Many first-time homebuyers do not factor home maintenance costs into their budget after closing a deal. Buying a home comes with many expenses like closing costs, home inspection, down payments, and an appraisal fee. After buying the home, homeowners should set aside money for maintenance. Some of these costs might be regular, while others are less frequent. Neglecting these tasks can result in costly repairs. A first-time buyer should keep these home maintenance costs in mind.
New Locks
One of the first maintenance tasks a new homeowner should carry out is changing the house locks and keys. It is a good idea to change the locks immediately after moving into the home. You never know who the previous owner gave spare keys to.
Home Maintenance Costs for Lawn Care and Landscaping
If a first-time homeowner has a large yard, he or she should budget for a lawnmower, weed whacker, and tools like a shovel and rake. Depending on the size and type of the yard, it may be worth it to hire a landscaping company to take care of lawn maintenance. This way, you won’t need to find time to complete these tasks or buy and store the equipment.
HVAC Maintenance
Homeowners should check their HVAC system twice annually to identify problems early and make repairs. First-time buyers should ask about the HVAC’s last maintenance date and regardless of the system’s age, schedule regular checkups to avoid the emergency costs of an unexpected breakdown.
The HVAC operates most efficiently when its filters are replaced once per month. You’ll get the best price by purchasing these in bulk. Allergy-reducing HVAC filters that improve your indoor air quality are available at a higher price tag.
Duct Cleaning
Buyers should always clean the duct systems when moving into their new home, especially if the previous owner had pets. According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, the cost for duct cleaning depends on the size of the home, the number of ducts, environmental factors, and the contamination level.
Fire Safety Home Maintenance Costs
New homebuyers should always budget for fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke detectors to protect from fire hazards. For smoke and CO alarms, buyers should check that any existing units work properly, are fairly new, and are located in the correct places around the house. If the home has more than one level or if the first story windows are high off the ground, purchase fire ladders.
Secure Home Inspection Services provides home inspections to buyers in the Greater Buffalo area. Contact us to schedule our services.