Tony Hawkins, ABR
Real Estate Broker / Instructor
Office: (919) 491-7254
tony@tonyhawkinsre.com
Tony Hawkins, ABR
North Carolina Real Estate Broker / Instructor
Must-Do’s For the New & Established Homeowner
From The Hawk's Cry - April 2004
Once you buy or move into a home, it's so easy to kick back and let things run on autopilot. Unfortunately, houses don't take care of themselves. As 2004 begins, vow to be as good to your house as you'd like it to be to you. (You don't want your house to let you down by leaking during spring rains -- and your house doesn't want YOU to let it down by ignoring the curling roof shingles.)
While you may consider the following ideas as merely take-'em-or-leave-'em tips, take them more seriously by RESOLVING to follow through:
· Learn where the water shut-offs are (both under sinks and toilets, as well as the house's main valve). Do the same for the gas line. Find the fuse box (aka: electric panel) and use your spouse or a friend to help you mark which fuse goes to which rooms or outlets.
· Install GFI (ground fault interrupter) outlets near any water source -- usually kitchen and bathroom sinks -- and anywhere else you want one. When a circuit is overloaded, electricity to that outlet is automatically shut off.
· Take the time to record and document all your furnishings/personal property in the house, and store it safely away; i.e. safe deposit box, a computer disc at your relative’s house. Insurance companies are changing the rules of the game constantly regarding loss and claims. Please be prepared. I pray you don’t need the information, but if you should-you’ll have it.
· Spring is on the way. Schedule now the day, week or weekend to really clean out the garage and basement; clean any overhead lights; paint or touch-up where needed; get additional electrical/cable/phone outlets added where you want them; do the yard thing and do a clean sweep of cabinets and closets so everything is fresh and tidy before you take off to enjoy the warm weather.
· If something breaks, repair it immediately. Little problems can turn into big problems if they're not fixed.
· Take just 15 minutes each evening before you go to bed. Waking up to a clean living room and clean sink is so much nicer than waking up to a tornado of newspapers, toys, mail and dirty dishes.
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Tony Hawkins, ABR
Real Estate Broker / Instructor
Office Direct: (919) 491-7254
tony@tonyhawkinsre.com
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