Don't Let Home Emergencies Take You by Surprise

Owning a home means taking care of minor problems before they become major difficulties. When you buy a new home, however, getting to know everything about it can lead to a few surprises. Our REALTORS® offer the following tips to help you handle some of the more common emergencies you may find yourself dealing with.

• Know Where Your Shut-off Valves
  When you find a home you like out of the many Nassau County homes for sale, one of the first things you will want to do is find shut-off valves. These will include the main shut-off valve for water, as well as the gas line if your home has one. If the home is all-electric, know where the fuse box is located. In many situations, especially with broken pipes, knowing where the main shut-off valve is the best way to stop the water so damage will be kept to a minimum.
  
  
• Keep a List of Professional Technicians/Contractors Close at Hand
  Every agent has a list of professional technicians or contractors to repair the different features in your home. When you're thinking of buying one of these Suffolk County homes for sale, ask your agent for repair techs and contractors they recommend. Having a plumber, roofer, electrician, and an HVAC repairman on speed dial is the best way to get repairs underway before too much damage can be done.
  
  
• Make Sure to Keep a Well-Stocked Tool Box
  Many people prefer not to work on the things in their homes. Some, however, love to tinker around and are quite capable of making small repairs on their own. Always have a fully stocked toolbox on hand with a hammer, mallet, screwdrivers, pliers, and any other useful tool you can think of. They will come in handy if you ever have to put something together or try to make a few quick repairs until a professional can make it out to your home.
  
  
• Teach Your Family Safety First
  Whenever you move, the first thing you should do is talk to your family about safety. Discuss the best exit routes from various areas of the house and designate a safe space to meet outside your home. Have a list of phone numbers ready if they would ever have to call a technician or repairman. Always teach your family safety first.
  
  
• Know When to Call for Help
  There are times when emergencies take place that are simply outside of our capabilities to fix. Know when to call for help. Usually, a quick glance will tell you whether or not you should even attempt the job. Calling in a repairman isn't admitting defeat. It's simply deferring the job to someone who has had more training.

When you are ready to find the house of your dreams, call the realty agency that will always put you and your family first. Contact us so we can get the process started!