Official Home Owners Tips

[luv_mist]

I know not everyone here is a homeowner but there should always be good tips from experience. I figured I'd get the ball rolling with my own inquiry.

Yep, I'm an official homeowner in Maryland. Is. Long distance from my Midwest roots. We just closed last Friday and I moved every bit of everything out of the house with my own muscles and a trusty dolly I bought when we first got to this state.

Fast forward past the uber manliness, I'm at a crossroad. I need a lawn mower. I bought a manual one but my parents advised me to go with one that turns because I'd have a lot of labor in my future. Father said I'm a glutton for punishment which I sometimes think I am. At any rate, I'm leaning toward an electric corded mower. I've only worked with gas-powered mowers my whole life. I definitely wouldn't mind a good. It of advice. Anything is optional right now if it's a sensible price. In this three-legged race to the checkout line, I see the corded electric ahead. Any help is appreciated.


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[C the Lyte]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

Stick with gas powered. I've owned an electric weed eater and have never been more frustrated than with that POS when doing yard work. Also, depending on finances, I'd go with used.

How big is your yard?

[justamush]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

I would go with gas as well...

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

Electric powered are the biggest pieces of **** ever. Had a weed eater. It doesn't help that Black and Decker is pure trash of a product and that is the brand we had. We finally bought my dad a gas powered that retails for like $300 that we got brand new for wholesale price. I couldn't believe the power it had.

[DaveDQ]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

Go with a gas mower. You can get an affordable one that you maintain well and you'll be fine.

Find a plumber, electrician and or general contractor that does home improvements that you can trust.

[C the Lyte]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

Electric powered are the biggest pieces of **** ever. Had a weed eater. It doesn't help that Black and Decker is pure trash of a product and that is the brand we had. We finally bought my dad a gas powered that retails for like $300 that we got brand new for wholesale price. I couldn't believe the power it had.

B & D make decent drills IMO. But yard-work products... no.

Reason I ask about how big the yard is though is if it's a really small yard, I would go wtih electric, as that would probably get the job done... efficiently as well.

Being a homeowner is great... until **** breaks. I'd advise to, if possible, set a seperate fund aside from regular savings accounts and use that $ for home repairs/improvements. Because **** is going to break.

[luv_mist]

I think it's too late to refund the house. I went with gas powered Toro that was on sale at Home Depot. I really am glad I got it but I'm not I. The mood to mow yet. Still have so much cleaning to do. I'm liking this thread already. Wife is getting a kick out of the responses.

House is straight dusty and my wife is days/hours away from delivering. So many great things going on. Thanks for the advice.


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[Chef Matt]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

Look into a home warranty as well. I've renewed my home warranty every year since I've had my house and it's paid for itself almost three times. It covers things like AC, stove, washer, dryer, electrical throughout the house, plumbing system, plumbing stoppages etc...

We currently pay 450.00 anually for it.

I've had my house rewired, and our plumbing completley redone, along with a few smaller things fixed under the terms of the warranty.

[C the Lyte]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

Look into a home warranty as well. I've renewed my home warranty every year since I've had my house and it's paid for itself almost three times. It covers things like AC, stove, washer, dryer, electrical throughout the house, plumbing system, plumbing stoppages etc...

We currently pay 450.00 anually for it.

I've had my house rewired, and our plumbing completley redone, along with a few smaller things fixed under the terms of the warranty.

That blew my mind!!! I didn't know there were such things!!!

[Chef Matt]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

That blew my mind!!! I didn't know there were such things!!!

This is the one I have.

http://www.homewarranty.com/

It doesn't cover anything stuctural. That would fall under your insurance, but it seems to cover everything that breaks down routinely haha. At least in my house anyway.

We’ll protect your investment, while you enjoy your home.

A home is the single largest investment that most people will ever make, and the last thing that any new home owner wants to deal with are costly repairs or replacement of complex or aging systems.

Fidelity National Home Warranty helps manage and protect your home expenses – beyond the provisions of standard homeowner's insurance policies - with a one-year Standard and Comprehensive Plus home protection plan that covers major systems and appliances. Whether you are a first time home buyer, seller or existing homeowner, a home warranty is a very affordable way to preserve peace of mind and to protect your most valuable asset!

It is the type of investment that pays for itself … there is simply no substitute!

Edit: We also pay a 55.00 deductible for each call. It's still worth it.

[C the Lyte]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

Thanks, Chef Matt. Very helpful. I'm definitely looking into that.

I am skeptical of all warranties as most of the time, the consumer ends up losing out. However, just last year I spent over $ 600 reapiring various things. Not to mention my heat-pump is in the 4th quarter of it's lifespan. Probably 2 minute warning @ that.

[Chef Matt]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

Last year I would have had close to an $800.00 plumbing bill. I paid $55.00 under the warranty.

There may be years you don't use it, but knowing if something like your electrical goes out that you only pay the deductible, is great peice of mind.

[RockinDaMike]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

Electric sucks. I have one right now but don't really see the reason to since i have a pretty small front yard.

If you have weeds, the best tool I bought for my lawn is this: http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-7870-U...3667391&sr=8-1

Gets the roots out and everything.

[~LiverpoolRed~]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

Need some help here. I have just discovered that a nest of baby birds have just hatched (found out this morning) in my bathroom exhaust vent. How the heck do I get rid of them? Should i just wait it out until they are big enough to fly away? I don't want to harm them.

[p_rushing]

Re: Official Home Owners Tips

Need some help here. I have just discovered that a nest of baby birds have just hatched (found out this morning) in my bathroom exhaust vent. How the heck do I get rid of them? Should i just wait it out until they are big enough to fly away? I don't want to harm them.

I had a similar problem. A bird built a nest at my front door on top of a light. It dropped poop all over the stone tile there. I couldn't get it to leave, kept coming back. You can get some plastic fence/netting stuff in the garden department at any home improvement store. If you put that up around what they are getting into, it will stop them.