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Tips for First Time Homeowners
Ron Morris • June 1, 2021
10 Tips for First Time Homeowners
- If you have hardwood flooring do not spend money on expensive “hardwood floor cleaners.” Instead mix 1 part Windex with 10 parts water in a spray bottle.
- If you have an interior door that rubs on the jamb and is hard to close, try removing one of the hinge screws opposite of where it is rubbing and insert a 3” screw. Most times it will pull the jamb back enough to prevent rubbing.
- Keep your gutters clean-if you do not the water will sheet flow over blocked gutters and run down the exterior walls of your home. It could enter your home through old and brittle caulking on the way down and then into your basement if you have bad drainage.
- Bathroom caulking-If you have ceramic in a tub or shower it should always be caulked in the 90-degree corners, where the ceramic sits on the tub and where the tub sits on a ceramic floor. You always want to prevent the water from contacting the underlying wood members.
- Running toilets are costing you money. Most times it is the rubber flapper that needs replaced. They can be purchased for a few dollars at a hardware store.
- Stop-do not call an electrician if you have outlets that do not work. Check these 2 things. First, all outlets that are within 6’ of a water source are called GFCI protected. They are overly sensitive and trip very easily. Their purpose is to prevent shock. Typically, some of the outlets on your kitchen counter, bath vanities, and at your electrical panel will have test and reset buttons. Find the one that is tripped and reset it. If it continues to trip, then you should call an electrician. Secondly, many rooms in your home may be on what is called a switched receptacle-this is where ½ of a duplex outlet will be worked by a wall switch. The purpose is so when entering a room without an overhead light you can flip the switch to access a lamp.
- Sealing decks. If done properly this will further the lifespan of the wood members 2-fold. Make sure you do this when the wood is completely dry. The best time is mid-summer. If you are a do it yourselfer and want to build a deck, make sure that all your lumber is rated “ground contact”.
- If you need window parts, be aware of contractors who tell you that the “whole window needs replaced.” There is a website called swisco.com that can get almost any window part that was made. A neighbor got an estimate for $1,250 for a window replacement. He was able to get the part on this website for under $5.
- Hose bibbs-VERY IMPORTANT-as soon as the weather starts to get chilly make sure to turn off your exterior hose spigots at the interior hose bibb shutoff, unhook any hoses and then turn on the exterior spigot to release any water that is trapped.
- Do not spend hundreds of dollars on an exterminator to get rid of ants. Terro makes a gel product that if you follow the instructions will eliminate most problems.
Gary Free grew up in Brunswick, MD. The first time he saw the Residences at Railroad Square, he knew he would love to live in the apartments. Now all he can think to himself is, “I am living here!” Gary said the day he signed his lease he was so happy! He has a picture hanging in his apartment that says, “You’re Home.” Gary looks at it often and says to himself, “I am!” He finally feels at peace. Gary feels his home is nice! He also feels one of the ways of living at Residences of Railroad Square is that he now has everything he ever wanted, asked for and needed. The only thing he feels is a concern is that most of the time he gets lonely. His goal is to try to meet people. He says, “I’m a very friendly person.” Gary says his experience living at the Residences at Railroad Square has been rather good. If he has any concerns he can talk to the office staff. He feels it can’t get any better than this!
With excitement and anticipation, I watched the groundbreaking on June 29, 2023, with my assistant Vickie and IHA’s Supportive Services coordinator, Sandi. By the middle of September 2023 concrete walls were being set up. We watched as the roof was completed; then the windows and doors were installed. We impatiently waited for the day we received permission to see the inside of the Residences of Railroad Square property. Finally, on September 25, 2024, we had the privilege to tour the inside of this beautiful property. On the weekend of September 27, 2024, the IHA property management team along with the CEO Jodie, held a two-day in-person application event. The owners of First Stop Brunswick generously donated their space at 2. E. Baltimore Street. That lease up kick off generated 56 applications. Over the next three months, ninety more applications were submitted. Each applicant came with their own story which stirred our hearts. No matter how different their stories may have been, they all had the same wish, a place to call home for Christmas! On November 5, 2024, the first resident signed their lease and on December 23, 2024, the last empty unit was filled! Not only were we able to fulfill these residents' Christmas wishes but it also filled our hearts with joy!
In November 2024, IHA was awarded a $20,000 grant from Delaplaine Foundation, Inc. This grant supports IHA’s three workshop series: Credit Café ; Financial Freedom Bootcamp ; and Ready, Set, Go… Home! In Credit Café, participants work specifically on improving their credit. Financial Freedom Bootcamp builds critical foundational skills for financial success. Ready, Set, Go… Home! walks participants through the entire homebuying process from start to finish. IHA also received a $1,574.37 designated grant from The PNC Homeownership Fund of The Community Foundation of Frederick County. These pass-through funds will directly support low- to moderate-income (LMI) households in achieving homeownership in Frederick County. In December 2024, IHA was awarded a $29,498 grant from the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust (MAHT). MAHT is administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) through the Division of Neighborhood Revitalization. This grant program is a valuable resource for the advancement of affordable housing initiatives and will provide operational assistance to IHA’s affordable multifamily community in Cumberland, MD. In January 2025, IHA was awarded a $2,500 grant by The Natelli Communities Charitable Fund of The Community Foundation of Frederick County. These unrestricted funds will support IHA’s work across the multiple counties served by our programs and affordable rental communities.
Programs greatly depend on donations from the faith community, businesses, foundations, and individuals.
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