| First time home owners breathe new life into the | | | | will be really helpful for this aspect of the job. A very |
| phrase, "pride of ownership." Once you sign your name | | | | generous neighbor may be willing to loan you the |
| on the final settlement statement and move in your | | | | power saw you need. The local hardware store might |
| new home, you're ready to take the reins on handling | | | | have the tool you need available for rent. |
| home maintenance and performing do-it-yourself | | | | And you can also turn to your online sources. Once |
| repairs. What you may lack in experience, you can | | | | you know the tool you need or determine the part |
| make up in enthusiasm. Knowing where to turn for | | | | necessary, you can compare pricing. Many sites sell |
| advice, tools, and replacement parts can help. | | | | parts at deep discounts and can afford to be more |
| Getting Advice | | | | competitive than the box stores in your area. And |
| There are a number of places you can turn to for | | | | many sites also have customer service |
| advice on many repairs and maintenance projects. | | | | representatives who can help you over the phone, |
| One obvious resource is your parents-they managed | | | | diagnosing a problem and determining the best course |
| a household and probably have some good tips. | | | | of action. If you find a site that offers superior service |
| However, this may not be possible if you've relocated | | | | and great prices, you'll want to bookmark it for future |
| out of town or if they weren't particularly handy. So, | | | | projects. For example, if you're looking for garage door |
| another great source of advice might be a kindly | | | | openers, Genie is a premier brand that offers remotes |
| neighbor. Or perhaps a knowledgeable employee at | | | | that are affiliated with other names, and you may find |
| the local hardware store. And, when all else fails, you | | | | help from a retail site that sells these garage parts and |
| can find nearly anything online-from brands that are | | | | products. If you have a good experience and are |
| compatible with the Genie garage door opener you | | | | happy with the prices, add the site to your "Favorites," |
| have to step by step instructions on changing an air | | | | and you'll be able to use it for future garage repairs. |
| filter, building a retaining wall and a whole host of other | | | | A Job Well Done |
| DIY projects. | | | | There may be a few hiccups or setbacks when |
| Ask around the community and browse forums, blogs | | | | performing DIY repairs on your first home. But this |
| and handyman sites online-figure out your best "real | | | | learning experience can prove invaluable, as will finding |
| live" resources as well as the best sites for | | | | your best resources for helping you now and later. |
| instructions. | | | | And you'll have the best benefit of all-pride in doing the |
| Finding Tools and Parts | | | | job yourself. |
| Saving money wherever possible is another priority of | | | | The good news is that projects and repairs are a near |
| the first time home owner. The cost of tools and parts | | | | constant feature of owning a home, so you'll have |
| needed for repairs will be a great determiner of when | | | | plenty of opportunities to practice your newly found |
| and how the project gets done. Again, your resources | | | | skills-and pass them along someday. |