After Buying a Home: Starter Guide
Before Taking Ownership
After buying a home, the starting point should be with the inspection report to see if there are any important issues that need to be taken care of as soon as possible. After that, rank the importance of which items need to be addressed.
The Most Impact for the Least Money
If you’re looking for the highest impact with the lowest barrier to entry, start with paint. It is arguably the easiest task and will make the spaces feel your own.
Paint can shift the entire mood of a room so getting small samples is important to finding the proper shade of the color you’re looking to paint a room. There really is no risk to painting, if you end up not liking the color, it is an easy thing to change!
I would highly recommend checking out your local paint shop instead of a big box store. They will be able to properly help you with selecting the right paint for the application and the paint quality is so much better than that sold by retailers.
Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore have my favorite lines. Which one I select depends on the application.
Plan Renovations Smartly
Inspiration might have struck the moment you walked through the door on the first home tour or might develop once you've moved in. Either way, getting a professional opinion can really help with turning your new house into the home you actually imagined.
Planning out ideas sooner rather than later can be a real help in figuring out the logistics of getting the renovations done or being able to schedule the quality trades since most people have a long wait time these days. It also allows for budgeting!
If you have general ideas, don’t hesitate to send me an email at [email protected]. Sometimes writing down your ideas can be helpful in figuring out what you want to do and I can give you a few ideas or recommendations.
Efficiency: The Upgrade that Pays for Itself
Sustainability doesn't always require a massive investment. Some small steps can really help in improving your home’s performance.
- Energy Assessments: Check if your local utility provider offers free energy audits (Xcel for Denver).
- Sprinkler Assessment: Check if your local water company offers free sprinkler assessments or if they provide rebates for low-water planting (Resource Central).
- Thermal Sensors: Many local libraries now have draft meters available for checkout. (Denver Library)
Using the tools that are freely available combined with doing your own survey, you can make your home more efficient. Go around the exterior of your house and look for gaps in the exterior walls. Make sure that they aren’t for venting and then take a simple canister of spray foam, caulk, or new weather stripping to seal the gaps. This can vastly improve indoor air quality and slash your heating/cooling bills and prevent any pests.
Curb Appeal with a Purpose
Exterior changes are often the most visually impactful. This can be improved in a couple of ways:
- Replacing parts of a thirsty lawn with xeriscape plantings completely changes the house's presence and adds a personal touch. My guide on Coloradoscaping, a local water-wise solution for the Front Range.
- Updating the look of your front facade. Sometimes it just takes a coat of paint or a little more shaping of the front might really make your home pop. Small investments can really exponentially increase the value and make your house feel yours.
Seasonal Maintenance
We often neglect the exterior because problems like water infiltration develop slowly. However, consistent visual checks are vital. Something as simple as a clogged gutter or downspout can be the beginning of the end for a foundation. Ensure downspouts are clear and water is able to move away from your house. If water collects at the base of your home, foundations can crumble over decades. Fixing a gutter today prevents a five-figure foundation repair tomorrow.
