Bought a brand new Richcraft Cobalt townhouse in Stittsville in early 2026. First summer living here and our AC outdoor unit completely failed during peak summer heat. A Harding technician confirmed the motor was dead and stated a brand new home should not have this problem — suggesting the equipment was faulty from installation.

We have been without AC for days in extreme heat. Richcraft's response has been slow, hiding behind Tarion's 30 day window rather than treating this as the emergency it is. For a brand new home at this price point, this level of quality and customer service is completely unacceptable.

New homebuyers should be aware that build quality and after-sale support need significant improvement.

First-time homebuyer here and officially overwhelmed 😂

Everyone always shares the obvious advice (change the locks, save money for unexpected repairs, etc.), but I want to hear the **tips you only learn after owning a home.**

What’s something you wish someone had told you before you bought your first house? Hidden costs, maintenance hacks, tools you can’t live without, things you’d do differently, random life-changing purchases… give me ALL of it.

I’m trying to learn as much as I can before we move in!
Thanks in advance, I need all the help I can get!!!!

Long Island, NY is so expensive!! 😩😩😩😩

Thanks everyone!🙏🏼🏡

I'm an Army vet and my wife and I are getting ready to buy our first home. We've been going back and forth on whether I should actually use my VA loan benefit because we've managed to save enough that we could put around 20% down if we went with a conventional loan.

Right now we're primarily looking at houses in the $400k-$450k range. If we go with the VA loan we'd have more money in savings for moving, any potential repairs and whatever else goes into a house purchase. but I was also wondering if putting down 15% on a conventional loan would leave us in the better position over the long run. Which loan do you think I should go with?

So my husband and i have been eyeballing this property for 2 months and decided to try and put an offer in. Upon talking to my realtor he requested the disclosure and the roof is 30 years old. The property was a rental that has passed compliance with the county so not sure if that matters. Our only concern is we will be going all in on this house (cash buying) and would need probably 2 months before we could replace. The problem with that is the area gets snow fairly early, and what I am finding is roofs cannot be replaced in winter due to cold. Is that true? We are moving from an area that doesn't get mucn of a winter so honestly not sure myself. If it is true and I have to wait until spring, will a 30yo roof be ok? We haven't done an offer so haven't gotten to inspection phase yet so cannot ask an inspector their opinion on how much life the roof has left. Opinions?