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About This Quiz
Owning your own home can be a little stressful, but you love the thought of having a piece of land and a structure to call your own. Unlike renting (even renting a home), there are many elements of owning a home that you have to be prepared for before you dive in. Even if you think you are ready for all of the bills that need to be paid and the repairs that need to be done, there may be many things you aren't taking into consideration. With the thought of all the major elements of your home that you have to maintain as well as the costly repairs that are incorporated into home ownership, you may be feeling that owning your own home isn't nearly as wonderful as it sounds.
However, home ownership is a great way to build your credit, root your family, and even make money, even if there are things for which you need to be prepared. There are many pros and cons to owning a home, and after weighing them out, you have decided that owning is right for you and your family. If you think you're ready to own your own home, take this home ownership quiz to see if you have what it takes.
Which of these is NOT a heat source for your home?
Electric
Gas
Propane
Friction
The three most common heat sources for homes are gas, electric, and propane. The majority of communal homes (condos) will use electric heat sources to avoid issues with carbon monoxide and fire.
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When purchasing a home, who is usually responsible for the down payment to the loan company?
The buyer
Generally, the buyer is responsible for the down payment. The down payment is paid to the lending company for the loan.
The seller
The realtor
The lender
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Your water heater is leaking. What is the first thing you do?
Call the landlord.
Call the insurance company.
Turn off the water source.
The first thing you should do if you notice your water heater leaking is turn off the water source. Next, assess the damage, and call your insurance company if there is extensive water damage. If you have a home warranty company, make sure you contact them to see if they cover repairs or replacements.
Return the house to the seller.
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Which of these is a sign that your furnace isn't working properly?
When you turn it on, it blows hot air.
When you turn it on, it makes a sound.
The flames are blue.
The flames are yellow or orange.
In general, if your furnace makes a sound when it kicks on, this is normal. The fan motor is working to distribute the warm air. However, if the flames of your furnace are yellow or orange, it isn't burning hot enough, and you should have it serviced or inspected.
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How can you protect your pipes from freezing in the winter?
Insulate them with foam or insulation.
If your home is at risk of freezing pipes, be sure to insulate the exposed pipes in the colder areas of your home. Additionally, if your home is prone to freezing pipes, you can keep a running drip of hot water in the sinks throughout your home to ensure they remain thawed.
Expose them to the cold.
Make sure they are close to the furnace.
Turn off all of your water so none runs through the pipes.
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Your pressed wood counter top is swelling where it meets the sink. What is happening?
This is normal.
You have a bug infestation, because bugs like to be around moisture.
The counter is absorbing water, because it isn't properly sealed.
If you have pressed wood counter tops that are a little older, you may notice areas that are swelling. This means that it is taking on water. Be sure to clean the area thoroughly to avoid mold damage, and consider sealing it or replacing it.
Your sink is broken, and you need to replace it.
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What should you do with your hose in the winter?
Keep it running all winter, so the pipes don't freeze.
Detach it from the spigot and put it in the garage.
It is important to detach your hose from the spigot in the winter and put it in a place that is less likely to freeze. Keeping your hose attached to the spigot can lead to frozen water expanding into the spigot, freezing, and bursting the pipe.
Keep it attached to the spigot, but make sure it is empty.
Stretch it long across your yard to drain the water.
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You try to plug in a lamp, and the plug falls out of the outlet. What is happening?
Your plug is broken and you need to buy a new charger.
The outlets in your home are for European electronics.
Your outlet needs a new cover.
The outlet is old and worn and needs to be replaced.
If your outlet isn't holding plugs, it is imperative that you change the outlet. If you are uncomfortable with electricity, contact a professional right away and inspect the rest of the outlets in your home.
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There is a thin crack in your ceiling that wasn't there yesterday. There doesn't appear to be any other damage. What do you do?
Leave the house immediately. It is falling down.
It's a settling crack. Just keep an eye on it.
Settling cracks are common in new and old houses. The ground under your home is sturdy, but it still shifts. As your home settles, it does so unevenly, and this can cause cracks. Keep an eye on the crack and test the floor above the crack (if possible). If you have major concerns, contact a professional.
Poke it with a broom to see if it is soft.
Call a pest control company. You have ants.
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You turned on your light. The light bulb flickered and popped, then it was dark. What do you do?
Change the light bulb.
Light bulbs go out all the time, no matter how expensive they are. Make sure you have spare light bulbs on hand at all times, just in case one goes out when you need it the most.
Call an electrician to rewire your home.
Light a candle and live in the dark.
Buy a lamp.
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What is the stuff that holds the tiles to your bathroom wall called?
Sandstone
Grout
Many bathrooms and kitchens have tile floors and walls. Ceramic tile is easy to clean, but grout isn't as easy to keep clean and it is prone to mold damage. However, grout is the best way to keep tiles in place.
Aged Cement
Regular Cement
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Your dryer doesn't work anymore, and you don't have a manufacturer's warranty. Who is the first person you call?
Your home warranty company
Home warranty companies cover a lot of different aspects of your home, including major appliances. It is always smart to get a warranty when you purchase a home.
Your landlord
Your electrician
The manufacturer
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Which one of these does your home warranty NOT cover?
Furnace
Washing Machine
Water Heater
Roof
Your insurance company should cover any damage to your roof that is not considered normal wear and tear. Most good home warranty companies will cover all of the major appliances in your home.
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How often should you change your air filter?
Once a year
Every 30-90 days (or as necessary)
Depending on what area of the country you live in, replacing your home's air filter is necessary. Make sure you purchase quality filters, because they will last longer and keep your home cleaner.
Twice a year
Once a week
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Where would you find your home's air filter?
Attached to the dryer exhaust
On the roof
Near the furnace or air ducts
Your air filter can generally be found near an air source. This means your furnace (which blows air around your home) and air conditioners are the most common places to find air filters, but you can also find them near air ducts.
They're usually behind the fridge.
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What do you need to properly maintain your water softener?
Salt
Water softeners use salt to help remove calcium and magnesium ions from your water. These ions make your water hard and can cause buildup in your sinks, showers, and toilets.
A filter
Monthly inspections
Chemical treatments
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Which of these is NOT an area of your home that you have to clean?
Doorknobs
Windows
Oven
You have to clean all areas of your home.
It is important to clean all areas of your home. You may find that some areas don't need to be cleaned as frequently as others, but all of them should be cleaned at least once every six months. During flue season, it is important to clean your doorknobs; however, you may find that you only need to clean your oven as often.
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How often should you clean your washing machine?
Once a year
Washing machines don't need to be washed
Once a week
Once a month
While it may seem silly to clean something that cleans other things, cleaning your washing machine is important for maintenance. At least once a month, run an empty cycle, or set your washing machine to the self-cleaning setting.
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How often do you receive mortgage statements?
Annually
Monthly
It is important to pay your mortgage every month. Even if you go paperless, your online account with your lender should have a mortgage statement for you monthly.
Quarterly
Never
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Which of these is NOT a bill homeowners generally have to pay.
Water
Gas/Electric
Garbage
Residential parking
In general, homeowners don't have to pay for parking permits for their residences. However, there are some cities that require parking permits for street parking to reduce space issues.
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What is the cement area on the bottom of the home generally called?
The foundation
The foundation is an essential part of your home. If you notice cracks in your foundation, contact a professional for an inspection. You may find that you also have water damage or structural issues.
The roof
The bottom
The cement
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There is a big brown spot on your ceiling. What is it?
An infestation
A water stain
When water starts seeping through your drywall and paint, you have a major problem. This can come from any number of places, including leaking pipes or a hole in your roof. Call a professional immediately to find the source of the water, and repair the problem.
Paint peeling
Settling cracks
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The first time you turn on your furnace in the winter, it smells funny to you. What should you do?
Call an HVAC company immediately.
Turn it off immediately.
Disconnect it immediately.
This is normal. Keep an eye on it.
Your furnace collects dust when it isn't being used. The first time you use your furnace, this dust will burn off and make your house smell a little weird. Check your vents for black smoke and keep an eye on your furnace. If the smell goes away, you're fine. If the smell persists, consider calling an HVAC company for service.
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Your backyard is slanted toward your house. What is this called?
Sliding
Improper surface grading
If your backyard slants toward your foundation, you should consider building it up or evening it out. Improper surface grading can lead to many problems with your foundation. Water damage to areas of your home can be a costly repair.
Normal
Mounting
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You turn on your microwave while your vacuum is on and all of the power goes out in that area. What has happened?
All of your electric has failed at once.
You blew a fuse.
Blowing a fuse isn't a very big deal. It simply means that too much energy was being used on the same fuse. Consider plugging your appliances in different areas of the home to ensure you don't over run your electrical currents.
You have water damage in your kitchen.
You have a pest control problem.
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Where do you go to fix a blown fuse?
The breaker box in your home
Your breaker box can generally be found in one of the many utility areas of your home. The most common places where you may find it are in the basement or the garage.
The hardware store for pliers
The broom closet for a broom
The pantry for a snack
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Which of these DOESN'T affect your homeowner's insurance premium?
Whether or not your home has a security system
Whether or not you have car insurance
Your veteran status
All of these can affect your insurance premium.
Finding the right homeowner's insurance for your home can be difficult. However, when you call for quotes, make sure you ask about all of the possible discounts they may offer for which you qualify.
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What does FHA stand for?
Federal Homeowner's Association
Firstime Homeowner's Association
Firsttime Homeowner's Administration
Federal Housing Administration
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is a program that began in the 1930s and has helped millions of home buyers secure loans for new homes. While many FHA loans go to first-time homeowners, they are also available to veterans, the disabled, the elderly, and low-income families.
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FHA, VA, and Conventional are all types of what?
Household cleaners
Housing loans
FHA, VA, and Conventional loans are great ways for those who cannot afford to purchase a home outright to get started. VA loans are generally for veterans. FHA loans are reserved for first-time homeowners and low-income families, while conventional loans require a higher credit score.
Drywall services
Home insurances
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How often should you have your dryer vent cleaned?
Every five Years
Annually
While dryer fires are a common cause of house fires, cleaning your dryer vent at least once a year is a great way to prevent them. Additionally, in winter, always inspect the dryer exhaust on the exterior of your home to ensure that it isn't blocked by snow.
Monthly
Weekly
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When a home is sold, who is responsible for starting utility services?
The buyer
The buyer is responsible for turning on his or her own utilities, unless otherwise stated in the contract. Once they go to closing, it is important for the buyer to call all the utility companies right away to start service.
The seller
The real estate agent
The mortgage broker
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What is the difference between a basement and a crawl space?
A crawl space is for children, a basement is for adults.
A crawl space has spiders, basements have mice.
A crawl space is a space meant for access to pipes and wiring, a basement is meant for storage or additional living space.
Crawl spaces are generally used to help homeowners and utility workers access the inner workings of their homes. While basements do offer this, a basement is considerably larger and offers the homeowner additional storage or the opportunity to finish the basement into a living area.
A crawl space is for collecting water, a basement is for protecting the house against water damage.
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Which of these is not considered a large appliance?
Refrigerator
Bread machine
While bread machines can be rather large, they are not considered large appliances. Large appliances are generally items that have stationary settings in your home and cannot be re-positioned without changing electrical wiring or cabinet placement.
Washing machine
Water heater
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You share a fence with your neighbors and it needs to be repaired. How do you find out who is responsible for the repairs?
Look up federal laws.
Ask your neighbor what to do.
Call your landlord.
Look up state laws.
Good fences make good neighbors, but when it comes to costly repairs of a fence, your neighbor may not be so good to you anymore. If this happens, look up state laws regarding fencing and learn more about what rights you have.
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What are the five digits at the end of your address known as?
Zip Code
Your zip code helps the USPS and other package delivery services identify where to send your package. In general, this is the first part of the address they look at to figure out where the envelope or package is going.
Area Code
State ID Number
Home License Number
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You Got:
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