So you’re finally a homeowner – congratulations! This is an important step in anyone’s life, and it’s absolutely normal to feel somewhat (or wildly) unprepared for the realities of owning a place of your own. What if there’s an emergency, or what if something breaks? Do you know what to do?
Here’s the good news: Like so many things in life, it’s not what you know; it’s who you know. Some homeowners take years to get all of these names and numbers in their mental address books or their smartphones, but if you start trying to find these essential people in your homeowners’ network early, then you’ll have an easier time handling any problems.
1. An insurance agent
If you have a mortgage loan on your home, then you’re going to need homeowners’ insurance, which protects the asset being backed — otherwise known as “your house” — from risk. And to get the best deals on insurance and make sure you’re fully covered for everything that needs to be addressed, you’ll probably need to talk one of our recommended insurance agents about your options.
You may be eligible for discounts on other insurance policies when you become a homeowner, like your car insurance. In addition, you may want to increase your coverage for policies like car insurance; now that you’re a homeowner, you have a big asset that could become part of a claim if you get into a bad car accident, you’re at fault, and your insurance doesn’t fully cover the other party’s damages or injuries.
A good insurance agent can make sure you’re covered from all angles so that you can get on with the business of living your life.
2. An experienced VA lender
No matter how many homes you have bought or sold, it is hard for even the full time pros to keep up with the ever changing VA lending guidelines. Whether you are purchasing, selling or refinancing, an experienced lender is worth their weight in gold. We have vetted and trained with experienced VA lenders and will be happy to recommend the best loan officer that fits your current needs.
3. A general contractor
As a homeowner, there are always going to be little things that need attention here and there, possibly as soon as you move in.
Chipped molding, holes in walls, broken windows, or doors that creak — whatever your issue, living with it might be fine for as long as you can stand it, but at some point, you’ll want your house to look as nice as it possibly can, even if that only happens right before you get ready to sell it. Maybe you want to do some renovations or even add a room, a shed, a garage, a deck … if that’s the case, it’s even more important to find a reliable general contractor.
A reliable general contractor is one that shows up on time and who can accurately quote a project so that you can budget for it. Reliable contractors can explain timelines, the cost of different materials, offer options, and get the job done on time.
4. A roofer
A roofer is different than a general contractor. Because they specialize in roofing, they can often do your job quicker and cheaper. Depending on the type of shingles on your roof, you may not need to get them replaced at all while you live in the house, but you can bet that when you decide to sell, any buyers are going to ask when the roof was last replaced.
Composition shingles usually last more than a decade but less than 20 years, wood shingles last somewhere between 20 and 25 years, and asphalt shingles can last anywhere from 15 to 30 years. If you’re not sure how much longer your roof has, then talking to a roofer and making any necessary repairs before they’re needed — so a leaking roof doesn’t damage your house — is a good move.
5. A real estate agent
Yes we said it and it's not a shameless plug. Of course you aren’t ready to sell your house as soon as you move in — but keeping in touch with us is still a good plan.
We are often the first to know not only who’s buying (and moving in) and who’s selling (and moving out), but also whether there are any new developments planned nearby, where the best restaurants and home improvement stores are located, if there’s a new hiking or biking trail planned, so we can help you plan the optimal time to sell and create a plan that will net you the largest bottom line while maintaining a stress free transition..
When you are ready to sell, we can help you decide what needs to be changed or fixed to make your home one of the most enticing in the neighborhood, how to price the place, and guide you from beginning to end. We strive to maintained our relationship over time and are here for you long after you close on your house and move in.