You've just purchased a new home from among North Canton homes for sale, and you're undoubtedly eager to pick out curtains, paint colors, and new furniture. But first, you should be aware of potential problems and how to avoid or at least prepare for them. Our real estate agents share how you can be ready for the following issues.

• Plumbing Problems
  Clogged pipes, burst pipes, and leaky pipes can cause significant damage to your home and property. This is why we strongly recommend a comprehensive plumbing inspection and maintenance visit with a certified plumber before you move in. This creates a thorough assessment of the plumbing and establishes a relationship with a plumber you can call should a plumbing problem emerge down the road.

• Electrical Problems
  If you purchase any of the many older Akron homes for sale, be sure to complete a comprehensive electrical inspection. Wiring and fixtures wear out over time, and you'll want to confirm the systems in your home are in good repair. You will also want to make sure that you have good candles, flashlights, batteries, and better still, a backup power generator for an electrical outage. Generators are ideal because they can ensure your lights, security systems, refrigerator, freezer, etc., continue to operate until the power is restored.

• Fire Hazards
  Fire safety is always a top priority. Ensure that your home has fire alarms in the bedrooms, kitchen, garage, laundry room, and hallways. Additionally, it's a good idea to position an ABC fire extinguisher in each of these areas. Finally, be sure to change your batteries at regular intervals, conduct fire drills with your family, and recharge your fire extinguishers when they expire.

• Roof Problems
  Make sure that you have extra roofing materials, tarps, nails, and a few pieces of plywood handy. Should a storm blow shingles off or a windstorm knock a tree branch through the roof, this will help you temporarily repair the damage until a professional roofing contractor can perform a permanent repair. 

• Furnace Failure/Water Heater Failure
  Your furnace and water heater are the hardest-working appliances in your home. Most furnaces last 12-15 years, while most water heaters last between 10-12 years. Make sure to keep (and change) air filters regularly, stay on top of the manufacturer's maintenance requirements, and it won't hurt to enroll in a maintenance plan provided by a local, trusted HVAC service provider. 

• Security Problems
  Security is a priority you can't ignore. Installing a home security system with remote monitoring capabilities will help you keep an eye on the home while you're away. It's also a good idea to install at least one smart lock on the home so that you can access it via a code or through your smartphone to get inside even if a member of your family loses their key.

• Cold Weather and Pests
  Freezing weather, raccoons, birds, insects, and other pests can infiltrate your home via cracks in masonry, gaps in insulation, or open crawl spaces. Sealing these gaps with caulk, weather stripping, insulation, etc., will protect your home from the weather and from pests eager to enjoy a free meal and a new nest. 

We encourage you to contact us to learn more about the steps we recommend new homeowners take to protect their homes from the most common threats and hazards.