Buying a home for the first time is a huge step for people who have always been renters. For potential buyers, with anticipation comes a lot of responsibility, especially when faced with all the maintenance that goes into a new home. Here are some guidelines that will save your wallet and keep your house in tip-top shape.

#1: Inspect Faucets, Toilets and Pipes

Plumbing is a service that tends to be pretty pricey, so ward off clogs and leaks now rather than later. In both your kitchen and your bathrooms, inspect for leaky sink faucets and leaks in pipework under the sink. Also, check each toilet in your house and make sure that each tank is properly functioning; you don’t want a running or clogged toilet. If you’re checking other pipe work, ask the builder of your home if they can provide you with a map of all the pipes throughout your home.

#2: Check Windows and Doors

It’s important that you check the seals that surround all of your windows and doors. By doing this, you prevent outside air from seeping in your home. If you inspect your seals immediately, you will cut back on costly future cooling and heating bills.

#3: Look Over Preceding A/C Maintenance Reports

Having air conditioning maintenance reports before moving into your new home will save you both trouble and money. These reports provide you with information about earlier problems your a/c unit has had. and give you the option to either diagnose the current problems of your air conditioning unit or just install a brand new air conditioner.

#4: Examine Safety Devices

To prevent smoke and annoying beeping sounds, make sure that you inspect all of the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Keep in mind that their batteries need to be replaced every two years. Be sure that you can easily locate at least one fire extinguisher in your home.

#5: Check Air Filters

Fresh air quality is something desired in every new home. Therefore, you should inspect the air filters of your new home right away. The quality of your air filter has a massive impact on the way your air conditioner runs. If your air filter contains a lot of dust and debris, you should probably consider having it replaced. When you install a new air filter, you prevent allergens like pollen and dust from getting into your new home.