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Drew’s Best Tips for First-Time Homeowners

Drew Scott in a brown suede jacket standing in a modern kitchen with a black backsplash and brass pot filler

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Buying your first home can be overwhelming. There are a ton of factors to think about, like mortgages, picking the right neighborhood, finding a real estate agent you mesh withā€¦ and thatā€™s all on top of touring houses.  

And the list doesnā€™t stop once youā€™ve found your dream home, either. There are endless details to keep in mind, whether that’s needing to tend to your new garden or dealing with a leaky roof. Itā€™s hard to remember everything! But Drew is here to share some of his best tips for first-time homeowners. These include simple upgrades you may not have thought about but could save you major headaches down the road. He is the expert after all!

Get Smart

ā€œFirst, you’ll want to replace the lock on the front door,ā€ Drew says. ā€œItā€™s nice to have a smart lock because you donā€™t have to carry a key, and you can control it from your phone.ā€

He also adds that ā€œa smart home is better than a dumb home. Consider using automation for your lighting, turning on your furnace, or whatever else you need. That way, you can operate it from your phone or with your voice.ā€

So you can turn off your lights without getting out of bed? Weā€™re in!

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Safety Is Key

ā€œHome security is an important thing,ā€ he says. ā€œYou want to have a system that sends you notifications, which will make you feel safe while youā€™re away or at home.ā€

H2-Oh, No

Once you own a home, tracking your water becomes way more important, and you definitely donā€™t want to miss spotting any leaks. ā€œA leak detection system is great because if you ever have a leak, you can shut your water off right away,ā€ Drew says.

Dress in Your Window Best

ā€œWindow coverings are an important part of design, but itā€™s not just for aesthetic; itā€™s also for function. It can help keep heat in your house,ā€ Drew says. ā€œOn top of that, I like it to be smart. At the beginning of the day, I push one button to open them, and at the end of the day, I push one button to close them.ā€

If youā€™re not quite ready for a smart system, though, the best window treatments are still a must-have for privacy, function, and style.

Get Some Sun

ā€œItā€™s such a great thing to have solar panels and a battery backup because that can offset how much youā€™re spending on electrical bills,ā€ Drew suggests. ā€œBut itā€™s good to have a flashlight in a drawer just in case the power goes out.ā€

Last But Not Leastā€¦

ā€œA toolkit! You never know when you need to have a small toolkit in the house,ā€ he says.

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