Buying a new home is one of life’s most exciting milestones. At Direct Residential Communities, we want homeowners to feel confident in their investment from move-in day and beyond. Understanding your warranty coverage and following a few simple maintenance practices can help you protect your home, maintain its performance, and enjoy greater peace of mind. In this guide, we’ll cover new home warranty tips and simple steps you can take (read below) to care for your home and make the most of your warranty coverage.
Report Now, or Wait to Do a Punchlist?
One of the most important new home warranty tips is to address warrantable concerns as soon as they arise. Rather than waiting until the end of the first full year to compile a list of items, Direct Residential Communities encourages homeowners to contact their warranty team year-round if/when an issue arises.
This approach allows concerns to be reviewed and resolved more efficiently, helping homeowners receive timely support while maintaining their home’s quality and comfort.
Understanding Your Warranty Coverage With Direct Residential Communities
Direct Residential Communities partners with the 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty program to provide coverage for qualifying warrantable items after the first year of ownership.
Simple Maintenance Tips For New Homeowners
- HVAC Filters: During the first two years of homeownership, HVAC filters should be changed monthly. Regular filter replacement helps improve airflow, supports indoor air quality, and reduces strain on your heating and cooling system. Even if you buy a filter that claims to last 90 days or longer, change the filter every month.
- Lawn Care: New-construction sod requires extra attention while establishing strong roots. Consistent watering, proper fertilization, and routine mowing will help promote a healthier, thicker lawn. New sod should generally be treated as newly installed during its first two years. Regular watering of your new lawn helps develop strong roots, protecting against erosion during storms and preventing weeds from sprouting.
- Water Heater: Flushing your water heater once a year helps remove sediment buildup, maintain efficiency, and support long-term performance. This simple maintenance step can help extend the service life of your water heater.
- Prepare for Cold Weather: Before the first freeze of the season, turn off exterior hose bibs, close interior shutoff valves, and drain any remaining water from the lines. Keeping these lines winterized until freezing temperatures have passed can help protect your plumbing system during colder weather.
When Should I Submit A Warranty Request For My New Home?
If you notice a workmanship or material defect, don’t wait. Our recommendation is simple: contact us as soon as the concern arises. Addressing issues immediately results in quicker evaluation and resolution, helping you get the greatest benefit from your warranty coverage.
New homeowners are eligible for a one-time drywall touch-up to address nail pops and settling cracks in livable areas of the home. If the walls do not have wallpaper or custom paint colors, paint will also be applied to the repaired areas.
Natural settling is a normal part of homeownership. As your home experiences changing temperatures, humidity, and all four seasons, minor drywall movement may occur. The drywall touch-up is designed to address these settling-related conditions after the home has had time to adjust naturally.
Your new home is built to provide years of comfort and enjoyment. By combining regular maintenance with a proactive approach to warranty requests, you’ll be well-positioned to protect your investment and keep your home looking and performing its best.
Quality You Can Count On
Direct Residential Communities has also earned the Platinum Builder Award from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, the highest level of recognition in its builder program. The award is based on factors including homeowner feedback, warranty service performance, and consistency in meeting quality standards.
For homeowners, that recognition provides another reason to feel confident in the builder you choose, both at move-in and throughout the warranty period.
Common Questions New Homeowners Ask About Their Warranty
1) Does Direct Residential Communities provide a one-year home inspection?
No. Rather than scheduling a one-time end-of-year walkthrough or punch-list appointment, homeowners are encouraged to submit qualifying warranty concerns as they occur throughout the year. This approach helps ensure issues receive timely attention.
2) What drywall repairs are covered under my new home warranty?
The 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty includes a one-time drywall touch-up for nail pops and settling cracks in livable areas of the home. When applicable and when no wallpaper or custom paint color is involved, original paint may be applied to the repaired areas.
3) Should I wait until the end of the year to submit warranty concerns?
No. Homeowners are encouraged to contact the warranty team as soon as a qualifying concern is noticed. Immediate reporting helps facilitate quicker evaluation and resolution.
4) Why does my new home have nail pops or settling cracks?
Minor drywall movement can occur as a home naturally settles through seasonal temperature and humidity changes. This is a normal part of the homeownership experience and is one reason the drywall touch-up is offered within that first year.
5) What maintenance tasks are most important during the first two years of owning a new home?
Some of the most important maintenance tasks include changing HVAC filters monthly, properly caring for new sod, flushing your water heater annually, and winterizing exterior water lines before freezing temperatures arrive.
