Buying Your First Home? Learn These 5 Essential Home Maintenance Skills as Soon as Possible

New homes can be scary. But when you take the time to think about it, and plan ahead, maintaining a home is easier than you think a manageable mix of experience and common sense. Here are five skills that will help maintain your new home for years to come.

Fixing A Toilet

It’s not as daunting as it sounds. Just remember that toilets work with gravity the water wants to flow freely. Don’t be afraid to open that tank up and adjust the floater and valves as needed. Occasionally run the water (flush the toilet, turn on the sink) in unused rooms, like the guest bathroom, to keep the pipes clear and functioning.

Dealing With Animals

Sometimes your animal neighbors invite themselves in. While it’s always better to use professionals if you have a large-scale or persistent pest problem, there are steps you can take to minimize animal visitors before it comes to that. Check for termites by looking for raised, hollow tubes along the wood (tubes filled with bugs). If you have mice, and know how they’re getting in, block their holes with steel wool and set friendly traps ones that capture instead of kill. But make sure to release the captives far from your home.

Electricity and Water Awareness

Know how to shut off your electricity and water, just in case. Find the shut-offs when you first move in. And take the time then to test the breakers and label them, clearly, directly, with permanent marker. That way there is no confusion if one gets tripped.

A Regular Deep Clean

On a regular basis, give your house a deep clean. Scrub the bathrooms, clean the kitchen appliances and floors/walls. Doing this will not only prevent the accumulation of dirt and grime, which could lead to bigger problems later on, but will also give you a chance to do a run-down of your house and see what needs fixing/updating/replacing.

Be Prepared

Gather your home maintenance kit (Home Maintenance for Dummies has examples) before you need it, and keep it up if you use all the nails, replace them. It’s also a good idea to make a maintenance calendar with notes on what needs to be done when this makes it easy for the homeowner, and anyone they need to step in. Finally, in being prepared, don’t forget to maintain your fire and carbon monoxide detectors with regular checks and battery changes (suggested every six months, regardless of battery life).

Your first step in preparation is to contact me to find you the perfect home – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

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18009 W Avenida Del Sol -- Surprise, AZ 85387

$459,180

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,476 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6681723

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Come see the size of this master bedroom closet!! Trending to close at the end of March. An amazing layout with 4 bedrooms, and 3 baths w/ loft. In addition to being energy efficient and a Smart Home, the many upgrades make this one stand out. Great curb appeal, good size yard, great for entertaining. Two-tone paint, 9' ceilings. Nice Flagstone cabinets, granite kitchen and baths, island, and walk in pantry. Lots of room to cook and move around!

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10335 W Romley Road Tolleson, AZ 85353

$459,035

4 Beds

2 Baths

2,091 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6691222

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Brand New Home w/May Move-In. This Spacious Home Is Sure To Please All Family Members with Large Secondary Bedrooms, Owners Suite w/Spacious Walk In Closet & YES Wonderful Open Kitchen/Great Room Too, ''A MUST SEE''. New Home Sweet Home. Being Built w/4Bdrms, 2 Baths & 2 Car Garage & Double Gate+GORGEOUS KITCHEN With Amazing Island with Lots of Cabinets & Countertop Space, Stainless Steel Appliances, Upgraded Flagstone Cabinets, Gorgeous Quartz Kitchen Countertops, Double Door Pantry, 6x36 Wood Look Tile throughout except bedrooms. Nice Size Backyard for Future Oasis+ Includes Blinds & Garage Opener too. Energy Star & Smart Home Features + More. Visit our exciting community in Beautiful Tolleson! Pictures Are Interior/Exterior Photos Of Same Floor Plan/Other Omni Home, Options Will Vary

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Safford AZ 85546

$459,000

3 Beds

2.5 Baths

1,572 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6599750

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Horse Property & home that is ready for you to bring your family & your horses. The barn has 2 stalls with runs, 4 additional runs with feeders, wash station, tack room, half bath, two hitching posts, a 50' arena ring & large pasture. Also, on this 2.7 acre property located on the North side of the Gila River is a 1572 sq ft 3-bedroom, 2 bath well-built brick home that was remodeled in 2007. Large kitchen with island and wine cooler, granite counter tops & SS refrigerator. Nice tile floors in main areas, very large laundry room, plenty of storage, double pane windows and indoor shutters. There's a nice large workshop, fenced backyard, a fenced-in garden & raised garden beds as well. Plenty of parking areas too. This is certainly a must-see property to appreciate all that it has to offer!

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7950 E Starlight Way Scottsdale, AZ 85250

$459,000

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,266 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6608238

Property Type Apartment

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Great investment with Tenant in Place! Close to Old Town Scottsdale! Super clean updated unit has wide plank flooring, built-ins, walk-in closet, and a wood burning and updated fireplace. This open floor plan is all on one level. Full size washer and dryer, newer AC unit, remodeled master bathroom w/ jetted tub & separate shower. Rare to find a condo with this much outdoor space. living room & bedroom have exits on to large covered patio & backyard. Community boasts resort-style sparkling pool & spa. BBQ & ramada surrounded with deck chairs and tables. Across from 100-acre Chaparral Park & community center that features a fishing pier. There is also walking and bike pathways, a nearby dog park, sports courts, playground, and so much more!

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