The First-Time Homeowner's Survival Guide : A Crash Course in Dealing with Repairs, Renovations, Property Tax Issues, and Other Potential Disasters

A stress-free guide to caring for your biggest investment. For many new homeowners, the euphoria that comes with buying the perfect new house can soon turn into total panic. First-time buyers often feel overwhelmed by the amount of maintenance their new home requires - not to mention the nasty problems and surprises that seem to be lurking around every corner (and in every wall). Finally, author and real estate guru Sid Davis provides the antidote for the common worries that plague every new owner. From easy repairs to seemingly insurmountable projects, readers will discover sanity-saving advice on: improving roofing, siding, walkways, and driveways; fixing or replacing appliances and fixtures; refinancing tips and traps; reducing the costs of home ownership and maintenance; lowering property taxes; working with contractors and not getting taken; insurance tips; budgeting for the unexpected. Owning a home should be exciting, not terrifying. Now with this reassuring guide, novice homeowners can experience all of the joy, and none of the trepidation, that comes with having a place of their own. Owning a home should be exciting, not terrifying. Get a crash course on what new homeowners can expect, from the good to the bad and the ugly. For many new homeowners, the euphoria that comes with buying the perfect new house can soon turn into total panic. First-time buyers often feel overwhelmed by the amount of maintenance their new home requires?not to mention the nasty problems and surprises that seem to be lurking around every corner (and in every wall). Real estate guru Sid Davis provides the antidote for the common worries that plague every new owner. From easy repairs to seemingly insurmountable projects, you will discover sanity-saving advice on: improving roofing, siding, walkways, and driveways fixing or replacing appliances and fixtures refinancing tips and traps reducing the costs of home ownership and maintenance lowering property taxes working with contractors and not getting taken insurance tips budgeting for the unexpected With The First-Time Homeowner's Survival Guide, novice homeowners can experience all the joy, and none of the trepidation, that comes with having a place of their own.

For many new homeowners, the euphoria that comes with buying the perfect new house can soon turn into total panic. First-time buyers often feel overwhelmed by the amount of maintenance their new home requires—not to mention the nasty problems and surprises that seem to be lurking around every corner (and in every wall). Finally, author and real estate guru Sid Davis provides the antidote for the common worries that plague every new owner. From easy repairs to seemingly insurmountable projects, readers will discover sanity-saving advice on:
• improving roofing, siding, walkways, and driveways
• fixing or replacing appliances and fixtures
• refinancing tips and traps
• reducing the costs of home ownership and maintenance
• lowering property taxes
• working with contractors and not getting taken
• insurance tips
• budgeting for the unexpected

Owning a home should be exciting, not terrifying. Now with this reassuring guide, novice homeowners can experience all of the joy, and none of the trepidation, that comes with having a place of their own.

"For many new homeowners, the euphoria that comes with buying the perfect new house can soon turn into total panic. First-time buyers often feel overwhelmed by the amount of maintenance their new home requires-not to mention the nasty problems and surprises that seem to be lurking around every corner (and in every wall). Finally, author and real estate guru Sid Davis provides the antidote for the common worries that plague every new owner. From easy repairs to seemingly insurmountable projects, readers will discover sanity-saving advice on: ? improving roofing, siding, walkways, and driveways ? fixing or replacing appliances and fixtures ? refinancing tips and traps ? reducing the costs of home ownership and maintenance ? lowering property taxes ? working with contractors and not getting taken ? insurance tips ? budgeting for the unexpected Owning a home should be exciting, not terrifying. Now with this reassuring guide, novice homeowners can experience all of the joy, and none of the trepidation, that comes with having a place of their own."--Provided by publisher < html> C O N T E N T S Preface vii Chapter 1 Your Home's Electrical System 101 1 Chapter 2 Maintaining and Fixing Your Home's Plumbing System 20 Chapter 3 How to Create Great-Looking Walls and Ceilings 43 Chapter 4 Interior Improvements That Add Value 65 Chapter 5 Exterior Maintenance and Improvements That Add Value 85 Chapter 6 Your Home's Landscaping and Curb Appeal 107 Chapter 7 Hiring and Working with Contractors 128 Chapter 8 Tax Aspects of Owning a Home 147 Chapter 9 Insurance Matters for Homeowners 167 Chapter 10 Avoiding the Ten Most Costly House Problems 189 Appendix A Dealing with Disaster 205 Appendix B Average Life Expectancy of Your Home's Components 211 Appendix C Energy Savings and a Greener Home 215 Index 217 A comprehensive glossary along with printable checklists and worksheets are available at www.sid-davis.com by clicking on the book banner. C O N T E N T S 6 Preface 8 Chapter 1 Your Home’s Electrical System 101 12 Chapter 2 Maintaining and Fixing Your Home’s PlumbingSystem 31 Chapter 3 How to Create Great-Looking Walls and Ceilings 54 Chapter 4 Interior Improvements That Add Value 76 Chapter 5 Exterior Maintenance and Improvements That AddValue 96 Chapter 6 Your Home’s Landscaping and Curb Appeal 118 Chapter 7 Hiring and Working with Contractors 139 Chapter 8 Tax Aspects of Owning a Home 158 Chapter 9 Insurance Matters for Homeowners 178 Chapter 10 Avoiding the Ten Most Costly House Problems 200 Appendix A Dealing with Disaster 216 Appendix B Average Life Expectancy of Your Home’s Components 222 Appendix C Energy Savings and a Greener Home 226 Index 228 Most books only provide advice on repairs. "The First-Time Homeowner's Survival Guide" provides information on: reducing the costs of home ownership and maintenance; lowering property taxes; AE working with contractors insurance tips; AE refinancing tips and traps understanding their home's electrical system and more. It includes helpful charts and graphs as well as disaster-planning checklists. It makes the perfect housewarming gift. Sid Davis is a real estate expert and the author of two popular books on the topic: "A Survival Guide for Buying a Home" (081447196X), and "Home Makeovers That Sell" (0814473733) just released