First Time Homeowner - HELP

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washedupballer
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12:02p, 4/20/26
AG
Howdy Y'all,

Don't want to get into too many details but I will be moving into my first home on a little over an acre in the NB area. Will be on a septic system, but city water. Reading through this board has shown me there is a s*** ton of stuff I still have no idea about. My biggest areas of inexperience are routine maintenance and other items I probably have no idea exist. I am initially looking into installing some extra ethernet jacks to help with wifi performance. I also want to improve/upgrade anything that is feasibly DIYable because I plan on staying in this home for many years. Are there certain things I should look to upgrade right away or does it just come down to timing and what is personally most important. I am willing to listen to any and all advice y'all have to offer.

Thanks in advance.
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Claude!
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1:13p, 4/20/26
Congratulations! Buy a plunger for every toilet.
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DannyDuberstein
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2:38p, 4/20/26
AG
1) Find where Home Depot or Lowes is.
2) Plan to go there a lot.
3) Plan to forget something when you go there, requiring a 2nd trip back

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Rule Number 32
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3:05p, 4/20/26
AG
Step 1: try not to stress about it too much.
Step 2: Fail at step 1 and fail at sleeping well for a while
Step 3: Realize you dont have to fix everything at once.

Honestly, you are gonna be fine. Make sure to have the septic system inspected prior to moving in. We are on Septic with City water as well. It is fine. You have to have a maintenance agreement to have your septic chekced a few times a year, so make sure to budget for that (I think ours is like $400 a year). Do not have it pumped before moving in if everything is working well now. Also, be careful what you put down the drain in the kitchen. Do a little google research and you will be totally fine.

As far as just generally owning a house, its stressful but worth it. Change the toilet seats when you move in. Change locks as well. Other than that, just take your time and fix things as they become important to you.

The note above about forgetting something at HD is 100% accurate. New Branfels at least has a few options and you dont have to drive that far. My main problem is every time I try to fix something, I break something else in the process. So that requires another 2 trips to HD.
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DannyDuberstein
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3:20p, 4/20/26
AG
Yes, #3 has different variations. There is the (a) just plain forgot, (b) had to get deeper into the project with the stuff you bought on the first trip to realize you need something else too, and (c) you break something while fixing something.

Don't sweat it. Just settle into your new home and take them as they come. You'll get good at finding how-to on youtube.
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Ryan the Temp
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3:58p, 4/20/26
AG
I would recommend against making any significant upgrades, changes, etc. until you've live in the home at least a year. You want to get to know how the home and property functions for you. I learned this the hard way by renovating my kitchen right after I bought my first house. I learned within a year how it did not function the way I needed it to for my habits. I ended up renovating the kitchen a second time and redesigned to it work the way I needed it to. You don't want to make expensive mistakes like I did.

Until then, just fix the stuff that can't wait. Get yourself a basic set of tools for everyday needs and only buy/rent/borrow the more expensive stuff as the need arises. If you can, set aside at least 1% of your home value every year for maintenance and improvements.

If you need advice or ideas, come to this board and there are plenty of us who can help you or at least point you in the right direction. It doesn't have to be scary.
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eiggA2002
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4:10p, 4/20/26
AG
1. Get a water softener
2. Chlorine every two weeks into the septic receptacle. Buy the $1 store cheap stuff unless it requires tablets (assuming it's anaerobic).
3. Get a riding lawnmower. With an acre it will save you so much time.
4. Don't forget to change your HVAC filters.
5. Run your ceiling fans counterclockwise in the Summer. Leave them on most/all day. It will legitimately save you $$ on your A/C bill and a ceiling fan uses minimal power so it vastly offsets.
6. Get a smart thermostat.
7. If you have a sprinkler system make sure it has a rain sensor.
8. Buy a good chainsaw.
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DannyDuberstein
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4:14p, 4/20/26
AG
I'd echo that wait a year advice. Fix the stuff that breaks, but otherwise, spend the time learning more about what you like and don't like before you take on anything significant
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Hodor
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In reply to DannyDuberstein • 4:28p, 4/20/26
AG
DannyDuberstein said:
1) Find where Home Depot or Lowes is.
2) Plan to go there a lot.
3) Plan to forget something when you go there, requiring a 2nd trip back


The skill of a handyman is measured by how many trips it takes to complete a project!

I'm not very skilled.
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Leggo My Elko
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4:51p, 4/20/26
AG
You will develop a long list of project you want to do.
You can't do all of them. Have some short term and long term ones.
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washedupballer
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In reply to Leggo My Elko • 7:17p, 4/20/26
AG
I have already started on my list and we haven't closed yet!
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washedupballer
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7:17p, 4/20/26
AG
Thanks everyone for the advice!!
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washedupballer
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In reply to eiggA2002 • 7:17p, 4/20/26
AG
Good advice thank you!
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STX_APP_16
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In reply to washedupballer • 7:38p, 4/20/26
AG
I agree with this. I have a running list that includes cost, complexity, quality of life impact, priority. Helps me clear my mind of everything that I want to do and focus on what is that's realistic today.

Love the idea of WiFi receptacles added to the house. I did that earlier this year and am very happy with the outcome.
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washedupballer
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In reply to STX_APP_16 • 8:02p, 4/20/26
AG
This is what I have built out so far, not all the way done with all the potential pricing for all projects. Some stuff thrown into the project as a way to get extra goodies.

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Ryan the Temp
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In reply to washedupballer • 8:02p, 4/20/26
AG
washedupballer said:
I have already started on my list and we haven't closed yet!

To the extent possible, prioritize anything that would be easier to do without anything in the house (i.e. painting, sheetrock repair, flooring, etc.) and do it before you move in.
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washedupballer
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In reply to Ryan the Temp • 8:23p, 4/20/26
AG
I think I've done that with my sorta checklist, prioritized by personal importance (mainly painting what needs painted and ripping out the carpet)
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SoulSlaveAG2005
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In reply to washedupballer • 7:23a, 4/21/26
AG
washedupballer said:
This is what I have built out so far, not all the way done with all the potential pricing for all projects. Some stuff thrown into the project as a way to get extra goodies.



I'm a penny pincher, and it's minor in cost but. No need to buy stir sticks, pencils or a buckets or tarps.

They'll give you a stick or two when you buy the paint. Pencils, any pencil is a carpenters pencil when used for carpentry, and sign up for harbor freight mailer. They give those away like candy when you buy another item. If you need a disposable tool (their brad nailer is lik $29 and works great) or other entry level, I would purchase there first before investing in name brand. Helps you build skills (get free tarps and buckets and other items) and you find out what tools you need and don't need over time before investing in something better or committing to a battery color.

Also- any piece of wood can be a stir stick. Off cuts, tree twigs. They all stir well.
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Rattler12
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8:53a, 4/21/26
You might want to check with some septic professionals and get their opinion before you use bleach in the washing machine or Drano in toilets whether it's a conventional system with laterals or an aerobic system.
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washedupballer
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In reply to Rattler12 • 9:46a, 4/21/26
AG
According to the septic permit it is an aerobic system with surface irrigation. Not yet sure how that impacts the bleach or drano conversation.
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Rattler12
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In reply to washedupballer • 10:53a, 4/21/26
washedupballer said:
According to the septic permit it is an aerobic system with surface irrigation. Not yet sure how that impacts the bleach or drano conversation.

In either system I wouldn't think you'd want to use any bleach or Drano like products as both systems rely on bacteria, some bad some good, to operate efficiently in the decomposition process. You need the good for decomposition and bleach and products like Drano kill both. We had to put in an aerobic system when our conventional system had some issues because Comal CO wouldn't let us have the old one fixed due to regulatory issues around percolation rates from the laterals. In the aerobic system the effluent goes through 4 different chambers before being irrigated out of the last chamber. Chlorine tablets or bleach is added into the last chamber and it kills both the good and the bad bacteria so at that point it's not an issue. If added to wash water, dish water etc before it hits the 1st chamber you could have problems.
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Gnome Sayin
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12:10p, 4/21/26
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vmiaptetr
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12:30p, 4/21/26
AG
If you don't know how to do something, watch a YouTube video. If you still don't know how to do it after that, watch it again.
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HDeathstar
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12:46p, 4/21/26
Welcome to the money pit. All I know is before you do any major cosmetic work on the house, make sure whatever is behind the walls, under the slab, over the celing are all able to outlive your sheetrock, tile, paint, bult in cabinets, etc upgrades.

If you have a $X budget for remodeling, wives don't want to hear $40% of X budget needs to go to new water lines, sewer lines, or electrical, all stuff behind the walls that they cannot show off to their friends.

Good Luck.
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87IE
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In reply to washedupballer • 2:26p, 4/21/26
AG
Quote:
Are there certain things I should look to upgrade right away or does it just come down to timing and what is personally most important

Get house re-keyed
Check window locks and add if necessary
Erase all garage door opener codes
Buy calk gun and check caulking around
  • all windows - inside and out
  • all outdoor lights plugs
  • countertops
  • bathroom - tub/toilet/vanity top
Buy an outlet tester and label all breakers
Buy garden pump sprayer and Demon WP- spray outside and inside before you move in
Buy hose end Flea and Tick spray and treat backyard
whatever else i didn't list

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washedupballer
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In reply to Rattler12 • 2:45p, 4/21/26
AG
good to know, thanks
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Ryan the Temp
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12:27a, 4/22/26
AG
This is my favorite pic to sum up what home ownership means to me:

(yes, that's me)
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Counterpoint
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In reply to Ryan the Temp • 6:50a, 4/22/26
AG
Ryan the Temp said:
This is my favorite pic to sum up what home ownership means to me:

(yes, that's me)

Been there!
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htxag09
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8:08a, 4/22/26
AG
Is your AC in the attic? If so, make sure the pan has a float switch. Also, figure out where the condensate line drains to. If a sink, make sure you keep an eye on it. Pour bleach/vinegar down the line semi regularly.

Edit: this may not be as necessary in NB as it is here in Houston. Put cheap compared to the alternative of a water leak.
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rayneag
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6:57p, 4/22/26
AG
Decide on a Portable tool brand up front so you are buying tools that all share the same battery platform, Mikita, DeWalt and Milwaukee all have a tool arsenal that will fit most all of your needs for any project over many years; Outdoor Maintenance, carpentry, demo. You want to make sure your brad nailer, Saw and drill all use the same Battery platform they differ by Brand. Someone mentioned Find out which is closer Lowe's or Home Depot and use that store to purchase these tools their inventory and brands differ slightly. If there is still an old school Hardware store in the Area go there look around and talk to someone in Plumbing and paint they are usually a source of great knowledge. They often do side work or know good . You can also find people at the Box stores that know a lot their department on't be afraid to talk them up. If you are going to work a project over the weekend make sure you have sourced all your parts, tools and fasteners by Friday night, The worst time to go get something is Saturday morning. I find Friday after 6:00 is a great time to go to the box stores and look around and talk to someone about a project and get everything I need the store is a lot less crowded
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Ryan the Temp
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In reply to rayneag • 7:48p, 4/22/26
AG
rayneag said:
Decide on a Portable tool brand up front so you are buying tools that all share the same battery platform, Mikita, DeWalt and Milwaukee all have a tool arsenal that will fit most all of your needs for any project over many years; Outdoor Maintenance, carpentry, demo. You want to make sure your brad nailer, Saw and drill all use the same Battery platform they differ by Brand. Someone mentioned Find out which is closer Lowe's or Home Depot and use that store to purchase these tools their inventory and brands differ slightly. If there is still an old school Hardware store in the Area go there look around and talk to someone in Plumbing and paint they are usually a source of great knowledge. They often do side work or know good . You can also find people at the Box stores that know a lot their department on't be afraid to talk them up. If you are going to work a project over the weekend make sure you have sourced all your parts, tools and fasteners by Friday night, The worst time to go get something is Saturday morning. I find Friday after 6:00 is a great time to go to the box stores and look around and talk to someone about a project and get everything I need the store is a lot less crowded

And always know the hours of these stores. If you're neck deep in a project, make sure you stop an hour or two before they close to assess if there is anything you need to buy for your project if you're going to be working beyond closing time or working on something critical like a toilet.
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Milwaukees Best Light
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8:58p, 4/22/26
AG
Buy a spare capacitor for your ac unit. There is one outside and one inside. The are likely different sizes. Get one of each from amazon. Open them both up and take a picture of the label on the capacitor and how it is wired. The capacitor is a small cylinder with wires attached to the top. Not much else in the access panel of the outside unit. When your ac won't run, swap it out and see if that gets it before you make an expensive phone call. I recommend writing the install date onto the cap with a sharpie. They last a couple years and you will want to know if they go out too quickly.

Get a volt meter and a voltage tester pen and learn the basics on them. The volt meter has way more stuff than you will likely ever need, just make sure you know how to read ac and dc voltage. Use the tester pen to make sure you don't kill yourself with a hot wire.
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Shelton98
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In reply to Milwaukees Best Light • 10:16p, 4/22/26
AG
Milwaukees Best Light said:
Buy a spare capacitor for your ac unit.

Because they always go out on a weekend. Always.
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DannyDuberstein
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10:23p, 4/22/26
AG
Just make sure you know how to discharge it so you don't shock the **** out of yourself
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Throwout
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11:10a, 4/23/26
AG
Change your smoke detector batteries...religiously. I change mine every year on NYE whether they need it or not. And be sure to check what type of batteries you need. Some might need 9-volt and some might need AA. It's not unusual to need both in a single house. Buy a buttload of the batteries you need so you never run out. I have Amazon scheduled to deliver a load of them around Christmas every year so it reminds me to change them. I can promise you, when they go out, it will be 3:00 in the morning, you won't know which one it is and you'll probably have a newborn that just went back to sleep when the damn thing goes off.
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