Berks Connect

Congratulations—you just signed what felt like a thousand documents, handed over more money than you've ever spent on anything, and someone gave you keys to a building that's now yours. It's exhilarating and terrifying in equal measure.

Here's the truth nobody tells you: the first few months of homeownership are overwhelming. You'll discover things the inspection missed. You'll realize you have no idea who to call when something breaks. You'll lie awake wondering if that sound is normal or expensive.

This guide won't eliminate those moments, but it'll help you feel less lost. Think of it as advice from a neighbor who bought a Berks County home a few years ago and learned some things the hard way.

What Makes Berks County Different

Before we dive in, understand what you've bought into:

Your home is probably old. Much of Berks County's housing stock dates from the 1920s-1970s. That gorgeous woodwork and solid construction comes with older electrical systems, potential lead paint, and heating systems designed before energy efficiency was a concern. This isn't bad—older homes are often better built than new construction—but it means certain maintenance is non-negotiable.
You'll experience all four seasons, aggressively. Berks County summers hit 90°+ with humidity. Winters drop below freezing for weeks. Your home's systems will be tested. If the previous owner deferred maintenance, you'll find out fast.
The contractor community here is old-school. Many of the best plumbers, electricians, and HVAC techs are multi-generational family businesses. They value relationships over transactions. Be a good customer—pay on time, be respectful, recommend them to neighbors—and they'll take care of you for years.
Utilities are complicated. Depending on where you are, you might have municipal water or a well, natural gas or propane, public sewer or septic. Borough and township services vary widely. Your neighbors are your best resource for understanding local quirks.

Before You Move In: The Critical First 48 Hours

Change the Locks (Seriously, Do This First)

The moment you get those keys, they're already compromised. Think about everyone who's had a copy: previous owners, their kids, their house sitter, their cleaning person, the neighbor who fed the cat, the contractor who did work three years ago, multiple real estate agents, the home inspector. That's a lot of keys floating around.

This isn't paranoia—it's basic security. Don't sleep in that house until you've changed or rekeyed the locks.

Your options, from cheapest to best:

Rekey existing locks ($15-25 per lock): A locksmith changes the pins so old keys don't work. Quick, cheap, keeps your existing hardware. This is fine if your locks are in good condition.

Replace locks entirely ($50-150 per lock installed): If the existing hardware is worn, cheap, or you just want fresh everything. Consider matching all your locks to one key—you'll thank yourself later.

Smart locks ($150-300+ each): Keypad or smartphone-controlled locks eliminate physical keys entirely. You can give temporary codes to contractors, change access instantly, and never worry about being locked out. The August and Schlage brands work well with most doors. Fair warning: they need batteries, and cheap ones fail.

Local Locksmiths in Berks County:

Berks Security Locksmith & Safe Service
440 Penn Ave, West Reading — (610) 374-9580
⭐ 5.0 (5 reviews) — Expert with complex lock issues, reliable products. Denis praised for exceptional service.

Bernie's Locks & Keys
2049 Girard Ave, West Lawn — (484) 638-3383
⭐ 4.6 (10 reviews) — Fast, reliable. Emergency assistance and whole-house rekeying. Fair pricing.

Standard Key & Lock Co.
1123 Reading Rd, Bowmansville — (610) 372-2753
⭐ 4.2 (37 reviews) — Reliable, skilled craftsmanship. Strong community connection, long-term customers.

Browse all locksmiths on BerksConnect.

Set Up Utilities (The Berks County Reality)

Don't show up to a dark, cold house. Contact utilities at least a week before closing—they're bureaucracies, and things take time.

Electric: Met-Ed (FirstEnergy)

Phone: 1-800-545-7741 | Website: firstenergycorp.com
This is straightforward—they serve virtually all of Berks County
You'll need your new address, move-in date, and probably your Social Security number
Online setup is easier than calling

Natural Gas: UGI Utilities

Phone: 1-800-276-2722 | Website: ugi.com
Important: Not all of Berks County has natural gas lines. Rural areas often use propane instead. If your home has a propane tank, you'll need to set up an account with a propane supplier (AmeriGas, Suburban Propane, and several local companies serve the area).
Gas emergency line (leaks, smell): 1-800-276-2722 — save this in your phone now

Water: It's Complicated

Pennsylvania American Water (1-800-565-7292) serves many Berks County municipalities
BUT: Some boroughs and townships run their own water systems. Wyomissing, West Reading, Reading, Kutztown—each has its own utility. Contact your specific municipality.
Well water: If you're in a rural area with a private well, there's no utility to set up—but you ARE responsible for water quality. Get it tested before you move in, and annually thereafter. The Berks County Health Department offers testing.

Sewer: Also Complicated

Connected to municipal sewer? That's usually handled by the municipality or a sewer authority.
Septic system? No utility to set up, but you need to understand your system. Find out when it was last pumped (should be every 3-5 years). And learn what you can't flush—septic systems are far less forgiving than municipal sewer.

Trash and Recycling: The Wild West

Every municipality is different. Some include trash in your property taxes. Some require you to hire a private hauler. Some have municipal contracts with specific companies.
Ask your realtor or call the borough/township office. Seriously—this trips up more new homeowners than you'd expect.
If you need a private hauler: Waste Management, Republic Services, and J.P. Mascaro are the big names. Get quotes—prices vary significantly.

Internet: Limited Options

Comcast/Xfinity is the dominant provider in most of Berks County. Love them or hate them, they're usually your best option for speed.
Verizon Fios is available in some areas (the suburbs, mostly). Check availability at your specific address—it's worth it if available.
Rural areas: Options get thin. Satellite internet (Starlink has improved this) or fixed wireless may be your only choices. Check coverage before you close if internet is critical to your work.

Pro tip: The previous owners' utility bills (if left at closing) tell you what to expect. A house with $400 winter gas bills means either inefficient heating or a drafty house—good to know.

Deep Clean Before You Unpack

Here's something most people skip and then regret: professional cleaning of an empty house.

Once your furniture is in, you'll never clean behind that refrigerator again. You won't pull out the stove. You won't scrub the back corners of closets. And you'll spend years living with whatever the previous owners left behind—hair in the bathroom vents, grease in the oven, mystery stains in closets.

An empty house takes 3-4 hours to deep clean professionally. A house full of your stuff takes twice as long and costs twice as much. Spend the $200-400 now while the house is empty.

What professional cleaners should do:

Clean inside every cabinet, drawer, and closet
Degrease the oven, stovetop, and range hood
Clean refrigerator inside and out (including coils)
Scrub bathrooms including grout and behind toilets
Wipe down all baseboards, door frames, and light fixtures
Clean windows (inside at minimum)
Vacuum and mop all floors

If there are odors: Pet smells, cigarette smoke, or musty basements need more than cleaning. Talk to the cleaners about enzymatic treatments, ozone treatment, or professional odor remediation before you move in.

Move-In Cleaning Services in Berks County:

Eco-Friendly Cleaning, Inc.
119 W Lancaster Ave Suite 4, Shillington — (610) 914-9969
⭐ 5.0 (27 reviews) — Meticulous deep cleaning with natural products. Friendly, professional team.

Merry Maids of Reading
2209 Quarry Dr A15, Reading — (610) 572-2105
⭐ 4.9 (68 reviews) — Professional, detail-oriented teams. Flexible scheduling, pet-friendly.

JirehCleaningServicesInc
238 N 12th St, Reading — (610) 335-5706
⭐ 4.9 (43 reviews) — Punctual, friendly staff. Meticulous attention to detail, competitive pricing.

Above and Beyond Housekeeping Services
2320 Highland St, West Lawn — (610) 334-1649
⭐ 4.8 (198 reviews) — Meticulous home cleaning with luxury touches. Reliable, quick scheduling.

eMaids of Reading PA
1003 Alexander Dr, Temple — (484) 289-2600
⭐ 4.7 (82 reviews) — Excellent for move-in and post-renovation deep cleans. Prompt, reliable.

Browse all cleaning services on BerksConnect.

First Week: Get Your Bearings

You're sleeping in your new house now. You're surrounded by boxes. Everything feels unfamiliar. Here's what actually matters this week.

Deal With What the Inspector Found

That home inspection report you got during the buying process? Time to actually read it again. During the transaction, you probably skimmed it looking for deal-breakers. Now you need to understand what needs fixing and when.

Fix these immediately—like, this week:

Electrical hazards (exposed wiring, overloaded panels, missing GFCIs)
Any hint of gas leaks
Carbon monoxide concerns
Structural issues that could worsen

Fix these before they become emergencies:

Roof problems—a small leak becomes a big leak fast, especially through a Berks County winter
Active plumbing leaks (even small ones)
HVAC issues, particularly if you're heading into extreme weather
Water in the basement or signs of moisture intrusion

These can wait, but don't forget them:

Code issues that don't pose immediate danger
Efficiency improvements
Cosmetic concerns

The honest truth: Most homes have a few things the inspector found that you negotiated repairs for or took a credit on. Did the seller actually fix what they promised? Verify it. Now, while you can still contact them.

Learn Your House's Emergency Controls

Imagine: It's 2 AM. Water is pouring from somewhere. You're panicked. This is not the time to figure out where the shutoff valve is.

Find these now—today—and label them:

Main water shutoff: Usually in the basement, near where the water line enters the house (often the front wall). It's a valve—turn it clockwise to stop all water to the house. Test it now to make sure it actually works. Old valves sometimes seize up.

Individual fixture shutoffs: Under sinks, behind toilets, near the water heater. These let you stop water to one fixture without shutting down the whole house.

Electrical panel: Usually in the basement, garage, or utility room. Open it. Map which breaker controls which area. A previous owner may have labeled them, but don't trust it—verify. When a circuit trips, you'll want to find it fast.

Gas shutoff: There's one at the meter (outside) and possibly a main valve inside. The meter shutoff requires a wrench—keep one nearby. Know the gas emergency number (UGI: 1-800-276-2722).

Outdoor faucet shutoffs: Crucial for Berks County winters. Somewhere inside—usually the basement—there are valves that shut off water to your outdoor hose bibs. If you don't shut these off and drain the outdoor faucets before hard freezes, pipes burst. This is not theoretical. It happens every winter.

Safety Equipment Check

You're trusting your life to equipment the previous owner maintained (or didn't). Verify everything:

Smoke detectors: Press the test button on every one. If it doesn't beep loudly, replace the batteries. If that doesn't work, replace the detector. Detectors older than 10 years should be replaced regardless.
Carbon monoxide detectors: Same drill. If you have gas appliances, you NEED working CO detectors.
Fire extinguishers: Check the pressure gauge (needle should be in the green). Check the inspection date. If it's more than 6 years old or in the red zone, replace it.
GFCIs (the outlets with test/reset buttons): Push "test"—it should click off. Push "reset"—power should restore. These should be in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and outdoor outlets. If any don't work or are missing where they should be, call an electrician.

First Month: Settling In

The boxes are mostly unpacked. You're finding your routines. Now it's time to get proactive about the house instead of just reactive.

Get Your HVAC Serviced

The previous owner told you the furnace and AC "work great." Maybe. But when was it last serviced? Do they even know? If they can't produce maintenance records, assume it's been neglected.

An HVAC tune-up costs $80-150 and can prevent a $5,000 failure. More importantly, it establishes a relationship with a company before you need emergency service in the middle of a January cold snap.

What a real HVAC tune-up includes:

Full inspection of the furnace/boiler and AC unit
Cleaning of key components
Checking refrigerant levels (AC shouldn't need "topping off" regularly—if it does, there's a leak)
Inspecting the heat exchanger for cracks (a cracked heat exchanger can leak carbon monoxide—this is serious)
Changing the filter (but you should be doing this yourself monthly)
Honest assessment of remaining life and any concerns

A word about maintenance contracts: Many HVAC companies offer annual service agreements. These typically include one or two tune-ups per year, priority scheduling for emergencies, and discounts on repairs. Whether they're worth it depends on the deal—calculate if you'd spend more just paying for individual tune-ups.

Ask neighbors: "Who do you use for HVAC?" The good contractors in Berks County are often booked up; word-of-mouth recommendations matter.

Find HVAC services on BerksConnect.

Figure Out Your Trash Situation

You've probably been piling moving boxes and wondering when garbage day is. Time to sort this out.

Every Berks County municipality handles trash differently. Some include pickup in your property taxes. Some contract with specific haulers. Some leave you to figure it out yourself.

What you need to know:

Who picks up trash and when
What kind of container you need (some require specific cans)
Recycling rules (what's accepted, how it's sorted, what day)
Bulk item and yard waste policies

Your best sources: the municipal office, or just ask a neighbor. Neighbors know everything.

The Address Change Marathon

You'll be updating your address for months. Start with the important ones:

Do immediately:

USPS mail forwarding — If you didn't start this before moving, do it now (usps.com)
Driver's license — Pennsylvania requires this within 20 days (yes, really)
Vehicle registration — Same 20-day requirement
Voter registration — Update to ensure you vote in the right district

Do this week:

Banks and credit cards
Health insurance and doctors
Auto and homeowner's insurance (your insurance company needs your correct address)
Employer payroll and HR records
Kids' schools

Do within the month:

Subscriptions (magazines, boxes, deliveries)
Online shopping accounts (Amazon, etc.)
Professional licenses
Pharmacy
Veterinarian

Pro tip: Create a simple spreadsheet to track what you've updated. You'll forget otherwise, and important mail will go to your old address for years.

Review Your Insurance

You have homeowner's insurance—it was required at closing. But do you actually understand what you bought?

Pull out your policy and read it. Know your:

Dwelling coverage: Is it enough to actually rebuild your house? Inflation may have made your coverage inadequate.
Personal property coverage: What's the limit? What's excluded? Do you need riders for valuable items (jewelry, art, collectibles)?
Liability coverage: Probably $100K-$300K. Consider whether that's enough.
Deductible: How much do you pay out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in?

Consider flood insurance: If you're in a flood zone, your mortgage requires it. But even if you're not, 20% of flood claims come from properties outside designated flood zones. Berks County has creeks and rivers. Think about it.

Consider an umbrella policy: For $200-400/year, you can get $1-2 million in extra liability coverage that kicks in above your home and auto policies. If you have assets to protect, this is cheap peace of mind.

Building Your Team: Finding Reliable Service Providers

Here's something experienced homeowners know that new homeowners don't: you need relationships with contractors before you need the work done.

When your furnace dies at 10 PM on the coldest night of the year, you don't want to be googling "emergency HVAC Berks County" and hoping for the best. You want to call the company you already know, who already knows your house, who will prioritize you because you're an existing customer.

Start building these relationships now, even if nothing's broken.

The Big Three: Plumber, Electrician, HVAC

These are your critical home system professionals. You will need all three at some point—probably sooner than you think.

Finding a Good Plumber

Water problems don't wait. A burst pipe at 2 AM is an emergency. A backed-up sewer on Thanksgiving is a disaster. You need a plumber who:

Answers the phone (or calls back quickly)
Shows up when they say they will
Charges fair rates and explains what they're doing
Doesn't try to upsell you on work you don't need

How to establish a relationship: Have them do a small job—fix that running toilet, replace those old supply hoses, address something from your inspection. See how they operate. Then you'll know who to call when it's an emergency.

Recommended Plumbers in Berks County:

Service 360 Group — Wyomissing, ⭐ 5.0 (236 reviews) — Full-service plumbing plus HVAC and electrical. The kind of company that can become your one-stop home services relationship.
JB Plumbing HVAC & Construction — Reading, ⭐ 5.0 (72 reviews) — Known for prompt response and courteous techs. Good emergency availability.
Poseidon Plumbing LLC — Douglassville, ⭐ 5.0 (37 reviews) — Will come out on holidays. When you need a plumber on Christmas morning, that matters.

Browse all plumbers on BerksConnect.

Finding a Good Electrician

Electrical work isn't optional—most of it requires permits and should only be done by licensed professionals. An electrical problem can burn your house down. This isn't where you cut corners.

Good electricians in Berks County stay busy. The best ones are often booked weeks out for non-emergency work. Start looking now.

Warning signs of a bad electrician: Won't pull permits, gives quotes without looking at the work, can't explain what they're doing, significantly cheaper than everyone else (ask yourself why).

Recommended Electricians in Berks County:

KB Electric LLC — Collegeville, ⭐ 5.0 (919 reviews) — Nearly a thousand positive reviews says something. Known for clear communication and expert work.
Married 2 Electric — Pottstown, ⭐ 5.0 (792 reviews) — Specialists in generator installation and EV chargers—relevant if you're considering either.
Top Notch Electric Inc — Reading, ⭐ 4.9 (103 reviews) — Family-run local business with strong community ties and prompt emergency response.

Browse all electricians on BerksConnect.

Finding a Good HVAC Contractor

Your heating and cooling systems are expensive to replace and expensive when they fail. A good HVAC relationship includes annual maintenance (you should be doing this) and priority response when something breaks.

What to look for:

Responsive communication
Technicians who explain what they find and what they recommend (without pressure)
Fair pricing (get multiple quotes for major work)
Good availability for emergencies
Longevity—companies that have been around for decades tend to be doing something right

Recommended HVAC Contractors in Berks County:

INH Heating & Air Conditioning — Leesport, ⭐ 5.0 (27 reviews) — Expert service with transparent pricing. Also handles plumbing, so potentially one relationship for two needs.
Advanced Comfort Specialists — Reading, ⭐ 5.0 (294 reviews) — Consistently praised for prompt service and helping customers save money on repairs.
DeLong & Sons HVAC — Shoemakersville, ⭐ 5.0 (222 reviews) — Family-owned, same-day service, exactly the kind of Berks County multi-generational business that values customer relationships.

Browse all HVAC services on BerksConnect.

The Support Team: Handyman, Landscaper, Snow Removal

A Good Handyman Is Gold

Not every home repair needs a licensed specialist. Hanging shelves, fixing a squeaky door, installing a ceiling fan, minor drywall repairs—these are handyman jobs.

The challenge: finding a handyman who shows up reliably, does quality work, charges fairly, and isn't too busy to take small jobs. They exist, but they're in demand. Ask neighbors for recommendations.

Find handymen and general contractors on BerksConnect.

Lawn and Landscaping

If you're not mowing your own lawn, you need a service. If you have landscaping beds, someone needs to maintain them. Spring cleanup and fall cleanup are real things in Berks County—leaves pile up fast in October.

Tip: Good lawn services book up in early spring. Contact them in February or March, not May.

Find landscaping services.

Snow Removal: Don't Wait Until It Snows

This is critical: sign up for snow removal before winter. Good services have limited capacity. Once the snow starts flying, they're not taking new customers.

Understand what you're signing up for:

Trigger depth: How many inches before they come? 2 inches? 4 inches?
Timing: How quickly after the snow stops? Same day? Next morning?
What's included: Driveway? Sidewalk? Walk to front door? Salting?
Pricing: Per push? Per season? Per inch?

Seasonal contracts give you budget predictability. Per-push pricing might be cheaper in light winters but expensive in heavy ones.

Other Services You'll Eventually Need

Pest control: Older Berks County homes often have visitors—mice seeking warmth, stink bugs finding cracks, ants discovering crumbs. Preventive quarterly treatment is worth considering.

Gutter cleaning: Twice a year (spring and fall) unless you have gutter guards. Clogged gutters cause water damage, and water damage is expensive.

Chimney sweep: If you have a fireplace or wood stove, annual inspection and cleaning. Creosote buildup causes chimney fires.

Tree service: The big trees around Berks County homes are beautiful until they drop a limb on your roof or a whole tree comes down in a storm. Have concerning trees evaluated by an arborist.

Home Maintenance Calendar

Homeownership comes with ongoing maintenance. Here's what to do when:

Monthly

Test smoke and CO detectors
Check HVAC filter (replace every 1-3 months)
Run water in rarely-used drains (prevents sewer gas)
Check for leaks under sinks

Quarterly

Check and clean dryer vent
Inspect caulk around tubs, showers, sinks
Test garage door safety features
Check water heater for signs of issues

Twice Yearly (Spring and Fall)

HVAC tune-up (AC in spring, heating in fall)
Clean gutters
Inspect roof (binoculars from ground)
Check weatherstripping and caulk around windows/doors
Test sump pump (spring especially)
Service lawn equipment

Annually

Chimney inspection (if applicable)
Water heater flush
Inspect attic for leaks, pests, insulation issues
Check dryer vent duct for buildup
Review and update homeowner's insurance

Projects to Consider

First Year Projects

Depending on your home's condition and your priorities:

Efficiency improvements:

Insulation upgrades (especially attic)
Air sealing around windows, doors, outlets
Smart thermostat installation
LED lighting throughout

Safety and security:

Security system or cameras
Better exterior lighting
Upgraded locks (if not done at closing)
Fire escape ladder for upper floors

Comfort and function:

Paint rooms you want to refresh
Update fixtures (light switches, outlets, door hardware)
Address any water pressure or plumbing issues
Improve storage

Bigger Projects (Plan Ahead)

If you're considering major renovations:

Get multiple quotes for any significant project
Check contractor credentials (licensing, insurance, references)
Understand permit requirements
Plan for timeline and budget overruns

See our Guide to Hiring Home Services for more on working with contractors.

Important Documents to Organize

Keep these in a safe, accessible location:

Closing documents: Title, deed, mortgage papers
Home inspection report: Reference for future repairs
Warranties: Appliances, roofing, HVAC, windows
Receipts: Major purchases and home improvements (tax and insurance purposes)
Manuals: Appliance and system manuals
Service records: HVAC maintenance, pest control, etc.
Insurance policies: Homeowner's, flood, umbrella
Contractor contacts: Your go-to service providers

Living in Berks County: What Your House Will Teach You

Your First Berks County Winter

If you moved here from somewhere warmer, you're about to learn things. Berks County winters are real—we get cold snaps below zero, ice storms that coat everything, and snow that piles up.

What your house needs to survive winter:

Heating system that works reliably. Get it serviced in early fall.
Outdoor faucets drained and shut off. Find those interior shutoffs and close them before the first freeze.
Weather stripping and caulk in good shape. Cold air will find every gap.
Ice melt and shovels on hand. Buy these in October, not during the first snowstorm when everyone else is panicking.
Know your snow removal plan. Shoveling yourself? Sign up for a service? Decide before snow flies.
Understand your pipes. If you have pipes in exterior walls or unheated spaces, learn where they are. In extreme cold, you may need to let faucets drip to prevent freezing.

See our Winter Services Guide for a complete breakdown.

If You Bought an Older Home

That character and craftsmanship in your 1940s colonial comes with some reality checks:

Electrical systems: Homes built before 1960 often have outdated wiring. Knob-and-tube wiring, fuse boxes instead of breakers, ungrounded outlets, insufficient amperage for modern life. Some of this is immediate safety concern; some is just inconvenient. Have an electrician evaluate what's urgent vs. what can wait.

Lead paint (pre-1978): Any home built before 1978 may have lead paint, especially on trim, windows, and doors. It's safe if it's intact and painted over. It's dangerous if it's peeling, chipping, or you're doing renovation that disturbs it. Test before you sand, scrape, or remove painted surfaces.

Plumbing: Galvanized steel pipes (common in homes built 1920s-1960s) corrode from the inside and eventually fail. Some older homes still have lead service lines connecting to the municipal water supply. Know what you have.

Asbestos: Used in floor tiles, ceiling tiles, insulation, and siding from the 1940s-1970s. Like lead paint, it's harmless if undisturbed but hazardous if you start tearing into it. Test before doing demo work.

Heating efficiency: That old boiler works, but it's probably operating at 60% efficiency. A modern system runs at 95%+. Your heating bills may be higher than expected until you upgrade.

Rural Properties: Wells and Septic

If you're outside municipal services, you're responsible for your own water and waste. This is different from anything you've experienced in a city or suburb.

Well water:

Test annually for bacteria, nitrates, and other contaminants
Learn about your well—how deep, what type of pump, where the pressure tank is
Know the signs of well problems (air in lines, dirty water, pressure drops)
Have a relationship with a well service company before you need one

Septic systems:

Get it pumped every 3-5 years (more often with heavy use or a small tank)
Know what you can't flush: No wipes (even "flushable" ones), no feminine products, no grease, no coffee grounds, no harsh chemicals. Your septic system is a living ecosystem of bacteria breaking down waste. Treat it kindly.
Know where your tank and drain field are—don't drive over them or plant trees nearby

The Money Reality: Your First-Year Budget

Nobody tells new homeowners how much homeownership actually costs beyond the mortgage payment. Here's the honest version:

The maintenance rule: Budget 1-2% of your home's value per year for maintenance and repairs. Bought a $300,000 home? That's $3,000-6,000 annually in upkeep. This isn't optional—deferred maintenance costs more later.

First-year expenses you probably didn't budget for:

Stuff the inspection found that you're now fixing
Tools you didn't know you'd need (a decent toolbox, ladder, lawnmower, etc.)
Utility deposits and the shock of actually paying all utilities yourself
Window treatments, fixtures, and things the previous owner took with them
The project you absolutely must do right now because you can't stand looking at it
The emergency that happens because the universe tests new homeowners

The emergency fund: Financial advisors say 3-6 months of expenses. That's table stakes. Add a home repair reserve—$5,000-10,000 you can access when the water heater dies or the roof starts leaking. Because it will, eventually, and probably at the worst possible time.

The psychological adjustment: For years, you called the landlord when something broke. Now it's your problem. Your money. Your responsibility. This is genuinely stressful at first. It gets easier as you learn your house and build your contractor relationships.

Find Services on BerksConnect

As a new homeowner, you'll need reliable service providers:

Related Guides:

New Homeowner Checklist for Berks County