What were the surprises with your first home?

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Permalink Reply by Marita Topmiller on June 24, 2008 at 6:21pm

Great area, Stephen. Congratulations. Tools: hammer/nails, glue, toilet paper. Don't forget to bring your
pizza coupons from the frig door. You can eat a lot of pizza while emptying boxes. Spoke to my sister
who lived in the area and she recommends Pucini's Smiling Teeth for dinner. I just sold a home on Nashua
Ct and my buyers recommend the Mexican restaurant on the south corner of 86th and Ditch - Cancun.
Sounds like you have everything together.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Shoemaker on June 24, 2008 at 10:42pm

#1: Call Eric Schneller at Crew Property Improvement Specialists. His company not only offers handyman-type services, but is now also offering a bi-annual Tune-Up Plan for your home. There's no better way to prevent horribly expensive issues than having an expertly trained set of eyes give your place the once-over now and again...catch the $1,000 problem when it's only a $15 problem.

Crew Property Improvement Specialists
P.O. Box 3391
Carmel, IN 46082
317-731-1000 office

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Permalink Reply by Kurt Allen on June 25, 2008 at 7:50am

Congrats on buying your first home. There will be plenty of excitement and anticipation as you move in, become settled and get to now the neighborhood. If your realtor has not mentioned it to your or the home doesn't come with it, I highly recommend a home warranty. While the inspector can do a great job a pointing out problems with the home, he can not predict when the furnace, water header, dishwasher will quit working.

A home warranty is a great investement and more importantly provides protection from a significant finanical hit, especially if your HVAC system goes out. I recommend it to all my buyers and sellers. The annual premiums are low and they typically do not come with a high deductiable.

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Williams on June 25, 2008 at 8:35am

I was just getting ready to suggest a Home Warranty. My wife and I purchased our first home back in August, so we're coming close to our 1-year mark. We purchased a home warranty and ended up using it when our Fridge leaked.

I'd also echo Steve Stuck's comments about adding things to your house that will add value. My wife and I put in a cedar fence back in the fall and are building a deck this weekend. Combined, they cost around $2200, but they'll add much more than that in value to another homebuyer, not to mention the fact that it's something we will enjoy.

We also used to live up at 86th and Ditch and it's a great area. There are plenty of great restaurants right at that corner (I'd highly recommend Oakley's - a bit pricey, but wonderful, wonderful food!). Trader Joe's and Panera are just around the corner and you're not too far from the Trader's Pointe area at 86th and 465 or Keystone.

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Williams on June 25, 2008 at 9:33am

The cedar railings look great Steve!

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Permalink Reply by Erik Deckers on June 25, 2008 at 10:27am

That looks good. Nice job.

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Permalink Reply by Stephen James on June 25, 2008 at 9:18am

I've considered such additions, but right now I'm worried about conquering more practical things like fixing showers and ventilation systems. There's lots of little things to fix in the house. It was an "as is" home.

Yes, we will enjoy quick access to Trader Joe's (we just got hooked on their Soy Creamy Mango/Vanilla Ice Cream!) and that's where we most of our dairy staples and wine. The other consideration is our church is at College and 91st, so hopefully we can become more active in community service there.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Shoemaker on June 25, 2008 at 9:34am

When you say "as-is" do you mean that you did not have the home inspected?

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Permalink Reply by Stephen James on June 25, 2008 at 11:47am

No, I had it inspected. Found a bunch of minor problems. Even got pictures in the report. It was done by Cornerstone Inspections. I was pretty happy with it--even got some insights in how to go about fixing stuff from the inspector.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Shoemaker on June 25, 2008 at 11:54am

Great company. So things that were working at the time of that report and at the time of closing - the Seller must re-sign the Seller's Disclosure to affirm that there's nothing new that's not working - aren't "pre-existing."

Good luck with it all...and CONGRATS!

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Permalink Reply by Erik Deckers on June 25, 2008 at 10:28am

If you're having ventilation issues, the first thing I would try is one of the duct cleaning services.

Another thing to keep in mind is that when you buy furnace filters, you need to buy the exact size. This is one area where "close enough" won't do.

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Permalink Reply by Stephen James on June 25, 2008 at 11:45am

I meant vent issues, for instance: someone decided it was a great idea to vent the bathroom into the attic.

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