Book offers help to fledgling home owners

Kimberley McGee

Monday, March 27, 2000 | 8:29 a.m.

It's the little things that count, and the little things that can add up to insurmountable problems for new homeowners.

And now there is a little book to help keep the little things at bay.

"The New Homeowner's Handbook -- What To Do After You Move In," gives inexperienced homeowners tips and advice that could keep them from possibly losing their new homes.

The handbook covers a large array of topics including fire safety, energy saving tips, shabby-chic remodeling, second mortgages, budgeting and preventive maintenance, and offers check lists, outlines and timelines.

The book, which debuts in area bookstores in May, is a project of the Nehemiah Corp., a nonprofit organization that specializes in making affordable housing possible through "gift money" loans and other assistance.

Nehemiah, based in Illinois, has assisted more than 1,300 Las Vegans with down payments on their first homes and more than 40,000 Americans since the corporation's inception in 1994. With the book, the company hopes to help people keep their homes as assets.

"Nehemiah serves as a catalyst for wealth creation through responsible home ownership," Don Harris, president and executive director of Nehemiah, said. "But a key component of responsible home ownership is for people to keep their home once they get in it."

Most of Nehemiah's clients are hard-working families with decent credit who need help with the down payment on a house, Harris said.

But once the family has scraped together a down payment, they doesn't always know what to do next. And they may wind up in a maze of house repairs, overdue bills and other unforeseen hidden home costs.

"We found once they moved in, they still had questions," Harris said. "What is in this book is based on talking to real people."

Some people prey on the ignorance of homeowners, who may extend their credit to pay for big back yards, window treatments and other upgrades for their new palace.

"Our view is that when you own a home you have to think about living within your means, that you have adequate funds, reserve funds," Harris said. "This book will help."

The corporation hired authors Barbara B. Buchnolz and Margaret Crane to write the book. Each has extensive knowledge of home ownership, from inexpensive remodeling to mortgage maladies.

"We are taught a lot of things, but when was the last time someone sat down with you and told you this is what you need to do?" Harris said.

Certain items such as water heaters, air conditioners and heating units can become more expensive to fix if they are not maintained.

Then there are the legal issues: How do you properly and adequately know how to insure a home, and then understand what, exactly, that insurance covers?

By talking with their customers Nehemiah recognized that a lot of them were the first in their families to ever own a home.

"They can't just ask a relative, someone close, (questions)" Harris said. "We wanted to give them their bible on how to do these things. To not only get the home but stay in the home."

Those looking to plant roots in the valley with their first home can attend Nehemiah's home buyer fair at the Las Vegas Convention Center on June 3.