Homeowners have a lot more freedom than renters, but with that freedom comes a lot more responsibility. Renters can call their property manager when their toilet won't stop running or there's a leak in the roof. Homeowners, on the other hand, need to deal with the problem themselves or hire someone to take care of it for them. Below are six home maintenance skills every homeowner should know. 

Water can cause major damage in a home, and finding a flooded floor means you need to be able to shut off the water quickly. Knowing where your main shut-off valve is can save you thousands of dollars in damage. You can ask a plumber or your home inspector to help you locate the main water valve in your home. It's generally at ground level and near your water meter. It's also possible to shut off your water from the outside water meter, but the valve might require specific tools to turn it. 

Unclogging a drain using a small plunger and a drain snake is a much better option than using pricey chemicals that are harsh. Once you've removed the clog manually, try combining a cup of baking soda in the drain, then adding four cups of boiling water, and finishing with a cup of vinegar. This natural chemical reaction will keep your drain smelling fresh and loosen up leftover debris from the clog.

The first step to take when you smell gas or think there's a gas problem is to call your gas company and then immediately leave your home. Knowing how to turn off the gas yourself just in case you need to is very important. The shut-off valve is usually located outside of your home, near the water meter and requires an adjustable pipe or crescent-type wrench to turn the valve. To turn off the gas, turn the valve head so it is perpendicular to the pipe. Once you have done this, do not turn the gas back on until a professional can assess the problem.

Knowing how to find a wall stuff can save you time and money when you're looking to put up shelves, hang decor, or install a TV mount. Instead of hiring a professional, consider purchasing a stud finder from a store likes Lowe's or Home Depot to locate the boards behind your wall. Generally, studs are spaced 16 or 24 inches apart. If you start at a corner, you can expect to hit a stud every 16 or 24 inches from the initial corner stud.

Having good air quality in your home is a matter of keeping up with changing your air filters. If your home seems dusty or your energy bills are high, have a look at your air filters. They probably need to be changed! If you have pets or allergies, you should change your filters every 30 to 90 days. If you don't have pets or allergies, it's recommended to change them every three to six months. You can find the size of the air filters you need by looking at the old one. There are even services that will automatically deliver air filters to your home on a pre-determined schedule so you never forget. 

Homes that were built after 1960 usually have an electrical panel filled with circuit breakers, which provide power to appliances and light every room in your home. When a circuit is overloaded, the designated breaker trips, which shuts off the power to that area of the home. If you're having problems with an outlet in a specific room, first check if the outlet has a reset button, which is common for grounded outlets, which are generally located in bathrooms and kitchens because of their proximity to water.

f that doesn't work, have a look at your circuit breaker box and see if it has tripped and you need to reset the breaker. If you haven't already, make sure you know which switches control which rooms in your home and that they are properly labeled. Open the panel cover and look for the breaker that's in the off position and flip it back on. If this doesn't solve the problem, turn each breaker off and on again.

The importance of cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting is vital for protecting our homes and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. We're sharing our tips, resources, and information for cleaning during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Which products you will utilize to clean is one of the first things to consider. The American Chemistry Council shared a list of products that can be used to fight Coronavirus. Once you have determined the cleaning supplies you will use, have a look at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's website for a cleaning and disinfecting guide. 

​The American Cleaning Institute also has tips for cleaning in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. Some of the tips include frequent hand washing, disinfecting frequently touches surfaces such as light switches, handles, door knobs, and desks, wiping down shopping carts with antibacterial wipes, and washing reusable bags after arriving home from the grocery store. 

The CDC also recommends using disposable gloves while cleaning and disinfecting and to throw away the gloves afterwards. Diluted solutions with bleach, most common EPA-registered household disinfectants, and alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol are effective disinfectants, according to the CDC. You can make your own bleach disinfectant by mixing 1/3 cup of bleach per gallon of water. It is also recommended to launder clothing immediately after returning home, and to sanitize your laundry baskets and laundry areas. Consider laundering items on the warmest water allowed for the garment, too. 

Real estate professionals use their phone frequently, so remember to clean and disinfect your phone with something like a Clorox wipe that has at least 70% alcohol. We don't recommend using a product that contains bleach so you don't ruin your phone's surface. Whatever cleaner you decide to use, make sure it has time to sit and work in disinfecting before wiping it with an unused microfiber cloth. 

​If you're having a difficult time finding cleaning products, filling a spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol can be an alternative to store-bought cleaning products. 

The situation with COVID-19 is continually changing, and it's safe to say everyone has a lot of questions. Because real estate transactions often utilize third-party service providers, each situation is different. Our aim is to provide resources and answer questions you may have with the information we have available at this time. 

Pennsylvania's Governor ordered all non-life sustaining businesses to shut down. Does that include real estate businesses?
All real estate sales and leasing businesses have been ordered to close their physical locations until further notice. The order does not apply to remote operations, as long as social distancing and other measures are followed. We understand this to mean that brokers and agents can conduct whatever activities they can from home, but should not be in an office, and should likely avoid conducting business in client's homes. Most third-party providers (inspectors, contractors, title companies, etc.) have been impacted by the Governor's mandate as well. 
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​Resources:
-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
-World Health Organization
​-Business Closure Order
-Life Sustaining Business PDF
​-National Association of Realtors Coronavirus Guide
-COVID-19 Addendum to the Agreement of Sale 
-County Recorders of Deeds status in each county
-Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Coronavirus Information
​-Pennsylvania Association of Realtors Coronavirus Updates