My credentials: I've owned old homes, and my family flipped houses when that was the thing to do in the early aughts. My dad is a builder. I'm unwilling to spend a lot of money on my home unless I have to. Here's some of my knowledge:
There will be a rush of things that you'll need to fix when you first move in. It is inevitable. Expect this and know that it won't last forever.
Focus on building an emergency fund before spending big money on voluntary projects. You don't need new countertops right now as badly as you will need to fix your heat pump when it decides to go out in February.
If you truly know very little about houses, ask your inspector if they will walk you through your house's systems. They're trained to thoroughly understand how houses work, and most that I've met love to share their knowledge.
Water in a place it shouldn't be is an urgent thing! Find where it is coming from right away. Know where all your cutoff valves are and find your water main connection (if you're on city water). If you're on a well, know how to turn the pump off and restart it.
Little, tedious maintenance is key. If you can do the small things frequently, you're less likely to have expensive repairs later. Boring advice, but true. You can DIY a lot of these things. YouTube will teach you how.
A fresh coat of paint will cure a lot of ills. So will a tube of caulk and a caulk gun. So will a really deep clean.
Finally, enjoy your home. Live completely in it. This is your own place in the world that can be exactly what you want. more
