Moving into your first house is an exciting time. However, the process of knowing what needs to be done as a first-time homeowner during, before and after a move can be downright overwhelming. Thankfully, the following five tips will ensure you get started on the right foot:
1.) Take Care of All Your Basics
Before going further, make sure you have looked over “The Top 10 things to do on Your First Day in Your New Home” this will ensure your basic stuff, like getting mail started/transferred and utilities switched, are taken care of, then move on to the following suggestions…
2.) Consider The Future When Furnishing
Furnishing your first house is almost as fun as finding it to begin with. Many new homeowners make the mistake of skimping on their furnishes, going second hand or simply buying cheaper furnishings. This is understandable. After all, home ownership isn’t cheap and it can be quite a shock for a first time homeowner. However, be sure to at least consider the future when furnishing your home. Buy some quality basic pieces that will grow with you as a family and will be multi-functional enough to serve their purpose for years to come. For example, consider pieces that can be expanded or arranged differently for more options down the road.
3.) Prepare to Embrace Challenges, Chaos and Eventual Conquests
Before owning a home, you were either be renting or living under your parent’s roof. This means the repair work to your home, when the need arose, as well as the regular maintenance that homes require was thankfully someone else’s responsibility. This is all about to change when you move into a place of your own. Be prepared for the chaos and challenges that will inevitably ensue. Thankfully, though, when you tackle the tasks at hand and come away more educated and experienced, you will be the better for it.
4.) Make a Maintenance Checklist/ Schedule
Speaking of the tasks that many homeowners face, most of them will either be prevented or at least minimized by regular maintenance. Your former landlord likely had a crew who performed regular maintenance on your place of residence. Now, you have to be that maintenance crew and keep your home in tip-top shape. The following are some tasks you should make sure to do on a regular basis:
Monthly:
- Check fire extinguishers.
- Clean garbage disposal.
- Clean range hood filter.
- Clean plumbing fixtures.
- Change HVAC filers.
- Clean drains
Every Six Months
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. ( Before completing this step, make sure you have enough alarms for your home. Also, note if you need a rope ladder for second floor rooms and get one.)
- Clean refrigerator coils.
Annually
- Have termite inspection performed.
- Clean exterior dryer vent.
- Have chimney professionally cleaned
- Inspect all plumbing.
- Have cooling/heating systems serviced.
- Clean gutters.
5.) Familiarize Yourself With Your Home
Now that you own a home, you want to make sure you are truly the master of your domain. To do this, you need to know where everything is so you can access it quickly. Locate your main water valve and fuse box now. In an emergency situation, you do not want to waste time finding these all-important locations.
By following the tips listed above, you will ensure your experience as a first time homeowner is a good one.
Sources:
https://www.mymove.com/moving/15-tips-moving-first-house