Essential Guide for Troy Homeowners
Owning a home in Troy means protecting a significant investment (median $300,000) while navigating city services, HOA requirements, seasonal maintenance, and Michigan's challenging weather. This comprehensive guide covers everything Troy homeowners need to know for successful home ownership.
🏠 Your First Year as Troy Homeowner
Essential First-Year Tasks:
Immediately After Purchase:
- Change Locks: $150-$300 for whole-house rekey
- Transfer Utilities: DTE Energy (electric/gas), City water
- Schedule Roof Inspection: Elite Roofing offers free inspections
- Test All Systems: HVAC, plumbing, electrical
- Locate Shut-offs: Water main, gas, electrical panel
- Review HOA Rules: If applicable
First Month:
- File Principal Residence Exemption (PRE): Reduces property taxes - file with Troy assessor
- Update Insurance: Ensure adequate coverage ($300K+ homes need sufficient liability)
- HVAC Service: $150-$200 tune-up ensures efficiency
- Gutter Cleaning: $100-$200, essential before winter
- Winterization: If purchasing in fall
First Year:
- Experience all four seasons in your home
- Identify any recurring issues (leaks, drafts, etc.)
- Establish service provider relationships
- Budget for actual utility costs
- Plan major improvements or updates
📅 Seasonal Maintenance Schedule
Spring (March-May):
- Roof Inspection: Check for winter damage, missing shingles ($0 with Elite Roofing)
- Gutter Cleaning: Remove winter debris ($100-$200)
- HVAC Service: A/C tune-up before summer ($100-$150)
- Lawn Care Start: Fertilization, weed control ($50-$90/month)
- Power Wash: Siding, deck, driveway ($200-$400)
- Window Screens: Clean and repair
- Irrigation System: Start-up and inspect ($75-$125)
Summer (June-August):
- Lawn Maintenance: Weekly mowing ($35-$55/week)
- Tree Trimming: Remove branches near roof ($200-$500)
- Deck/Fence Staining: Every 2-3 years ($500-$1,500)
- Window Cleaning: Interior/exterior ($150-$300)
- Check Roof Ventilation: Ensures attic stays cool
- Pest Control: Summer treatment ($80-$150)
Fall (September-November):
- Gutter Cleaning: Critical before winter ($100-$200)
- Furnace Service: Before heating season ($100-$150)
- Winterization: Outdoor faucets, irrigation system ($75-$125 winterization)
- Chimney Cleaning: If you have fireplace ($150-$250)
- Storm Windows: Install if applicable
- Lawn Winterization: Final fertilization
- Snow Equipment: Test snow blower, stock salt/ice melt
Winter (December-February):
- Snow Removal: Driveway/sidewalk ($35-$60 per visit or $500-$1,200 seasonal contract)
- Ice Dam Prevention: Keep gutters clear, monitor roof
- Prevent Frozen Pipes: Insulate exposed pipes, maintain heat
- Check Attic: Ensure proper insulation and ventilation
- Monitor for Ice Dams: Remove snow if accumulation excessive
- Test Backup Systems: Sump pump, generator if applicable
🏛️ City of Troy Services
What's Included in Your Taxes:
Trash & Recycling:
- Trash Pickup: Once weekly (included in water bill)
- Recycling: Every other week (included)
- Yard Waste: Spring/fall pickup (included)
- Bulk Pickup: Schedule special pickups
Snow Removal:
- City Streets: Troy plows major roads and subdivisions
- Your Responsibility: Driveway and sidewalk within 24 hours of snowfall
- Sidewalk Law: Required to clear or face fines
Water & Sewer:
- Billing: Quarterly water/sewer bills
- Average Cost: $60-$90/month ($180-$270 per quarter)
- Includes: Water, sewer, trash, recycling
Contact Information:
- City Hall: (248) 524-3300
- DPW (Roads/Snow): (248) 524-3477
- Water Billing: (248) 524-3320
- Building Dept: (248) 524-3315
- Code Enforcement: (248) 524-3477
🏗️ Permits & Building Codes
When You Need a Permit in Troy:
Requires Permit:
- Roof Replacement: Required ($50-$100 permit)
- Deck Construction: Required
- Fence Installation: Required (height restrictions apply)
- HVAC Replacement: Required
- Electrical Work: Major work requires permit
- Plumbing: Major work requires permit
- Additions: All structural work
- Basement Finishing: Required
No Permit Needed:
- Interior painting
- Carpet/flooring
- Kitchen/bath updates (non-structural)
- Landscaping
- Minor repairs
Permit Process:
- Apply: Troy Building Department, online or in-person
- Timeline: 1-2 weeks typical approval
- Inspections: Required at various stages
- Contractor Responsibility: Most contractors handle permitting
🏘️ HOA Living in Troy
Homeowners Association Considerations:
Many Troy neighborhoods (Northfield Hills, Somerset areas) have HOAs governing property standards.
Common HOA Rules:
- Exterior Changes: Approval required for roof colors, siding, major landscaping
- Maintenance Standards: Lawn care, exterior upkeep required
- Parking: No commercial vehicles, boat/RV storage restrictions
- Fences: Style and height restrictions
- Holiday Decorations: Timing and type restrictions
HOA Approval for Roofing:
- Most HOAs have approved color palettes
- Submit color samples before ordering materials
- Approval typically takes 1-2 weeks
- Elite Roofing experienced with all Troy HOA requirements
HOA Benefits:
- Maintains neighborhood aesthetic and property values
- Common area maintenance
- Community events and amenities
- Enforcement of standards protects your investment
💰 Budgeting for Home Ownership
Annual Homeowner Budget ($300K Troy Home):
| Property Tax | $6,000-$6,500 |
| Homeowners Insurance | $1,500-$2,000 |
| Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water) | $3,600-$5,500 |
| Lawn Care/Snow Removal | $1,500-$2,500 |
| Maintenance Reserve (1-2% home value) | $3,000-$6,000 |
| HOA Fees (if applicable) | $600-$2,400 |
| Pest Control | $320-$600 |
| HVAC Service | $200-$350 |
| Total Annual (beyond mortgage) | $16,720-$26,850 |
Monthly Average: $1,400-$2,250 (beyond mortgage payment)
Major Replacement Costs (Budget Over Time):
- Roof: $10,000-$18,000 every 20-30 years
- HVAC: $8,000-$15,000 every 15-20 years
- Water Heater: $1,200-$2,500 every 10-15 years
- Windows: $15,000-$30,000 every 20-30 years
- Driveway: $3,000-$6,000 every 15-20 years
🏠 Protecting Your Troy Investment: Start with Your Roof
Your roof is your home's first line of defense against Troy's harsh weather - 40 inches of snow, ice dams, wind storms, summer hail. A quality roof protects everything inside and maintains your property value.
Elite Roofing: Troy Homeowner Partner
- ✅ Free Annual Inspections: Catch small issues before they become expensive
- ✅ Lifetime Warranty: Protection for entire home ownership
- ✅ 24/7 Emergency Service: Storm damage happens - we're always available
- ✅ Insurance Specialists: Help maximize your claim
- ✅ HOA-Compliant: Handle approvals and documentation
- ✅ GAF Master Elite: Top 3% nationwide, premium warranties
📞 Essential Troy Contacts
Emergency:
- Police/Fire/Medical Emergency: 911
- Troy Police Non-Emergency: (248) 524-3477
- DTE Energy Outage: (800) 477-4747
- Elite Roofing Emergency: (555) 123-4567 (24/7)
City Services:
- City Hall: (248) 524-3300
- Building Department: (248) 524-3315
- Water Billing: (248) 524-3320
- Parks & Recreation: (248) 524-3484
- Library: (248) 524-3538
Utilities:
- DTE Energy: (800) 477-4747
- Xfinity: (800) 934-6489
- AT&T: (800) 288-2020