Help for New Home Owners
If you have just moved into your own home for the first time,
you may feel overwhelmed by the prospect of managing all the
small details of your property. For example, where is the fuse
box? Why does the furnace sound so loud? Do you need a new
dishwasher? These and other anxieties can be difficult for a new
homeowner who does not know where to go for help. Of course, you
may be able to call Mom and Dad if they live close by or can be
reached by telephone. But sometimes, family members aren't able
to help much, either.
One place to look for help is online at various Internet sites.
Some offer free advice, helpful guidelines, or online discussion
boards where you can ask about anything with which you need
assistance. There are sites devoted to home appliances, others
dedicated to property maintenance, and plenty that provide tips
on how to decorate your house with appropriate furnishings and
accents. Take advantage of all this free information in order to
make the most of your living space. From changing a lawn mower
wheel to cleaning the attic, help is just a click of the mouse
away.
It also may be a good idea to enroll in a community class for
first-time homeowners or renters. These may be thematically
arranged to help people with lawn care, cleaning tips, storage
ideas, and so on. You can learn from experts in a particular
field, sometimes for free or at a low cost. Look for courses,
seminars, or workshops in your area by contacting home supply
stores, hardware stores, or appliance outlets. If no classes are
being offered, suggest that the store offer one and promote its
availability. Then be sure to tell everyone you know who might
be interested. If enough people come to the first one, the store
may be more likely to offer others in the future.
No matter your age or gender, it also may be helpful to pick up
a self-help book or two for fixing things around the house.
Whether you need to tile the bathroom floor, hang a wall
picture, or waterproof the basement, you might be able to do it
more cheaply yourself as long as you follow special precautions
and guidelines or seek needed help if you are unable to do it
yourself. Some communities sponsor a corps of retirees who
provide maintenance help for reduced fees. Ask your area's small
business service or chamber of commerce about this type of
provision. Again, if none exists presently, suggest the
formation of this type of group for the future.
There are plenty of home decorating classes available to take
on the Internet or in larger cities. Find out if one is offered
near you, or visit local furniture stores to see if decorating
seminars are scheduled in the near future. You can get great
ideas and helpful tips by attending programs of this type.
Home care, preservation, and decoration can be intimidating,
but there are available resources, so take time to find and use
them.