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

by Sid Davis

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814400586
Publisher:	AMACOM
Publication date:	07/11/2007
Sold by:	HarperCollins Publishing
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Sid Davis (Farmington, UT), owner of Sid Davis & Associates, has over 25 years of experience as a real estate broker. He is the author of several books including Home Makeovers That Sell (978-0-8144-7373-3) and The First-Time Homeowner’s Survival Guide (978-0-8144-7372-6), as well as countless articles for national publications.

Table of Contents

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.

Editorial Reviews

"On my scale of one to 10, this superb book rates a solid 10."

-Robert Bruss, nationally syndicated real estate columnist

"Whether you are a first-time home buyer or a long-time homeowner, you will profit from reading "The First-Time Homeowner's Survival Guide" by Sid Davis. He is both an experienced real estate broker and a home renovator so he knows which home repairs and renovations will reflect well in home enjoyment and increased resale value...Whether you are the do-it-yourself type or you prefer to hire professionals such as plumbers and electricians, this new book provides profitable information to save money and make the right choices. On my scale of one to 10, this superb book rates a solid 10."

-Robert Bruss, nationally syndicated real estate columnist

“On my scale of one to 10, this superb book rates a solid 10."

-Robert Bruss, nationally syndicated real estate columnist

“Whether you are a first-time home buyer or a long-time homeowner, you will profit from reading "The First-Time Homeowner's Survival Guide" by Sid Davis. He is both an experienced real estate broker and a home renovator so he knows which home repairs and renovations will reflect well in home enjoyment and increased resale value...Whether you are the do-it-yourself type or you prefer to hire professionals such as plumbers and electricians, this new book provides profitable information to save money and make the right choices. On my scale of one to 10, this superb book rates a solid 10."

-Robert Bruss, nationally syndicated real estate columnist

"On my scale of one to 10, this superb book rates a solid 10."

-Robert Bruss, nationally syndicated real estate columnist

"Whether you are a first-time home buyer or a long-time homeowner, you will profit from reading "The First-Time Homeowner's Survival Guide" by Sid Davis. He is both an experienced real estate broker and a home renovator so he knows which home repairs and renovations will reflect well in home enjoyment and increased resale value...Whether you are the do-it-yourself type or you prefer to hire professionals such as plumbers and electricians, this new book provides profitable information to save money and make the right choices. On my scale of one to 10, this superb book rates a solid 10."

-Robert Bruss, nationally syndicated real estate columnist

From the Publisher