Greenwch Real Estate News - Tools for First Time Owners

There are a lot of details to take care of when you are buying your first home. Paperwork, hiring a moving company, getting packed and preparing to move into your new home are probably at the very forefront of your thoughts, but there is one more thing you should be thinking about as you prepare to move in.

If you have been renting for the past several years, you probably have not had to do any repairs and haven’t had a lot of use for anything much more than a basic tool set. When you buy a home, that changes. All of the sudden, you are responsible for fixing everything from leaky windows to broken cabinets. A hammer and screwdriver just isn’t enough anymore. Before moving in, or within the first few weeks, you’ll want to go out and pick up some essential tools to keep around your home.

Start with a basic tool kit, and keep it someplace very convenient. You won’t want to run out to the garage every time you want to hang a picture or measure something. A basic tool kit contains a hammer, screwdriver, wrench, level and measuring tape. Better kits might have a few other small tools thrown in.

There are a few smaller, essential purchases that you’ll want to add to your tool collection, starting with a utility knife. These are super handy when you’re unpacking, but are also something that you’ll reach for often to help you cut everything from packaging to drywall. You’ll also want a variety of clamps, nails, screws and other fasteners. For quick repairs, pick up a bottle of wood glue. Many homeowners would also recommend a quality caulk gun, for resealing showers, cabinets, and any number of other areas around the home.

The worst time to realize that you need plumbing tools is when you really need plumbing tools. Right then, because the toilet, sink or shower is clogged or maybe you even have water coming up the drain. Pick up a couple of plumbing snakes (at least two different sizes—one larger and one smaller) and a few plungers. You’ll want one for each toilet, and then at least one more for use on sinks and showers.

Most power tools aren’t essential unless you’re tackling some big repairs, but there are two that every home owner should have. Start with a power drill. You will use it a lot when you are moving in, for hanging things on the walls, but it’s also something that will see a lot of regular use. Most homeowners use their power drill more than any other household tool. You will also want a saw, either manual or a table saw. You may not need it right away, but eventually you’ll be faced with a repair or remodeling project that will require a saw.

You’ll also want to pick up a book on basic home maintenance. A good book will explain painting, plumbing, drywall repair, and numerous other simple projects that most homeowners can handle on their own.

Greenwich Real Estate News - After the Movers Leave

You bought a house, packed up all of your belongings, and hired a moving company. Now, you are standing in your new home, the movers are pulling out of the driveway, and you feel…

Overwhelmed. Everything you own is in a box, scattered around the house. Or, more likely, stacked in what will, someday, be your living room. So, where do you start?

First things first—you will need a place to sleep tonight, and so will your family. Set up the beds first. Ideally, you have all of the bed linens in one box, and it’s labeled and easy to find. Once the beds are set up, unpack all of your toiletries.

At this point, concentrate on getting boxes to the right rooms. Don’t start unpacking until all of the boxes have a home, and then tackle one room at a time. If you have wrapped your dishes in newspapers or something similar, they will need to be washed. Pop the first load into the dishwasher while you start on the bedrooms. Put dressers and other furniture back together, and start putting things away, one box at a time. Break down and stack empty boxes in an out of the way area when you’re done with them.

As the dishes finish up, start putting them into the cupboards. Your perishable foods should already be taken care of, but now you should start on the rest of it. It might take a little while to figure out how you want to organize your new kitchen. Remember that you can always change things around later; right now, you just need to get everything out of the boxes and in some sort of order in the cupboards. Unpack and put away appliances and anything else that belongs in the kitchen while you are at it.

Put together the rest of your furniture. Don’t worry too much about where it is going right now. Just make sure it is in the right room. Next, start setting up offices, entertainment centers, and other electronic areas. Before you begin setting them up, though, look for your outlets. There is nothing worse than getting everything all set, only to realize that the cord is just a little bit to short to reach a power source.

Start unpacking each room. Put books on shelves, stack toys into toy chests. This is the longest, and most frustrating part of the unpacking process. It probably seems like it will never end! It’s okay to take breaks, and to let this task stretch out over several days. Just remember to keep boxes waiting to be packed set out of the way, and to take care of the empty boxes as you clear them out.

Seasonal or seldom-used items can go into storage, without being unpacked. Carefully label each box before storing it, and then pack it away in the attic, basement, garage, closet, or where ever else you are using for storage.

Unpacking takes a while, a long while. Just remember to do it in small chunks and take breaks. Don’t think you need to have everything done within a day or two. Unpack what you need, and then unpack as you can after that, even if it is only a box or two a day.

Greenwich Real Estate News - Becoming a Habitat for Humanity Homeowner

Many people have heard of Habitat for Humanity, but many people do not know exactly what the organization does or how becoming a homeowner for these homes actually works. The homes are not just given to the homeless, nor are they exactly free. If you are first time home buyer, you may want to look into the program as it may be a good idea for you and your family’s first home. Here are some tips on being a habitat for Humanity Homeowner to help make the process easier for everyone involved.

Ask your Greenwich real estate agent for advice
Real estate agents have experience with selling property and they probably know useful information about programs like these. They could help you figure out if this program may be a good option for you.

Applicants still have to go through a screening process for this program
This means that applications still need to meet certain qualifications such as low income guidelines, approval requirements, five hundred hours of sweat (working) equity, and pay mortgages, taxes, and insurance on the home.

This program is not government funded
Habitat for Humanity gets funds and help from the community, corporations, grants, and other organization donations

Mortgages are based on 30 percent of a home owner’s net income
Other conditions to becoming a homeowner include working on other homes first, maybe waiting up to five years to own a home, and they cannot be immediately resold for profits.

Donation of time and or money is required
Donating up to at least five hundred hours in building as well as supplies or money is a requirement to becoming a possible homeowner.

If you are first time buyer and do not have much income and would like to help out your community while helping out you and your family, then becoming a Habitat for Humanity homeowner may be just right for you. It may take time, but once it’s all finished and you can live in your new home, you will be proud of the work you did for yourself and your family for years into the future.