5 Things New Homeowners in OC/LA/IE may consider doing

  1. Make sure to change your air filters every 3-4 months.

    • Usually it would be one filter for the central heater and one for the AC intake.

    • While at this, clean out dryer vent annually

    • Also, make sure to check the lubrication on windows annually

  2. Set aside money for repairs and upgrades

    • A good rule of thumb is to set aside 1% of your home’s value every year into a high yield savings account. Example - Home purchase $600,000. Make sure you save $6000 every year into an account for the unexpected.

    • If on the older side, it’s generally recommended to have 2% on hand in a readily accessible account

    • Another consideration is to simply continually adding to the fund if the home is on the much older side or has some deferred maintenance, it’s no fun replacing an AC. I personally had to install a new water heater last year

  3. Bundle your home and auto insurance for savings

    • If you have multiple policies through a particular carrier, the company may simply just bundle everything and offer discounts

  4. Maintain caulking in bathrooms, kitchens, and windows

    • We don't always make sure that the caulk is nice and sealed around the sink or bathtub, but it’s good to note while doing normal cleaning if it needs to be re-sealed so water doesn’t get in

  5. Consult a tax/estate planning attorney

    • All homeowners may want to consult their CPA/tax professional to draft a plan for the best way to save money

    • Holding title and estate planning is an awfully boring thing to talk about, but is extremely important on how title is transferred and the tax consequences of it