First time homeowner. I closed on my house last Thursday. It is an old 3/2 in the M Street area of Dallas (built in 1928). I am doing some small repairs for about 2-3 weeks before I move in and wanted to post to see if anyone has an idea of something they had wished they would have done before they moved into their house. Being a first time homebuyer I am new to any and all issue and wanted to see if I am missing anything. The house also has a pool and I know little about pools.

Painting, flooring, pest control.

Hire a pool person; it can get out of control quickly!

Good idea on the pest control. I haven't noticed many bugs but I am sure they are there. I'm guessing you just hiring an exterminator to get out there and do his thing?

Definitely painting and pest control before you move in. I would also suggest leveling it if it is on pier & beam.

Basically, run down that mental checklist of everything you've done at any place you've lived where moving furniture and other items out of a room became a giant pain. Do any of those things you can before you move in.

Leveling before any floor work, and also keep in mind that leveling will probably throw all of your doors out of whack so they won't close/lock properly, you'll need to be on top of that when the time comes.

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I don't know what I'm talking about.

Hire a maid to come do a detailed cleaning before you move all your stuff in. Probably messy from a move-out, you'll want the bathrooms scrubbed thoroughly, and gives a chance to clean those spots that may never be cleaned again once furniture is place.

Ditto on the pool service. This time of year a pool can get ugly fast. Just call a pool service company and tell them you're a new pool owner and need to have it checked out. Also tell them you'd like to have the pool tech teach you the basics while he's there. Cost will be fairly minimal and it is well worth it. Always good to know at least a little, even if you decide to use a pool service. We do everything ourselves, it's really pretty simple once you get the hang of it.

If you plan on refinishing any hardwood floors, you'll be much happier doing it before you move in.

Ditto all above especially pool. With this hot weather, run main pool pump 24x7 and keep water up to top of skimmer inlets until you can get pool service. Then let them advise. If you want a security system and there is not one, get it in now. Board can give recs on good companies and systems. Have ADT and pleased.

I would recommend Venus Pest Control. They have sponsored Texags at one point or another, but I have used them on my house in Lakewood and was very happy with them. The main guy in Dallas is an Ag.

Great suggestions. How do you get set up for nat gas?

EOE, I assume you were a Sig Ep? What year?

You are required to post pics of your projects on this board.

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The house also has a pool and I know little about pools.

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There was your first mistake. Pools suck. Big time. You will quickly realize this. Just pay a company to do the maintenance.

In regards to the pool - as a first time pool owner (for three years now), I am still learning. And I am a chemist! Ha! Anyway, check out www.troublefreepool.com - the forums there have a wealth of information.

To start with just go buy some bags of shock and throw two in there until a pool guy can come.

If you have ceilings with the popcorn texture and hate them (like my wife), they are much easier to scrape before you move in. It is a fairly easy but very messy process to wet and then scrape, but it is a pain when you have to deal with furniture.

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I'm guessing you just hiring an exterminator to get out there and do his thing?

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yeah most companies will have some sort of generic bug service which they'll come do like once a quarter, just to keep most bugs away.

also, hopefully you got to verify the house was termite free before you bought it, but that's another option if you want to be extra safe.