9 Home Maintenance Tasks New Homeowners Should Do

When someone buys a home for the first time, it seems there is always another person involved along the way.

For example, either the current homeowner or the real estate agent is present during the home showing.

You meet with your lender to sign the loan application and provide your asset & income information.

At the closing, there is usually an attorney, or at the least, the attorney’s assistant, to direct the flow of paperwork and get the signatures in the right place. The real estate agent and the seller of the home will likely be at the closing too.

Then, new key in hand, you visit your new home! But all of those other people are gone, and you are left to be the freshly minted homeowner all on your own.

That can be quite a bit of responsibility. Listed below are suggestions for keeping the home in top shape with home maintenance tips for new homeowners.

When you eventually sell the house, keeping your home in great shape will help immensely.

Do be sure that whenever you start making improvements that there are no building permits required. Many homeowners have gone down the road of making renovations and upgrades where permits were required.

It can certainly put you in a precarious position when it comes time to put your home up for sale.

Review the Thermostat

Look over the thermostat and choose a temp that is comfortable for you. More importantly, review the type of thermostat.

Modern thermostats can be programmed to change the temp multiple times throughout the day. This can save you significant money on the power bill.

For example, during the winter months, you can have the thermostat automatically change to a cool temp as you leave for work. This keeps the house at a decent temperature while you are away. The temp can be increased slightly before your arrival.

A similar schedule can be set up if you are away on vacation.

Install New Locks on the Entry Doors

Contact a local locksmith and ask that they replace the main locks on the front and back doors.

You have no idea how many people had a key to your home before you moved in. It is a good idea to start on a clean slate and be the only owner of keys of the new place.

If you are handy with tools, you can also try to replace the locks on your own.

Test the Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Now is the time to put new batteries in both the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This gives you peace of mind that they have power to them, and you know how long the batteries should last based on the package for the batteries.

Make sure to test these items at least once per year to ensure they will alarm if necessary.

Locate the Main Breaker Box

You never know when you will have to reset an electrical breaker or shut off a breaker.

Go through the exterior and interior of the home to locate the main breaker box.

Label each breaker so that you are aware of which control will terminate electricity to what part of the house. If you need to replace something, such as a light fixture or major appliance, it may be necessary to shut off the breaker. Labeling each circuit will greatly help you in the future.

Replace the Filters for HVAC System

The filters for the heating and air conditioning system are the primary maintenance item to keep the system operating efficiently.

Replace these filters when you first move in. Plan to replace these filters once per month as long as you own the home.

Inspect Area Around Windows and Doors

Windows and doors can be a big drain on the heating and air condition system, and also allow in too much water, if they are not properly sealed.

First, see if there is too much air getting in around the frame of the windows and doors. For windows, you can add caulk to stop any air leaks. For doors, you can add weather stripping.

Make sure to use the right kind of caulk. There are different variations, one for the exterior of the window and one for the interior of the window.

If you add fresh caulk and weatherstripping to the windows and doors, this should last for a handful of years before it is time to replace it again.

Clean out Vent for Dryer

Your clothes dryer has an exhaust that pushes out air and lint to the outside of the home. Over time, this exhaust can get clogged up and needs to be cleaned.

Simply disconnect the power source for the dryer, pull the dryer away from the wall, then disconnect the exhaust tube from the dryer to the wall.

Now it is time to use a vacuum or leaf blower to clean out the vent exhaust tube that leads to the outside.

Once it is cleaned, re-connect the dryer exhaust tube and put the dryer back in place.

To optimize the dryer’s function, this process needs to be repeated every 6 months.

Inspect and Clean Gutters

The gutters divert water away from the home’s foundation. This is a very important part of the home.

Take time to first inspect the gutters to determine that they are all in good working order and there is no issue with the connection of the gutter to the home.

Next, remove all leaves, twigs, and other items out of the gutter. Spray some water in the gutter and notice the flow of water coming out of the ends.

The gutters will need to be cleaned at least once per year. If you have numerous trees around the home, you may need to clean out the gutters twice in the autumn season.

Check Seal on Deck

If your home has a deck, the wood needs to be properly sealed to protect against weather.

Spray some water on the deck. The water should immediately turn into small beads that pop up on the wood. If not, this means the water is soaking into the wood and will lead to rot.

If the water is soaking in, you will need to purchase a sealer and apply it to the deck. This is done in a manner very similar to painting with a roller.

After you have applied the sealer, the wood should be protected for at least one year. The seal will need to be tested yearly to prevent rot.

Final Thoughts on Home Maintenance For New Homeowners

Following these home maintenance suggestions should keep your home in good shape and allow you to enjoy the home for years to come.

Are you looking to update your kitchen? In 2021, there are several trends that are being adopted widely.

Kitchens are one of the most commonly used rooms in the entire house by many homeowners and families. You can spice up your current layout by considering one of these stunning and notable designs.

Renovating your kitchen is not only practical, but it can also add value to your property. If you have plans to sell your house in the future, an updated kitchen will typically increase your final sale price. Don’t skimp out on this renovation when altering the design.

Here are several popular items that homeowners typically upgrade:

• Countertops
• Sinks
• Faucets
• Lighting fixtures
• Backsplash
• Flooring

Now, let’s review the top kitchen design trends of 2021.

1.) Compact Design

When working with a smaller space, it is important to consider the layout so that you can utilize every available inch. It does not matter whether the kitchen space is narrow, wide, or broken up – compact designs can fit nearly any mold.

Popularized by tiny homes, a compact kitchen brings a modern and fresh look to your home. The design ensures maximum efficiency and minimal clutter while cooking in this room.

How do you design a compact kitchen? One way is to create a section of cabinets along one wall, leaving other walls open and creating more space.

Tall wall units are preferred as compared to narrow ones to maximize the space you have. You can also include a breakfast bar or kitchen island which provides an additional sitting area.

Many of these items can really help your home sell when the time comes.

2.) Dark Colors

Interior designers are more frequently incorporating dark colors into their kitchen designs. The shift towards darker tones is giving kitchens an entirely new feel in 2021.

They typically pair well with neutral grays and whites that you can find in many modern-style houses.

These colors allow a kitchen design to become extremely adaptable, as the owner can easily offset the darker countertops with light furniture and bright colors. This creates a feeling of sophistication and luxury and also ensures space pops out.

Accent colors with shades of black and dark gray are the most common for kitchens in 2021.

Dark tones and colors are used on surfaces where they are combined with textures of wood to achieve an inviting, rustic, homely charm.

3.) Pendant Lighting

Based on last year, people are spending more and more time at home. To counter that, homeowners have been getting creating with adding light to the interior of their property.

Designers are hanging multiple spotlights and light fixtures in one localized area of the kitchen since it’s one of the most frequently used rooms in the house. 

These lights take different heights and are grouped to create an abstract art piece. This particular style of lighting is unique and artistic.

It gives the kitchen a completely different feel. Tiny homes and unique Airbnb properties also have creative lighting fixtures like these.

4.) Bold Sink Faucets

Faucets are an essential element of the kitchen. Depending on the material – whether it’s gold, silver, brass, or copper – a kitchen’s faucet sets the tone of the room.

From modern to rustic, any theme or style can be embodied by the kitchen sink. Brass industrial taps with unique handles and other interesting features are currently very popular.

Designers are coupling these faucets with similar brass material in the cupboard and drawer grips to achieve a shine across the entire room.

The advancement of technology is even making this trend go a notch higher. Touchless faucets are hygienic and also bring a luxury ambiance to the kitchen.

5.) Concealed Appliances

Despite there being an influx of tech gadgets, homeowners are still embracing the idea of concealment.

Gone are the days when the kitchen used to be a place of clutter. The aesthetics of kitchen appliances and concealment options can be the difference in creating a modern kitchen design.

This trend comes in handy at a time when the open kitchen is being adopted widely. The integration of the kitchen into our living rooms is making them the hearts of our homes.

Therefore, presenting them as the most comfortable space has never been this important. The simple trick described will also help with home staging as well.

6.) Dining Islands

Who doesn’t want to be cooking while at the same time socializing? Island and breakfast bars offer an additional spot for dining and kitchen preparations, as well as storage space. In this type of design, there is an extension of the kitchen that features a countertop and storage space.

For some, it is the ideal breakfast area.

7.) Quartz & Quartzite Countertops

Quartz is the top trending choice for countertops today. Despite being popularized in past designs, engineered quartz is also on the trending list.

A benefit of these two materials is that manufacturers use natural materials in their production.

This material can make your countertop pop. Quartz and Quartzite create an ambiance of sophistication that cannot be compared to standard kitchen granites. Consider these when thinking about your next kitchen design. 

You can also spice up things in your kitchen by adding favorite pieces of art, live plants, and statement décor pieces. This will spring your kitchen back to life and make the time spent there happy moments worth cherishing.

Every day we see new and better designs for our kitchens. Moreover, the coming of the pandemic and shift in the normal order saw a lot of changes being introduced in our home spaces.

The situation forced us to remain in our homes, making us spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Thus, appearance is one of the factors put into consideration during the design process.

Conclusion

The trends in cabinetry, kitchen appliances, sinks, and backsplashes are revolutionizing the kitchen game.

Despite all these new trends being suitable for nearly any type of kitchen, consider consulting with a professional designer if you plan to do a large design change.

Professional expertise can help when navigating tough design decisions during the planning phase. Moreover, you will have an objective view of what is achievable and what is not based on various factors.