What are some things for a new home owner to consider getting early on?
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Change out your locks. Who knows who the previous owners gave a key.
Do people actually forgo this step? I can't imagine. This is like the first thing my parents taught me.
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Don’t bother buying stuff you “think” you’ll need except for a drill. Buy stuff beyond that as needed.
Depending on where you live get to know the deal spots around you: pawn shops, Craigslist, fb marketplace, ebay, etc. tools are frequently resold for fairly cheap especially if you ever desire stuff that’s a pain in the ass to ship/move like ladders/table saws/miter box/etc.
Brand doesn’t matter regardless of what internet dorks say for the most part but picking an ecosystem means you won’t have 90 different batteries hanging around. Keep in mind with some manufacturers there a sub lines with different batteries (eg ryobi has a battery whereas Makita has 3 different battery types).
Don’t buy Milwaukee. Dogshit tools that work okay until they don’t. Makita, ryobi, dewalt, Bosch, metabo, etc are generally repairable. Makita is my go to because you can generally buy parts (though sometimes cost prohibitive tbf), dewalt too but dewalt is pricier. Milwaukee though tends to have these proprietary pcbs with microcontrollers in everything for some reason that inevitably fail and cannot be purchased so once they fail the $350 tool you just got is junk. Whereas https://www.ereplacementparts.com/makita-parts-c-97.html? And https://www.toolservicenet.com/b2b/dewalt/en//Dewalt/OUTDOOR//p/DCCS623B sells actual oem parts
Harbor freight stuff is fine too especially if you’re not going to use it much (or even if you are, my palm sander is from there and I’ve used that for hundreds of hours. Had to change the brushes but otherwise fine).
Hope you know how to patch drywall.
If you want something like cameras that’s like a whole thing. IMO that’s where you should head over to selfhosted. Easy mode is get some WiFi cameras from whoever like eufy and slap them on your house but then you trade away privacy (uploads to their cloud servers and literally every company has had at least one “security whoopsie”) and connection stability (WiFi connection will inherently drop out several times a week/day/hour depending on your setup/congestion in your area. You go to check the camera and it’s always unavailable when you need it). You also have to either add solar panels to them or recharge them every few months. But this is generally what people do because it’s cheaper and easier
Alternatively you can get power over Ethernet cameras that have much more reliable connectivity and are more likely to run locally (eg record to hardware in your home, either an NVR or a server you make). Downsides here are more expensive (not subsidized by being able to sell your data + the cost of the nvr/server), needing to run Ethernet drops to wherever you want cameras, having to figure out something like tailscale if you want to view cameras remotely and truly don’t want any cloud involved
This is good stuff. For the cameras, Euphys generally have micro SD card slots, can store locally, and are Apple Home compatible and can store data in iCloud. (I realize Apple stuff is not every lemming’s cup of tea, but I daresay iCloud is more secure thatn Euphy’s servers.)
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For example, I think I'll need a ladder. I'm looking for any suggestions from tools to security cameras, or whatever else you can think of. What should every new home owner consider getting?
Edit: in Canada btw, somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter
I haven’t seen much mentioned yet about emergency preparedness. If you’ve bought in an area you’re familiar with/already living you likely have some idea of what kind of emergencies are more likely. It’s still probably a good idea to check the website for whatever government agency handles emergency response for suggestions on what to be prepared for and what items to have. How likely is it you’ll lose electricity for a few days? Have some food and drinking water, enough for at least a couple days for everyone in your household, including any animals. Keep them in a separate area from your regular food supplies but that’s easy to access. Ideally get food and water you would use anyways and try to use them before they spoil so you’re not wasting your money or food. Be sure to check your supplies at least once a year to replace any food or medicine that’s expired, and make sure your batteries haven’t leaked all over everything.
Some of these things you should keep accessible where you can bring them with you if you have to evacuate, along with copies of important documents.
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Get cheap tools. Buy everything at harbor freight. Don't splurge on anything that's not a safety hazard (get a quality ladder, but buy cheap screwdrivers)
If the tool breaks, buy a quality one to replace it.
Project Farm is your friend to find the cheap option, and the quality option.
Edit: Substitute Princess Auto for Harbor Freight, as you're in Canada.
My 2 cents, get a good drill and good screwdriver set, cheap out on everything else until you replace it.
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Makita gang rise up
My Makita drill is honestly baller. Lightweight and easy to handle, but still powerful enough for almost anything. And it has a light! That said, I still have a big honking Dewalt 18v(?) with the heavy ass batteries that is still going strong after 20 years (even the heavy ass batteries!), that I break out for the really heavy duty stuff. (Or when I can’t find my little Makita. Which is now).
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- a touchless live-wire tester
This right here. Everybody should have one of these - not just homeowners, everybody. They're cheap and easy to use.
Circuit breakers can fail shorted. Miswiring happens. Just because the switch is off doesn't mean the wire is dead.
You may avoid electrocuting yourself or someone else, or starting a fire. It could literally save your life.
Can you recommend one? I have a non-touchless volt meter that I can’t figure out for the life of me.
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This is good stuff. For the cameras, Euphys generally have micro SD card slots, can store locally, and are Apple Home compatible and can store data in iCloud. (I realize Apple stuff is not every lemming’s cup of tea, but I daresay iCloud is more secure thatn Euphy’s servers.)
So I personally will forever be on the side of “fuck eufy and I hope they fail miserably” for several reasons:
they initial sold their cameras with the guarantee of no cloud integration. When users found that even if you had it set to be local only it still uploaded thumbnails of every persons face with a “name” attached to an aws server and that portions of camera streams could be viewed remotely without encryption, suggesting that all of this data was being transmitted without encryption. When called out on this eufy doubled down and said it was incorrect. When proven wrong they offered 0 recourse for pissed off customers who purchased it specifically because of their promises that it was “no cloud integration”, their only response was to silently remove references to “no cloud integration” and “military grade encryption” from their website and marketing materials.
This led to a 450,000 dollar settlement earlier this year based on an investigation from the NYAG that found “eufy’s Internet-connected security cameras, video doorbells and smart locks did not fully encrypt video data in transit, despite company assurances that consumer footage would remain private and secure.”
Scumbag company. Fuck eufy.
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For example, I think I'll need a ladder. I'm looking for any suggestions from tools to security cameras, or whatever else you can think of. What should every new home owner consider getting?
Edit: in Canada btw, somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter
wrote last edited by [email protected]Buy good quality air filters (highest particle rating). Just the dust control alone will make a huge difference, especially in an older home.
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One good power drill
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One good set of driving bits
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One good set of drill bits
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Duct tape
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Lubricating oil (wd40 or a 3in1 style oil)
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Hammer
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Drywall anchors for having heavier items
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Kit of random screws and nails
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Flashlight
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Fire extinguisher
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Old towels (for WHEN you spring a leak)
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Measuring tape
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Channel lock wrench (the kind that can be various sizes)
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Wrench/socket set
This will cover a LOT of issues. Outside the drill/bits feel free to cheap out on tools. When they break, then replace with better quality
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For example, I think I'll need a ladder. I'm looking for any suggestions from tools to security cameras, or whatever else you can think of. What should every new home owner consider getting?
Edit: in Canada btw, somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter
Solar panels and home battery 100%, but you have to do it before Dec 31 2025 because the tax credit is going away due to the GOP and Trump
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For example, I think I'll need a ladder. I'm looking for any suggestions from tools to security cameras, or whatever else you can think of. What should every new home owner consider getting?
Edit: in Canada btw, somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter
Whatever you decide to do, do NOT skimp by buying cheap tools. Buy the best quality tools you can afford.
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So I personally will forever be on the side of “fuck eufy and I hope they fail miserably” for several reasons:
they initial sold their cameras with the guarantee of no cloud integration. When users found that even if you had it set to be local only it still uploaded thumbnails of every persons face with a “name” attached to an aws server and that portions of camera streams could be viewed remotely without encryption, suggesting that all of this data was being transmitted without encryption. When called out on this eufy doubled down and said it was incorrect. When proven wrong they offered 0 recourse for pissed off customers who purchased it specifically because of their promises that it was “no cloud integration”, their only response was to silently remove references to “no cloud integration” and “military grade encryption” from their website and marketing materials.
This led to a 450,000 dollar settlement earlier this year based on an investigation from the NYAG that found “eufy’s Internet-connected security cameras, video doorbells and smart locks did not fully encrypt video data in transit, despite company assurances that consumer footage would remain private and secure.”
Scumbag company. Fuck eufy.
Well. I only have 1 camera so far, so I’m not exactly heavily invested. Is there a brand you like?
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For example, I think I'll need a ladder. I'm looking for any suggestions from tools to security cameras, or whatever else you can think of. What should every new home owner consider getting?
Edit: in Canada btw, somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter
wrote last edited by [email protected]I am also a new home owner. Would anyone be interested in a community for swapping tips, answering each other’s questions, ranting about our favorite power tool brands, etc.?
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For example, I think I'll need a ladder. I'm looking for any suggestions from tools to security cameras, or whatever else you can think of. What should every new home owner consider getting?
Edit: in Canada btw, somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter
somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter
Tools and knowhow to repair your heating.
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Really depends on your home, but a few that I had...
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If you have wood floors, a bulk pack of sticky felt pads for furniture you buy to not scratch them up
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Robot vacuum (or vac/mop)
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Basic power tools
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Electric lawn mower/weed whacker that uses the SAME BATTERIES as your power tools
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if you're a nerd and wanna do "smart home" stuff, don't buy smart lights, buy smart switches
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a touchless live-wire tester
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A label maker
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Big pack of furnace filters
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an accordion folder thingy for the billions of documents you'll wanna keep (receipts/user manuals for appliances), property tax assessments, etc
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Bulk pack of lightbulbs with the same colour temperature (it looks idiotic if all your lights are different hues)
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nail-in picture frame hangers, wall anchors (they're YOUR walls now!)
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keycode deadbolt
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most microwaves have a way to enable "silent mode", do that
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water sensors (smart if possible), put under your hot water tank and dishwasher
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double check your laundry room drain actually has a slope to it, and isn't the damn high point in the room
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if you're not living with a romantic partner... I'd suggest not blowing your budget decorating... Let them have the space to feel like they can make the space thiers as well, and accept that means some of your decorations are going to be retired
most microwaves have a way to enable "silent mode", do that
are you fucking kidding me. the thousands of times i have thought about why this didn't exist, fantasizing what changes would be required in the world economy to get rid of those awful noises. you are telling me it does exists?!
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Solar panels and home battery 100%, but you have to do it before Dec 31 2025 because the tax credit is going away due to the GOP and Trump
I don't know that ever new home owner has that kind of money just sitting around
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For example, I think I'll need a ladder. I'm looking for any suggestions from tools to security cameras, or whatever else you can think of. What should every new home owner consider getting?
Edit: in Canada btw, somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter
Weatherproofing to whatever degree needed. I check around exterior doors and windows, replace seals and sweeps, and put the cling wrap on windows if needed before it gets really cold.
Change all locks so prior occupants can't have access.
Snow scoop and salt since you mention the Canadian winter.
Door viewer for the front door. I am currently in a rental with a metal door I can't drill through and I HATE not being able to see who's at the door.
I skipped cameras and just went with door/window alarms. Easy to setup. Less expensive to buy and maintain. Also easy to move and install elsewhere once I find a place that works better. My threat model for home invasion is also quite low.
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I don't know that ever new home owner has that kind of money just sitting around
True, but you can take out a HELOC loan or other if needed. The tax credit that GOP killed and ends Dec 31 is 30%!!!! Everyone should be getting as much solar as they can afford.
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Really depends on your home, but a few that I had...
-
If you have wood floors, a bulk pack of sticky felt pads for furniture you buy to not scratch them up
-
Robot vacuum (or vac/mop)
-
Basic power tools
-
Electric lawn mower/weed whacker that uses the SAME BATTERIES as your power tools
-
if you're a nerd and wanna do "smart home" stuff, don't buy smart lights, buy smart switches
-
a touchless live-wire tester
-
A label maker
-
Big pack of furnace filters
-
an accordion folder thingy for the billions of documents you'll wanna keep (receipts/user manuals for appliances), property tax assessments, etc
-
Bulk pack of lightbulbs with the same colour temperature (it looks idiotic if all your lights are different hues)
-
nail-in picture frame hangers, wall anchors (they're YOUR walls now!)
-
keycode deadbolt
-
most microwaves have a way to enable "silent mode", do that
-
water sensors (smart if possible), put under your hot water tank and dishwasher
-
double check your laundry room drain actually has a slope to it, and isn't the damn high point in the room
-
if you're not living with a romantic partner... I'd suggest not blowing your budget decorating... Let them have the space to feel like they can make the space thiers as well, and accept that means some of your decorations are going to be retired
100% on the water sensors! Gas sensor and carbon monoxide sensor too! I have a gas stove and people are always leaning against it and turning the gas knobs on.
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Can you recommend one? I have a non-touchless volt meter that I can’t figure out for the life of me.
Klein tools are reliable: https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/electrical-testers/non-contact-voltage-tester-pen-50-1000v-ac
But really any similar pen-style non-contact voltage tester that you can find at your local hardware store should work just as well. They're simple devices, and for this function probably the simpler the better. Should be in the US$10-20 range, don't overspend for fancy features. Nothing wrong with a store-brand tool in this case. I'd be concerned if it were $5 or less, might be junk.
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For example, I think I'll need a ladder. I'm looking for any suggestions from tools to security cameras, or whatever else you can think of. What should every new home owner consider getting?
Edit: in Canada btw, somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter
Know how old your roof is and what the lifespan is.
Our house had a 20 year old roof with a 20 year lifespan. First thing we did was replace it with a 50 year roof.
When the mortgage is paid, the roof will still have 20 years left on it.
