It’s official. I’m going to be a homeowner in less than three weeks. Proof of the change?
The last gift cards I ordered through my rewards program were Circuit City gift cards and they went towards buying my big-screen TV.
I just ordered a Home Depot gift card.
Yep.
I’m shifting my priorities.
Even worse, I’m starting to think in terms of doing things I’ve never done before: Like switching out the crappy thermostat to a digital thermostat as soon as I get the chance to buy one. And, uh, learn how to do it.
My brother the contractor may actually spend some time with me when I first move in. That, of course, would be the best of all possible worlds. Not only would he do the thermostat-switching, but I’m pretty sure he would screen in my deck and do anything else I would ordinarily have to pay someone to do.
Here’s hoping his condo sells quickly.
Congratulations. Now it’s time to get a mess of tools for the time when you actually need them. Some really useful items include: a set of screwdrivers (both flat-head and Philips-head, in an assortment of sizes, including some small ones), a basic socket-wrench set (with both metric and SAE-size sockets), a pliers, an adjustable wrench, a drill (preferably one that can double-up as a power screwdriver), a hammer, and a level.
If you think you’re going to be doing yard work, a few other (unfortunately, more expensive) items will also come in handy: a weed-whacker, a hedge trimmer, and a saw of some kind.
If you have a driveway, seriously consider a snowblower. You’ll only need it once or twice a year in VA, but when you do, you’ll really appreciate it.
You’ll probably find that basic home repair isn’t very difficult. Some of the jobs (like plumbing) may be cumbersome and/or messy, but the basic stuff isn’t hard. Things like replacing a thermostat, replacing a faucet, replacing an electric outlet, etc. are all pretty easy. Many places (including Home Depot) sell well-illustrated books on how to perform basic home repair jobs.
A snowblower? In Virginia? That seems like a bit of a luxury.
A great book is the “Reader’s Digest New Complete Do-it-Yourself Manual”. Lots of great tips. It helps you do things like minor electrical work, upgrading or repairing light fixtures, fixing damaged drywall (actually quite easy and fun), caulking your bathtub, etc.
Congrats!
You will really like a digital thermostat. Make sure you get the kind that is programmable for weekdays, and weekends, that way you will atomatically wake up, and come home to the temperature that you decide on, seven days a week.
I highly recomemnd getting the best Honeywell unit available, the minor extra cost amortized over many years is well worth it.
Installation is very easy, the wires and connectors are typically color coded and foolproof.
Keep us posted, and ask questions, maybe one of us long time home owners can provide a quick and simple, economical solution.
Good luck!
A snow blower is more than a luxury for me. It’s a waste of money. I’m buying a condo, which means the association is responsible for snow removal.
I have tools. Not a drill, yet, but I should probably get one. As for the rest, well, we’ll see.
Er… a word of caution while we are at it. The horrors of using a relative for a contractor are not yet described adequately in psychiatric or any other professional (or not) literature.
Tales I could tell – and all this from making this mistake once!
Hope the closing will go smoothly and that the cats won’t have too much moving anxiety.
BTW,if it snows enough in metro DC for your condo to use a plow or a snowblower, everything will have shut down anyway.
chsw (ex-DC)
Snoopy, you misunderstand. My brother may be staying with me while he travels on to Florida, and it may be for a while. I’ve been encouraging him to look at Richmond as a possible place to settle down. So any work he will do will be rent payment.
chsw, yeah, but I telecommute. No snow days for me.
Oh… uhu… sorry.