major renovations, take a minute to cover the practical side of home ownership. These three steps can save you time, stress and money:

1. Make sure you are properly insured:  Before you decide to add on or tear down anything associated with your house, sit down with your insurance provider and make sure you are covered on all fronts before you make any renovations. It makes no sense to spend a single cent on upgrades if they are not protected.
2. Put maintenance first: You may be happy you no longer have to answer to your landlord but conversely, you have no landlord to call when something goes wrong! Before you think about beautifying your home, fortify it first. Invest in necessary repairs and avoid trouble down the line. For more tips see our blog on Easy Home Maintenance.
3. Hire a pro: When you do decide to upgrade or renovate, be sure to hire a qualified professional. This doesn't mean you can't do your own painting or other simple projects but a major undertaking requires a professional to achieve the desired result and avoid injury. On the other hand if you are "DIY- impaired" don't worry. For even the minor fixes and upgrades you can call on a local handyman. Check your community center, yellow pages or local newspaper classifieds for these services. And if you have a parent, relative or friend who's handy, you've hit the jack pot. Just be prepared to put your kitchen to use and feed your helper(s) well!

  By simply taking steps to ensure these bases are covered you will be able to feel both proud and secure in your new home.