Tips for First Time Homeowners
Ron Morris • June 1, 2021
10 Tips for First Time Homeowners
- If you have hardwood flooring do not spend money on expensive “hardwood floor cleaners.” Instead mix 1 part Windex with 10 parts water in a spray bottle.
- If you have an interior door that rubs on the jamb and is hard to close, try removing one of the hinge screws opposite of where it is rubbing and insert a 3” screw. Most times it will pull the jamb back enough to prevent rubbing.
- Keep your gutters clean-if you do not the water will sheet flow over blocked gutters and run down the exterior walls of your home. It could enter your home through old and brittle caulking on the way down and then into your basement if you have bad drainage.
- Bathroom caulking-If you have ceramic in a tub or shower it should always be caulked in the 90-degree corners, where the ceramic sits on the tub and where the tub sits on a ceramic floor. You always want to prevent the water from contacting the underlying wood members.
- Running toilets are costing you money. Most times it is the rubber flapper that needs replaced. They can be purchased for a few dollars at a hardware store.
- Stop-do not call an electrician if you have outlets that do not work. Check these 2 things. First, all outlets that are within 6’ of a water source are called GFCI protected. They are overly sensitive and trip very easily. Their purpose is to prevent shock. Typically, some of the outlets on your kitchen counter, bath vanities, and at your electrical panel will have test and reset buttons. Find the one that is tripped and reset it. If it continues to trip, then you should call an electrician. Secondly, many rooms in your home may be on what is called a switched receptacle-this is where ½ of a duplex outlet will be worked by a wall switch. The purpose is so when entering a room without an overhead light you can flip the switch to access a lamp.
- Sealing decks. If done properly this will further the lifespan of the wood members 2-fold. Make sure you do this when the wood is completely dry. The best time is mid-summer. If you are a do it yourselfer and want to build a deck, make sure that all your lumber is rated “ground contact”.
- If you need window parts, be aware of contractors who tell you that the “whole window needs replaced.” There is a website called swisco.com that can get almost any window part that was made. A neighbor got an estimate for $1,250 for a window replacement. He was able to get the part on this website for under $5.
- Hose bibbs-VERY IMPORTANT-as soon as the weather starts to get chilly make sure to turn off your exterior hose spigots at the interior hose bibb shutoff, unhook any hoses and then turn on the exterior spigot to release any water that is trapped.
- Do not spend hundreds of dollars on an exterminator to get rid of ants. Terro makes a gel product that if you follow the instructions will eliminate most problems.
Maryland and Frederick County: A Growing Housing Affordability Crisis Each year around this time, I share data that highlights the growing challenge of housing affordability in Maryland—and this year is no exception. Maryland now ranks as the 8th most expensive state in terms of wages needed to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment. A worker must earn $39.15 per hour —or nearly $81,450 annually —just to meet that threshold. Unfortunately, the situation in Frederick County is even more severe. Alongside Calvert and Charles counties, Frederick tops the list, requiring a staggering $44.50 per hour —equivalent to $92,560 annually —to afford a two-bedroom apartment. Meanwhile, the average renter in Frederick earns just $18.25 per hour , which translates to an affordable rent of only $949 per month —far below what the market demands. This stark disparity is exactly why the mission of Interfaith Housing Alliance (IHA) is so critical. We are committed to addressing these inequities and advocating for solutions that make safe, stable housing accessible to all. Below, you’ll find the 2025 data from the National Low Income Housing Coalition , detailing housing affordability across Maryland and its counties.
Interfaith Housing Alliance (IHA) is proud to announce two funding awards received this quarter from community partners. In July 2025, IHA received a $3,500 grant from The Croteau Family Charitable Gift Fund, which is a donor-advised fund (DAF) held at T. Rowe Price Charitable. IHA also received a $5,000 grant from The Natelli Communities Charitable Fund of The Community Foundation of Frederick County. These unrestricted funds will support all of IHA’s endeavors in strengthening the many communities we serve.
Money can sometimes feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to! This October, Interfaith Housing Alliance is offering our next Financial Freedom Bootcamp, a free, two-part workshop designed to help you take positive steps toward financial stability and confidence. The bootcamp kicks off with an in-person workshop on October 15th from 5:30–7:00pm, where participants will explore the building blocks of financial health. You’ll learn how to create a budget that actually works for your lifestyle, discover the best practices for saving, and walk away with strategies for reducing debt in realistic and manageable ways. After the first session, participants are invited to take part in an optional virtual Credit Café, a supportive space to dive deeper into questions about credit and money management. This extra resource helps reinforce what you’ve learned and gives you the chance to connect with others working toward similar goals. The second workshop will be held virtually on October 29th from 5:30–7:00pm, making it convenient to join from home. This session will focus on building confidence when communicating with creditors, understanding your credit, and setting SMART goals to stay on track for the future. Together, these two sessions provide practical, easy-to-use tools to support your financial journey. No matter where you are starting from—whether you’re new to budgeting, trying to rebuild your credit, or just looking for ways to feel more in control—Financial Freedom Bootcamp is a welcoming and encouraging place to begin. At a Glance What : Financial Freedom Bootcamp – free, two-part workshop series When: October 15th (in-person) & October 29th (virtual), both 5:30–7:00pm Topics: Budgeting, saving, debt reduction, credit confidence, SMART goal setting Extras: Optional virtual Credit Café between sessions Register: Contact Lacy Allen at lames@interfaithhousing.org or 301-662-4425 ext. 1203