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Q&A
About
 Homebuying
Q&A
About
Home Maintenance
and Repair
Benefits
of
Home Ownership
Living
in Your
New Neighborhood
About
Home
Owner's Insurance |
Should I attempt to make a repair myself?
If you attempt to make a repair yourself, make certain that you know how
to do it correctly. If you have any doubts, call a professional. There's
nothing worse than paying someone $500 to clean up after a repair where
you forgot to shut off the water before you started, especially when hiring
them in the first place only would have been $100.
What do I need to do regularly to keep my home in good shape?
There are several things you should do to keep up your home. You can learn
more about these in our Home Maintenance basics class, where our construction
consultants will help you put together an easy to use home maintenance
calendar.
What are some warning signs I should be aware of that indicate I may
need major repairs?
Be aware of any sort of water stains or other signs of water damage like
loosening floors around plumbing fixtures or moisture under carpets or
behind wallpaper. Water damage to a home can be very costly to repair,
and the longer it goes on the worse it will get.
Any sort of malfunction of plumbing or electrical work should be taken
care of right away, as should anything that poses a potential safety threat
like a crumbling cement stair or a loosened floor board.
How do I find a home inspector?
Home inspectors are often referred by word of mouth or you can find one
in the phone book. At The Home Ownership Center, our construction consultants
are certified home inspectors and can work with you whether you are purchasing
with one of our loans or with financing from another lender.
How do I know if I am paying too much for home repairs?
Before you authorize someone to do a repair on your house, get an estimate
up front. Also, consider getting estimates from two or three other people
before you make a decision whom to hire. Even if you go with the original
bidder, you'll have the peace of mind that his or her price was "in the
ballpark." This practice is common, and home service professionals should
allow you to do it without question.
What if I need a major repair and I can't afford it?
For health and safety related repairs, you may be eligible for special
programs. For other repairs, you may want to consider a second mortgage
or other type of loan. Talk with a Home Ownership Loan Officer to learn
more.
What is a home warranty?
A home warranty is similar to a warranty you would purchase on a new piece
of equipment like a stove or a stereo. Basically, it protects you in case
something goes wrong in your home in a designated period of time after
you purchase it. For example, if your furnace malfunctions one month after
you move into your home, and its covered under your one-year home warranty,
the cost to repair or replace it would be the responsibility of whoever
issued you the warranty. Usually the buyer or seller purchases the warranty
from a third party.
Not everything that could go wrong is covered by every warranty and you
may have to use certain repair companies. A home warranty can be a good
investment. Just be sure to read the fine print.
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