Buying a new home is an exciting process, especially for first-time homeowners. With all that excitement, one thing that first-time home buyers don’t tend to think about is the need to keep up with home maintenance and repairs. The good news is that if you’re buying a new construction home, maintenance will be easy. However, there are some crucial tips to keep in mind. Here are a few maintenance tips that are often overlooked by new homeowners.
Change Your HVAC Filters Twice Per Year
If you aren’t purchasing a brand-new home, you should swap out your HVAC filters right when you move in. Otherwise, you can wait about six months to do this easy task. Particularly in Arizona, your HVAC system can collect lots of dust and debris, which gets caught in the filters. Over time, however, filters become clogged and jam up your vents—while letting more dust and particulates blow through the house. Changing the filters twice annually will prevent these issues.
Assemble a Basic Toolbox
You won’t want to wait until things start breaking around the house to purchase tools to make small repairs. When you purchase your home, make sure you have a toolbox ready with a hammer, screwdrivers, a tape measure, duct tape, Allen keys, a flashlight, and a wrench set. These tools will let you make most household repairs, so you don’t have to run to the hardware store every time something goes wrong. It’s also helpful to get a ladder, a level, an extension cord, and a hose.
Watch Your Energy Bills
One of the first signs that you need home maintenance will be a spike in your utility bills. If you’re suddenly using more water on a monthly basis, you know it may be time to call a plumber. If your cooling costs are through the roof, you may need A/C maintenance or a home energy audit to identify leaks around your windows and doors.
When you purchase a home from Castle & Cooke, you can rest easy that your house will meet our high standards of safety, efficiency, and aesthetics. If you are looking to buy a home in Sierra Vista or Fort Huachuca, check out our inventory of move-in ready homes on our website or by calling (520) 378-5110.