Your first house

[ShoutGrace]

Just recently I purchased a home here in the U.S.A.

I've been one of the fortunates who've not lost their employment or anything else during this economic downturn. I endeavor to be appreciative and grateful for that at all times.

Below is a picture or two. It is a brick ranch style house.

Anyone have any pictures or memories of their first house purchase? I won't have to do much but replace a patio sliding door and landscape (fingers crossed!).

Any tales of what to expect and/or look out for?

The adventure begins!

[soundofmusic]

Congratulations, it is a beautiful home. I have just spent my 30th year in my "first home"...

I might suggest a few things that have caused me some issues over the years:

1. Keep the tree in the front trimmed quite short so that it's root system doesn't interfer with your pipes and the growth doesn't effect your roof. Maybe check it out on line to see how big it gets and what the diameter is.

2. It looks like you are on a low and possibly irregular foundation; so keep an eye out for driveway breakdown and leaks under the house structure.

3. I assume you're up north with the brick facade; in South florida the wet causes mold problems. fix the little cracks and keep it clean.

Always have a little extra for rising taxes or insurance rates during the year and figure that in with your mortgagecosts.

I am sure you will have a wonderful life in your new home and many happy years with your family. Best Wishes

[Madhuri]

Congratulations!!!

I can't see the pictures, though...

[motherhubbard]

how exciting! Congratulations.

[Scheherazade]

Congratulations and best of luck!

(And make sure to get a heating/electricity/drains care package.)

[Lacra]

The house is beautiful indeed and I can feel the fresh air over there, heheheh. Congrats! I suppose you are going (if you didn't do it yet cos your post is dated February and now we are in June) to arrange a beautiful garden.
I promise when I will buy my first and last house I will post some photos and share decorations ideas with you all. But for now my house is just a small flat in a big city.

[Virgil]

Congrats Shouty. That is a nice house. I have to agree with Soundofmusic on that tree. It looks too close to the house.

We would have liked a ranch styled too but there are not too many of them in New York City. We did look at one way back when we were looking but it was just out of our price range. We have owned our home (our first and only) now for over 18 years. I don't have any pictures. It's a semi detached which is one of those things one has to accept when living in the big city and we don't have much property, but the location is good. I can't complain. It's served me well.

[papayahed]

Very Cute! Congrats!