Congratulations. You’re now a homeowner. You left your apartment in the city behind in favor of more bedrooms, a big kitchen, a playroom and grass. However, you also left your super behind as well. Now what will you do when the toilet overflows, the sink clogs, the hot water turns cold, water seeps into the basement….
You have two options. Call Dad. That may not be so helpful as the toilet continues to run.
The second option is to actually learn some basics about caring for your home and to learn to become your own super.
I’m happy to host a series of presentations focused on teaching new homeowners how to care for their new homes. Your house is likely your largest single asset and will probably be a source of required care in the coming years. The series will help prepare you for a future of minor and major home-related issues and will include speakers who are generalists as well as specific tradesmen, including plumbers, electricians and air conditioning/heating specialists.
The presentation will be focused on three concepts.
- Preemptive actions homeowners should take in caring for their home (changing air filters, clearing sewer pipes, cleaning gutters checking alarms).
- Small repairs. These are things all homeowners should be able to handle without the need to call a professional. This would include dealing with clogged sinks, overflowing toilets, simple painting jobs, changing light bulbs safely etc. This portion will also cover tools you should have on hand and how to use them.
- Large repairs. This will address how to handle larger issues where a professional is required. In these cases you may simply need your mother’s numbers, though it’s still a good idea to understand how to engage these professionals.
The first presentation will be held at Dougie’s on January 16 at 7 p.m. It will feature a local handyman and another professional tradesman. The first five respondents will receive a free 30-minute home walk-through review by the speaker, answering questions and providing specific tips on caring for your home.
For many people, their home becomes a member of the family. It’s more than just a place that provides shelter; it’s a place to celebrate during times of joy, to grieve at times of sorrow and to relax when you just want to chill. The better prepared and able you are to care for your home, the fewer problems you will face as you and your home age together.
Join us for a night out at Dougie’s and get some valuable information as well as good food. If you aren’t available on the 16th but would like to attend future presentations, please let me know and I’ll place you on our mailing list. If you’re still a prospective homeowner, this session is also for you.
By David Siegel
David Siegel is a Home Lending Officer with Citibank in the Englewood and Clifton offices. He can be reached at 917-270-0593 or david.siegel@ citi.com.
