advice for first time home buyer

Cycl1

Well-Known Member
Mar 14, 2012
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North Liberty
Buying our first house, and will be moving out of an apartment. What things do you need at a house that you don't need living the apartment life. Thanks!
 

oldman

Well-Known Member
Nov 5, 2009
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You'll need a lawnmower (probably good buys right now) Snow shovel, weed wacker, waterhose (at least 100') and other various outdoor items.
 

FDWxMan

Well-Known Member
Jan 31, 2009
3,131
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Des Moines
Buying our first house, and will be moving out of an apartment. What things do you need at a house that you don't need living the apartment life. Thanks!

Snowblower/shovel/rake/hoses/mower

More tools (if it's broke, you have to fix it. Plus, always good to have an excuse to get more tools, especially power tools).

Deep freezer for meat or an extra fridge is nice, though that's probably more of a luxury after you get your feet under you.

Seriously though, tools are a good idea because you don't want to have to pay repairmen to fix every little thing.



And for my smart *** answer...
More $$$ (crap breaks, lots of things pop up that you never think of until it's your property/your responsibility)
 
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im4cyclones

Well-Known Member
Jun 14, 2010
3,937
671
113
Ames, IA
Lawn mower. Snow blower. Tools. A handy relative/friend who knows electrical, plumbing, construction, wood-working, landscaping, heating/cooling. Oh, and a truck. Need a truck or a friend who has one.

If you can line those things up, I think you are sitting pretty good!
 

2020cy

Well-Known Member
Aug 7, 2006
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Make sure you have a good roof, foundation, and windows. Those are big bucks to fix, takes away $ from your toys and man cave with big screen.
 

Cycl1

Well-Known Member
Mar 14, 2012
8,506
1,890
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North Liberty
Lawn mower. Snow blower. Tools. A handy relative/friend who knows electrical, plumbing, construction, wood-working, landscaping, heating/cooling. Oh, and a truck. Need a truck or a friend who has one.

If you can line those things up, I think you are sitting pretty good!


:eek:
 

abe2010

Well-Known Member
Jan 14, 2009
1,437
111
63
Story City, IA
if there's a woman involved excessive amounts of seasonal decorations that you have to change out every month and take up a good chunk of your storage space
 
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agardini

Well-Known Member
Nov 12, 2009
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Don't get into a HOA (homeowners association). Even though it is your house they dictate what you can and can't do to the appearance of your house, what you can put in your yard, how you finish your basement(if not already finished).
 

3TrueFans

Just a Happily Married Man
Sep 10, 2009
63,258
61,960
113
Ames
Get some rope. You never know what you're going to need it for but you always end up using it.

Also a bat cave.
 

3TrueFans

Just a Happily Married Man
Sep 10, 2009
63,258
61,960
113
Ames
Don't get into a HOA (homeowners association). Even though it is your house they dictate what you can and can't do to the appearance of your house, what you can put in your yard, how you finish your basement(if not already finished).
I always wondered, what's the penalty if you live in a place with an HOA like that but don't follow any of it?
 

aeroclone

Well-Known Member
Oct 30, 2006
10,374
7,196
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Don't get into a HOA (homeowners association). Even though it is your house they dictate what you can and can't do to the appearance of your house, what you can put in your yard, how you finish your basement(if not already finished).

I would actually go the other direction as I have found our HOA to be a positive thing overall. Ours doesn't dictate anything inside the house, and as far as outside as long as you aren't totally out of line they don't bother you. They provide a degree of protection from the white trash hawk fan that moves in next door and decides to strew used car parts all over their front lawn.
 

oldman

Well-Known Member
Nov 5, 2009
8,771
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I agree with the tools. Power drill and power screwdriver with a bunch of attachments. Skilsaw is handy, but I got by with a handsaw for a number of years. Vice-grips, channel-lock pliers. Got a birthday coming up? Ask for gift cards to Sears. You'll (eventually) be replacing faucets, toilet innards, putting up shelving, hanging curtains, replacing ceiling fans -- the list goes on and on.
 

geburgess

Well-Known Member
Jan 19, 2010
2,381
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36
WDM, IA
I always wondered, what's the penalty if you live in a place with an HOA like that but don't follow any of it?

I work in the mortgage industry and see properties with HOAs all around the country all the time. Its fines at first, which usually become liens if unpaid long enough and the HOA feels like filing said lien. Then, depending on the HOA covenants and restrictions, they can actually foreclose on your property if the amount unpaid is great enough. HOAs are no laughing matter.
 

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