Taking Care of Your New Home

Owning a home, your own private escape, is absolutely amazing. Being able to take your property and turn it into a space that is your own, where you can put your feet up and relax your mind, is priceless. With that said, it takes awhile to make it your own, and it also requires a lot of upkeep. But, IT’S WORTH IT. To help prepare you for some of the challenges of owning a home, we have provided you with a little heads-up on some things to expect and a few local resources to give you a hand. 

 

 

Full-Service Cleaning 

When you get the keys to your new home, you may realize that the old owner’s idea of clean is not the same as yours. Scheduling a deep clean by a professional before you move-in can really give that new home feeling and take away any angst of moving into a place that was pre-owned.  Sparkle & Shine Cleaning Services of West MI, LLC and Cascade Fresh Cleaning get the best reviews on Google, but there are a number of cleaning services to choose from. 

 

 

 

Utilities   

Make sure that all of your utilities are ready to go before you move in. Ask at closing to make sure that your move-in date is on record, so that any hefty water or electric bills are sent to the seller and not to you. Your real estate agent and closer can help you with that task! 

 

 

 

Tree trimming

You live in Michigan, so that means trees. Plan to have a tree trimming company like Good Earth Tree Care, come give you an estimate early on. While that lovely oak shading your home can be charming, it also can be a hazard. It is also a very expensive endeavor to have them trimmed. Have a tree trimming company give you their thoughts and their quotes so that you are prepared for the future. It is also worth noting that for the health of your trees, oaks need to be trimmed between November to April, and other trees also should be trimmed at different times of the year as well. 

 

 

 

Yard work

While it is a little cold and snowy for yard work, you will likely want to start improving your outdoor oasis right away, a bush here, a new fence there. Before you dig, it is important that you know where any underground utility lines are located! Call *811 which is the National Dig Hotline. They will send out the utility companies to mark where those lines are located. 

 

 

 

The walls

Same goes for your walls. As you are adding in shelves and hanging pictures, it’s important to be aware of the wiring and pipes that are behind the drywall. Use a stud finder to make sure you are drilling into the studs and not into your electrical! 

 

 

 

Appliance recycling 

If you are in the market for new appliances, which many new homeowners are, we have just the resource for you! Consumers Energy wants to encourage new homeowners to get rid of their electricity hogs and replace them with energy savers. Call them, and they will come and get your old appliances and recycle them for you. That isn’t even the best part, they will also give you cash for those appliances, so it is a win/win! 

 

 

 

Recycling 

As you make some changes in your new, older home, you may come across some things that need to be recycled, like old paint, varnish, paint thinners, etc…. “What do I do with those?” You may ask yourself. The good news, you can take them to Kent County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Program. Likewise, you can recycle organic waste like those tree branches and leaves in your new yard at City of Grand Rapids Yard Refuse and Grand Rapids Iron and Metal will pay you money for any metal products that you need to get out of your new home.

 

 

 

Plan ahead

Upkeep is mandatory with a home. You will constantly need to stay on top of little repairs and some big things that will occur throughout your life in your new home. It is a good idea to save a little each month in the event that something bigger occurs. And, having a monthly and seasonal checklist of items that need to get done will keep it from turning into a huge list later on is a great, proactive idea. Remember that you will want and need to have inspections on your HVAC system from R&R Mechanical LLC. or The Furnace Doctor or other reputable service provider once a year to keep them running efficiently and to increase their longevity 

 

 

 

Know your home

Take a look at your inspection again, and determine the necessities and priorities that need your attention. Get a plan, a timeline, and a budget for how you will make those repairs over time.

 

 

 

 

Now, sit back and relax and take note and relish that this is your space, your home, your own private place to vacate the outside world every single day. If any concerns or worries pop-up, don’t hesitate to call your real estate agency or 616 Realty. We have a list of service providers that we recommend and will point you in the right direction in maintaining and loving on your home as much as it provides you the space and tranquility you need and  love.