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05-05-2010, 12:09 PM
I will be moving into a parsonage, in turn pastoring my first church on June 27th. What are some things I should know or do as a first-time-house-liver.
I have heard everything from buy a dehumidifier to don't underestimate how much life costs.
What advice do the members here have for people like me. As I know there are many on here getting married very soon, so there are probably more than just me.
I have heard everything from buy a dehumidifier to don't underestimate how much life costs.
What advice do the members here have for people like me. As I know there are many on here getting married very soon, so there are probably more than just me.
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05-11-2010, 01:14 PM
Graduate of Lindsey Wilson and moving into a parsonage in June, you gotta be a Methodist minister. I asked around and here are some thing you need to know. These will not apply to the typical first time home owner, because in the Methodist Church the actual church owns the parsonage.
1. Find out if you are paying the utilities, insurance, cable, phone or is the church? If you are, speak with the previous resident and find out the average cost, then contact the utilities, pay your deposits and set up a payment plan reflecting the previous residents average. It makes it easier to budget. First time ministers are paid less than minimum wage when you average out your hours.
2. If the Church does own the property, get renters insurance in the amount of twice what it would take to repalce your belongings. You are going to accumulate a lot of stuff while you're there and you don't want to be updating your insurance every year.
3. Do a walkthrough of the house with the chair of the Trustees and make a checklist of any damage. Unless it is vital to daily life, DO NOT ASK FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED FOR AT LEAST A YEAR. After a year ask if they can fix the damage.
4. Find out how they want you to hang pictures. Is it okay to use nails or do they object to holes in the wall?
5. If the parsonage is beside the church, take a spare bedroom or another unused room and make it your TV/relaxation room. There are going to be people knocking at your door nearly every night, telling woefull tales of broke down cars, sick relatives and asking for money. You cannot meet every need so have a sancuary where you can ignore the knocks. It also helps to park at the church and not the driveway. With no car people will assume you are not home.
I know other tips. If you need more let me know via PM.
PS--Pipe tape and lots of duct tape is a must.
1. Find out if you are paying the utilities, insurance, cable, phone or is the church? If you are, speak with the previous resident and find out the average cost, then contact the utilities, pay your deposits and set up a payment plan reflecting the previous residents average. It makes it easier to budget. First time ministers are paid less than minimum wage when you average out your hours.
2. If the Church does own the property, get renters insurance in the amount of twice what it would take to repalce your belongings. You are going to accumulate a lot of stuff while you're there and you don't want to be updating your insurance every year.
3. Do a walkthrough of the house with the chair of the Trustees and make a checklist of any damage. Unless it is vital to daily life, DO NOT ASK FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED FOR AT LEAST A YEAR. After a year ask if they can fix the damage.
4. Find out how they want you to hang pictures. Is it okay to use nails or do they object to holes in the wall?
5. If the parsonage is beside the church, take a spare bedroom or another unused room and make it your TV/relaxation room. There are going to be people knocking at your door nearly every night, telling woefull tales of broke down cars, sick relatives and asking for money. You cannot meet every need so have a sancuary where you can ignore the knocks. It also helps to park at the church and not the driveway. With no car people will assume you are not home.
I know other tips. If you need more let me know via PM.
PS--Pipe tape and lots of duct tape is a must.
05-11-2010, 02:51 PM
1. Take the time to inspect the house for drafts. May not seem like much, but come winter if you have gas heat it could be the difference in 100.00+ dollars a month.
2. Check all the plmbing and make sure there are no cracks. A ten dollar piece of PVC is better than a 200.00 bill to replace water damage.
3. Embrace paper plates. You are sure to have quite a few visitors, no need dirtying up an entire sink full of dishes every night.
4. Buy plenty of power strips. You'll be surprised how many times you find yourself wishing the other power outlet was just 3 feet closer.
5. Invest in a nice tool set... at some point you'll need it and it will be at a time when you just can't leave to go get what you need.
6. Establish one drawer as your "junk drawer". Put extra bolts, super glue, flashlights batteries, candles, and all the other kick nacks in there. One day it will save you a major headache. Also, keep the owner's manuals... trust me.
7. Maybe the most important...resist the urge to go on a shopping spree. That brand new 52" LED TV sounds like a bargain and something you can't live without right now...you may think differently 6 months later.
2. Check all the plmbing and make sure there are no cracks. A ten dollar piece of PVC is better than a 200.00 bill to replace water damage.
3. Embrace paper plates. You are sure to have quite a few visitors, no need dirtying up an entire sink full of dishes every night.
4. Buy plenty of power strips. You'll be surprised how many times you find yourself wishing the other power outlet was just 3 feet closer.
5. Invest in a nice tool set... at some point you'll need it and it will be at a time when you just can't leave to go get what you need.
6. Establish one drawer as your "junk drawer". Put extra bolts, super glue, flashlights batteries, candles, and all the other kick nacks in there. One day it will save you a major headache. Also, keep the owner's manuals... trust me.
7. Maybe the most important...resist the urge to go on a shopping spree. That brand new 52" LED TV sounds like a bargain and something you can't live without right now...you may think differently 6 months later.
05-11-2010, 02:53 PM
Also,
This is a luxury by all means, but if you can afford to buy one new personal item for your house don't get the big TV, don't get a stereo system, don't get a pool table, don't get the super nice fridge......
BUY YOURSELF A HUGE BED, HIGH THREAD COUNT SHEETS, AND NICE PILLOWS!!!!!!!!
Trust me... the best investment I ever made was my King Bed. No matter how rough of a day I have I can look forward to sleeping and getting a comfortable night's rest.
This is a luxury by all means, but if you can afford to buy one new personal item for your house don't get the big TV, don't get a stereo system, don't get a pool table, don't get the super nice fridge......
BUY YOURSELF A HUGE BED, HIGH THREAD COUNT SHEETS, AND NICE PILLOWS!!!!!!!!
Trust me... the best investment I ever made was my King Bed. No matter how rough of a day I have I can look forward to sleeping and getting a comfortable night's rest.
05-11-2010, 03:27 PM
Best thing ive bought for my house my bed lol but I am doing a little remolding now that winter is over.
05-11-2010, 10:19 PM
EKUAlum05 Wrote:1. Take the time to inspect the house for drafts. May not seem like much, but come winter if you have gas heat it could be the difference in 100.00+ dollars a month.
2. Check all the plmbing and make sure there are no cracks. A ten dollar piece of PVC is better than a 200.00 bill to replace water damage.
3. Embrace paper plates. You are sure to have quite a few visitors, no need dirtying up an entire sink full of dishes every night.
4. Buy plenty of power strips. You'll be surprised how many times you find yourself wishing the other power outlet was just 3 feet closer.
5. Invest in a nice tool set... at some point you'll need it and it will be at a time when you just can't leave to go get what you need.
6. Establish one drawer as your "junk drawer". Put extra bolts, super glue, flashlights batteries, candles, and all the other kick nacks in there. One day it will save you a major headache. Also, keep the owner's manuals... trust me.
7. Maybe the most important...resist the urge to go on a shopping spree. That brand new 52" LED TV sounds like a bargain and something you can't live without right now...you may think differently 6 months later.
Sounds like you had a rough first year EKU
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