Tips help owners settle into new home

This week’s column was written by Miki Bass, CEO of the Arkansas Realtors Association.

When we moved into our home several years ago, we were tired and overwhelmed, and had no idea what we should do first. We cleaned and unpacked but then thought, “What should we tackle next?”

Here are a few tips I like to pass on to folks who are freshly ensconced in their new home.

• Change the exterior locks.

This is an important safety task and should be handled right away. If you install the locks yourself, you can spend as little as $10 per lock.

• Check the smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors.

This is another safety essential. Test all the home’s smoke and CO detectors. Be sure the batteries are installed properly, and replace them as necessary.

• Change out the air filters.

Dirty air filters can cause extensive damage to your HVAC system. A clean air filter means you are not constantly circulating dust, dust mites, pollen and other small particles in the air.

• Know where the important things are.

Know where your main water shutoff valve is in case you need to shut off the water to your entire house. Find the electrical panel so you know where to shut off the power to your whole house, or an individual circuit.

• Change the toilet seats.

OK, maybe this one is just me, but I believe it’s a good idea. If you prefer, you can remove and clean the toilet seats, and deepclean under the bolts and hinges.

As for me and my house, we replace the whole thing. Lots of germs live in a bathroom, and it just feels like a fresh start — out with the old and in with the new. You can replace a toilet seat for as little as $15.

• Buy the basics.

There are a few things that no home should be without.

You’ll need a basic tool kit that includes a claw hammer, flat-head and Phillips-head screwdrivers, a tape measure, a level, a crescent wrench and needle-nose pliers. Other must-haves include a fire extinguisher, a flashlight and batteries, duct tape (for us anyway) and a first-aid kit.

• Become a part of the neighborhood.

Extend a friendly gesture to your neighbors. A great way to meet your new neighbors is to spend time outdoors, maybe working in your yard or garden, or taking a walk around the block. You want to know the people around you so that everyone can look out for each other. You can also join a private social network for your neighborhood on sites such as nextdoor.com.

House to House is distributed by the Arkansas Realtors Association. For more information about homeownership in Arkansas, visit www.ArkansasRealtors.com.

...