As you sit surrounded by boxes to unpack in your new home, remember to take some time to learn about your new home. Being familiar with systems and features will help you defeat potential frustrations in the near future.
Review the Inspection Report
Though you likely reviewed the inspection report prior to signing, it’s a good idea to review it once you’ve moved in. Look at each item on the list in need of repair and inspect to decide what action you’ll take. Keep an ongoing list of potential upcoming repairs and long-term needs such as when a new roof may be needed. This will help you plan for financing and awareness of home repair needs.
Circuit Breaker
The electrical breaker box equipped in your home should be properly labeled. This will help you know which ones control which parts of your home. If a power ‘overload’ trips the breaker, which can occur in bathrooms or kitchens, it will be easy to reset it by flipping the switch. It’s also important to keep access clear to the circuit breaker. In an emergency, you’ll be able to reset or turn off the necessary breakers.
Water and Gas Shutoffs
Finding the shutoff valves during an emergency can lead to additional damage or disaster. Gas shutoff valves are usually outside your home and a pipe or crescent wrench will be needed to turn it off. It is rare to have to shut off the natural gas unless you can smell or hear gas escaping. On the other hand, water shutoff valves are generally located in the basement or an outside wall of a utility closet. It’s important to know this for any plumbing repairs, since you’ll need to turn off the water completely. Also be sure to familiarize yourself with the sprinkler system if you have one.
Thermostats
There will be at least two thermostats you should locate, one for water, and one for your HVAC system. If you have gas fireplaces they will have individual thermostats. For the water heater, make sure it wasn’t set at an away setting or too hot of a setting. Generally, setting the water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit is the recommended setting by EnergyStar.gov. This temperature is also best to stave off potential burns if you have young children. For the HVAC and any fireplaces, be sure to check how they functions. If anything is programmable, you may need to set if for your family’s comfort levels. Keep in mind, your new home’s systems may work differently than the previous home, so it may take some trial and error to get things to the right levels of comfort.
Appliance Manuals
Previous homeowners will often leave a stack of user manuals for all major appliances. If not, you can usually find these online through manufacturers websites. It’s also good to look over the appliances and complete any needed cleaning or small repairs. You may also be able to find out if anything is covered under a warranty.
At Total Lending Concepts, we are interested in helping you throughout every part of the process — not just the mortgage. CONTACT US TODAY to learn more.
