In the News

Moving into a brand new home is such an exciting time for many. It is blank slate for you and your family to truly make the space your own and create memories together. Much of this excitement moving into a newly constructed home can lead to missed insights on your home’s functions and other important information that you need to know down the road. Here are 6 important things to know about your new home when you move in.

Humidity Control

Homes today are built far more energy efficient and air tight than they were 20 years ago. With this thought in mind there is less air escaping your home, which means it would take much longer time for humidity to escape your home as well. A new home takes some adjusting in that you need to take the proper precautions to prevent high humidity levels that could lead to condensation in your windows. Most thermostats in new homes display the humidity level in the home. You will want to try to keep that between 30-40%. To prevent high humidity you should run a fan in the bathroom each time you are showering and also run the fan in the kitchen if you are doing dishes, opening the dishwasher, or boiling water.

Furnace Filter

Many are under the impression that since this is a brand new home that a new furnace filter isn’t necessary right at the recommended replacement date. This is in fact the opposite. Because of the fact that the home was under construction and had many materials in it to put the home together the filter actually has to be replaced more often than suggested.

Register your Warranties

After all of the madness of moving and getting settled, set aside time to register for all of the warranties involved in your home. If you miss a window to register your warranty it can cut your warranty time in half and in some cases can give a company more leverage to deny a claim a the future. It typically does not take more than following a website, entering some information, and possibly a code as a unique identifier. With each element in your home that involves a warranty, it is best to block off time and complete registering them all at once.

Important Contact Information

In many newly built homes important contact information can be found in a bag attached to the furnace. Most of these contacts are on separate sheets or business cards. Compile a list of these important contacts in case anything were to go wrong in your home. Have a brief understanding of who to call in which cases and keep the contact sheet in a convenient location(s).

Have a Dedicated Notebook

During your New Home Orientation you will want to notes on the many important details that are given. You will find yourself needing to reference this for certain functions and you may want to glance over it once or twice before move in day to ensure you are aware of any day-of move in tasks.

Many new home warranties involve a 30 day, 60 day, and 1 year visit. To help you keep track of what may need attention in your home during these appointments, have your dedicated notebook to write down any observations in the home that you believe warranty could help you take care of. This makes it easy on you and your warranty specialist so that there doesn’t need to be multiple trips in the case that you may miss a couple details on accident.

Home Maintenance

A home, even when brand new, can endure wear and tear and will still need normal maintenance. It is important to know what issues fall under warranty of either your builder or the manufacturer and deciding if the issue is fixable on your own or if you should consult with someone.

Buying a new home is one of the biggest investments you will make in your life. Many people hesitate to ask questions out of fear that they should already know the answer. A home builder’s construction managers and warranty specialists are there to answer your questions. They are a resource for you to help navigate your new home, so do not be afraid to ask. They ultimately want you to be happy and comfortable in your home. Knowing these details can help you feel less overwhelmed and help you get off to the best start possible.