[mixsonci]

As a single woman, new to TV, I am finding it difficult to know what to do and what needs to be done with the house.

I can't be the only one with this problem. What have others done? Please tell me some of the problems you have had and how you dealt with them?

Every time I find something that I should be doing, I don't know where to turn. If I get advice, most times I don't even know what they are talking about or how to go about getting it done. For instance, there are all kinds of gadgets on the outside of my house, I have no clue what some of them are or what I should do with/to them, if anything. I figured out one of them is the dryer vent and was told I should clean it out, how? Another post said something about checking up on the roof, how important is this? I am not about to be climbing up on the roof anytime soon. There is this little camera looking think on the side of the roof, what is it and do I need to check it?

I guess I could call a handyman, but how does that work, every time I have one little issue or question do I just call him to come over for a 15 minute advice job? Big jobs, like hanging pictures, I understand, but not the 100+ questions I have every day about one thing or another.

I'm having second thoughts about buying a house as a single woman, (I have no family in the area). I think I should have gone with a Condo.

Appreciate your advice. cm

[Villager Joyce]

Originally Posted by mixsonci

As a single woman, new to TV, I am finding it difficult to know what to do and what needs to be done with the house.

I can't be the only one with this problem. What have others done? Please tell me some of the problems you have had and how you dealt with them?

Every time I find something that I should be doing, I don't know where to turn. If I get advice, most times I don't even know what they are talking about or how to go about getting it done. For instance, there are all kinds of gadgets on the outside of my house, I have no clue what some of them are or what I should do with/to them, if anything. I figured out one of them is the dryer vent and was told I should clean it out, how? Another post said something about checking up on the roof, how important is this? I am not about to be climbing up on the roof anytime soon. There is this little camera looking think on the side of the roof, what is it and do I need to check it?

I guess I could call a handyman, but how does that work, every time I have one little issue or question do I just call him to come over for a 15 minute advice job? Big jobs, like hanging pictures, I understand, but not the 100+ questions I have every day about one thing or another.

I'm having second thoughts about buying a house as a single woman, (I have no family in the area). I think I should have gone with a Condo.

Appreciate your advice. cm

Many women with husbands are in the same boat.

[kfierle]

I, too, an a single woman who owns a home in The Villages. Don't worry, you will get your answers, you just have to give it some time. That little camera looking thing on the side of the roof is a rain sensor for your irrigation. It fills with water when it rains and stops your irrigation from operating when moisture is present. As for cleaning the dryer vent, just call Desmond Harris at 352-308-9243. He does a great job and the cost is very reasonable. If you provide the 9 volt batteries, he will change the batteries in all your smoke alarms, irrigation back-up battery, and anything else that needs a battery changed.

Make friends with your neighbors. They may be able to answer all of your questions.

As always, just ask your question here and I am sure you will get plenty of answers.

You might want to keep a notebook of names and numbers of contractors you hire to help you around the house. The first person in my notebook in my handyman. When I first bought, I felt like he was becoming my new best friend!

[Villager Joyce]

Originally Posted by kfierle

I, too, an a single woman who owns a home in The Villages. Don't worry, you will get your answers, you just have to give it some time. That little camera looking thing on the side of the roof is a rain sensor for your irrigation. It fills with water when it rains and stops your irrigation from operating when moisture is present. As for cleaning the dryer vent, just call Desmond Harris at 352-308-9243. He does a great job and the cost is very reasonable. If you provide the 9 volt batteries, he will change the batteries in all your smoke alarms, irrigation back-up battery, and anything else that needs a battery changed.

Make friends with your neighbors. They may be able to answer all of your questions.

As always, just ask your question here and I am sure you will get plenty of answers.

You might want to keep a notebook of names and numbers of contractors you hire to help you around the house. The first person in my notebook in my handyman. When I first bought, I felt like he was becoming my new best friend!

Are you willing to share the name and contact info Of your handyman?

[graciegirl]

I know the Cunninghams from Cunninghams home service and I consider them skilled in fixing a myriad of things and trustworthy people.

[kfierle]

Originally Posted by Villager Joyce

Are you willing to share the name and contact info Of your handyman?

I use Alan Byer. He is an advertiser on this site and can be reached at 352-205-7504.

[Bonnevie]

I, too, am a single woman. when I first moved in to my resale I was always running to my neighbor....I didn't know how to change the ac filter, I didn't know how the shower went on (never saw a pull down from the fixture one). for stuff like that the neighbors will help you or just ask here. My outside outlet didn't work and I posted here and people explained the reset buttons for the outside gfi outlets were in the garage (my previous house had them outside).

[asianthree]

even though I am married I do the majority of the repairs. I find that this site is helpful with finding people to do repairs that I'm not capable of. You will find people that you live near our friendly and a lot of times the husbands will help out because it gives them something to do.

[raynan]

Start walking around your neighborhood and get to know them. Friendly neighbors are like gold and most love to help each other.

[Momser123]

If your home is new call the home warranty office, they'll give you advice and recommendations. If it's preowned they probably can still hep with your district and lot number. Look on you villages ID for that info.

[pbkmaine]

We found all our repair people, MDs, landscapers, etc., by coming on here and doing searches. If the search didn't give us the answers, we asked on here or asked our neighbors. Our neighbors are incredibly helpful. Do you have neighborhood gatherings? If not, start one! They are great for sharing information.

[l2ridehd]

Post your questions on here. Someone will have the answer. Just send me a PM and I will answer them for you. I am somewhat handy.

[redwitch]

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

Post your questions on here. Someone will have the answer. Just send me a PM and I will answer them for you. I am somewhat handy.

l2 is being modest. He's extremely handy and extremely helpful.

If you're not comfortable asking your neighbors for help and don't want to constantly ask questions here, it might be worth your nickel to hire a handyman or someone else knowledgeable for an hour just to answer your questions and answer some basic questions.

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I know the Cunninghams from Cunninghams home service and I consider them skilled in fixing a myriad of things and trustworthy people.

Well said, Gracie. Don and BK can do everything.
Bkcunningham1@yahoo.com
When they say complete home services, they mean it.
Cunningham's Complete Home Services - Home

I understand your befuddled feelings. It is not easy managing the house alone, and I felt overwhelmed at first. It does not sound like there is anything really wrong, so why not take your time and make a list of things that you need to understand or want to have fixed.

You might want to get educated about the various systems in your house, and Don Cunningham is a great one to help you.

[paulat585]

Originally Posted by mixsonci

As a single woman, new to TV, I am finding it difficult to know what to do and what needs to be done with the house.

I can't be the only one with this problem. What have others done? Please tell me some of the problems you have had and how you dealt with them?

Every time I find something that I should be doing, I don't know where to turn. If I get advice, most times I don't even know what they are talking about or how to go about getting it done. For instance, there are all kinds of gadgets on the outside of my house, I have no clue what some of them are or what I should do with/to them, if anything. I figured out one of them is the dryer vent and was told I should clean it out, how? Another post said something about checking up on the roof, how important is this? I am not about to be climbing up on the roof anytime soon. There is this little camera looking think on the side of the roof, what is it and do I need to check it?

I guess I could call a handyman, but how does that work, every time I have one little issue or question do I just call him to come over for a 15 minute advice job? Big jobs, like hanging pictures, I understand, but not the 100+ questions I have every day about one thing or another.

I'm having second thoughts about buying a house as a single woman, (I have no family in the area). I think I should have gone with a Condo.

Appreciate your advice. cm

I, too, am a single woman who just bought on 3/19. Deal closed 8 days after my offer, so I was stunned. What I found incredibly helpful was:

1.following the home inspection guy (Ron Roosa) around as he rattled off info about everything in and out of the house.

2.talking to neighbors

3. visiting with the 3 people I knew in The Villages and writing down almost everything they said about how they managed their own homes

4. asking Villages people everywhere I went (e.g. at the swimming pool, in classes, at card games). All you have to do is mention that you are new & people practically fall all over themselves trying to help.

5. Read, reread and print out all the helpful suggestions on this site under the category "Nuts and Bolts of the Villages."

I feel incredibly lucky to have moved someplace where it is easy to get answers to the common questions newcomers have. Thank you!