Buying Your First Home? Learn These 5 Essential Home Maintenance Skills as Soon as Possible

New homes can be scary. But when you take the time to think about it, and plan ahead, maintaining a home is easier than you think a manageable mix of experience and common sense. Here are five skills that will help maintain your new home for years to come.

Fixing A Toilet

It’s not as daunting as it sounds. Just remember that toilets work with gravity the water wants to flow freely. Don’t be afraid to open that tank up and adjust the floater and valves as needed. Occasionally run the water (flush the toilet, turn on the sink) in unused rooms, like the guest bathroom, to keep the pipes clear and functioning.

Dealing With Animals

Sometimes your animal neighbors invite themselves in. While it’s always better to use professionals if you have a large-scale or persistent pest problem, there are steps you can take to minimize animal visitors before it comes to that. Check for termites by looking for raised, hollow tubes along the wood (tubes filled with bugs). If you have mice, and know how they’re getting in, block their holes with steel wool and set friendly traps ones that capture instead of kill. But make sure to release the captives far from your home.

Electricity and Water Awareness

Know how to shut off your electricity and water, just in case. Find the shut-offs when you first move in. And take the time then to test the breakers and label them, clearly, directly, with permanent marker. That way there is no confusion if one gets tripped.

A Regular Deep Clean

On a regular basis, give your house a deep clean. Scrub the bathrooms, clean the kitchen appliances and floors/walls. Doing this will not only prevent the accumulation of dirt and grime, which could lead to bigger problems later on, but will also give you a chance to do a run-down of your house and see what needs fixing/updating/replacing.

Be Prepared

Gather your home maintenance kit (Home Maintenance for Dummies has examples) before you need it, and keep it up if you use all the nails, replace them. It’s also a good idea to make a maintenance calendar with notes on what needs to be done when this makes it easy for the homeowner, and anyone they need to step in. Finally, in being prepared, don’t forget to maintain your fire and carbon monoxide detectors with regular checks and battery changes (suggested every six months, regardless of battery life).

Your first step in preparation is to contact me to find you the perfect home – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

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6109 S 68th Avenue Laveen, AZ 85339

$549,000

5 Beds

3 Baths

3,402 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6781655

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Your new home is waiting for YOU! This well maintained home offers 2 car garage, extended driveway for extra parking, RV gate, and low maintenance front yard. Incredible inside offers plank style laminate and tile, No carpet, 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, formal living & dining rooms, den/office that could easily be used as another bedroom, and large loft area can be used for a bonus room or pool table. Chef's kitchen is comprised of Stainless Steel appliances, Gas Stove, island, mosaic backsplash, walk-in pantry, and ample counter/cabinet space. Upstairs master suite includes walk-in closet, full bath, dual sinks, separate tub, and step-in shower. Huge backyard has built-in BBQ & covered patio extended with pavers. The Lot is almost 1/3 Acre! HUGE RV Gate area and plenty of space to use it! 3 Bay Garage/ 2 door entry, tone of extra space. Whole house sprinkler system. Close to Freeways, Sprouts, Home Depot and restaurants. Trailside Point community park features a fishing lake, water splash pad and covered play area. The Laveen Schools are rated A+! Don't miss this opportunity!

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11407 W Duane Lane Peoria, AZ 85383

$549,000

3 Beds

2.5 Baths

1,902 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6782259

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

This Stunning 3 Bedroom 2.5 Bath Features a Chefs Kitchen with gas Cooktop and Quartz Countertops, Built in Microwave and Oven, New RO System 10/2024. Stainless Steel Refrigerator Backsplash pendant lighting and a Large Pantry. Master bath has a Tiled super shower with rainfall Shower Heads, Jack and Jill Bath connects other Bedrooms. Raised vanities and Walk in Closets in all Bedrooms. Half a bath in hall way.8 ft doors highlight the interior with 5 1/4 Baseboards and upgraded lighting and fixtures, Matte Black throughout. The home also has Wood look Porcelain Tile and Upgraded Honeywell Thermostats with remote Via App. A 12' Multi Glass Sliding Door Leads to to an Extended Covered Patio and a Fully Landscaped Back Yard. Other Features Include Satellite Rewired, Water softener .

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22807 E Via Del Palo -- Queen Creek, AZ 85142

$549,000

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,710 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6783813

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Gorgeous 3 bed 2 bath Queen Creek gem. This must see home has loads of upgrades in all the right places. Tucked on a corner lot, on a sweet tree lined street in the highly desirable Harvest at Meridian community. Thoughtful builder upgrades including premium tile in all main living areas and upgraded carpet in the EXTENDED bedrooms. A premium cabinet package that has been professionally refinished, custom backsplash, gas cooktop, EXTENDED garage, upgraded bathroom package, premium countertops, high soft close toilets, upgraded electrical outlets, spray foam insulation, new pendant lighting, custom screen door, soft water system, custom sunscreens, complete with a 100K backyard Oasis, featuring gorgeous green turf and a stunning oversized 6 1/2 ft deep pool with Baja step and waterfall. Multiple walk-in closets, and loads of charm throughout. Complete with amazing community amenities. Including a splashpad, community pool, community garden, playground, walking paths, within walking distance to highly desirable Queen Creek schools. Close to amazing shopping, dining and entertainment alike. Enjoy fireworks from Schnepf Farms multiple times a year from the backyard patio, just 7 minutes to Frontier Family Park, 6 minutes to Schnepf Farms, and only 5 minutes to Queen Creek Olive Mill Market. With amazing freeway access this beautiful home sits right in the heart of Queen Creek.

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714 N Fox Hill Circle Payson, AZ 85541

$549,000

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,695 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6784866

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Step into this beautiful single level home in Woodhill Subdivision, nestled into a beautiful cul-de-sac lot with lots of mature natural trees. Very private backyard which backs to undeveloped land, south side has a large dog turn out which allows for more privacy. This home features an open floor plan which provides a seamless flow between living, dining and kitchen. Living room boasts with large windows giving it lots of natural lighting, vaulted ceilings, cozy fireplace adds warmth and charm! This is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, split floor plan, vaulted ceilings, electronic blinds on some of the windows, walk-in closet, en-suite with dual sinks and walk in tiled shower. Private backyard with covered patio Don't miss out on this one!

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