The following contribution is from another author.
Being a new homeowner is an exciting time for you. You now have a property to call your own that you can truly personalize and ensure fits your style and taste.
However, homeownership isn’t always glamorous and thrilling. It’s also a lot of hard work and will require your time, attention, and money along the way. The following are some top tips to keep in mind as a new homeowner so that you can focus on the right areas and ensure a successful transition into owning and being in charge of a property.
Budget Accordingly
Start by budgeting accordingly and properly so that you have the money you require when you need it. Your finances will change now that you have a mortgage and other monthly bills such as energy and cable. You’ll want to ensure you have the funds you need to always pay your bills on time and not be scrambling at the last minute. Automate the payments you can so that you don’t have to remember to pay these bills each month. Be budget conscious and not only make ends meet but try to save up some cash on the side for emergencies and other house projects. . Always keep all of your homeowner documents and receipts organized so that you know where to find them when necessary.
Keep up with Maintenance
Another top tip to keep in mind as a new homeowner is that you should get in the habit of keeping up with home maintenance. There will be daily, monthly, and seasonal tasks to tackle and that you will want to take care of as a new homeowner. Some maintenance will be essential to you being comfortable and staying safe in your home such as changing your air filters, checking your smoke detectors, and investing in maintenance for your Internal air conditioning system. It’s wise to follow a checklist and perform inspections on areas of your home every so often to make sure everything is in proper working order.
Hire Qualified Contractors
As a new homeowner, there will be some projects and to-dos you won’t want to or simply can’t do yourself. In this case, you’ll want to hire a contractor to help you get the job done right. You shouldn’t just hire anybody for the job but make sure that you screen the person first and ensure they are a qualified and licensed contractor. It may be helpful to get input or recommendations from friends and family in the area and to read reviews of the contractor online before hiring them to perform any work on your home.
Get to Know Your Neighbors
It’s a good idea to reach out and get to know your neighbors when you’re a new homeowner. You never know when you’ll need someone to check on your home or pet or get the mail for you while you’re away. Be friendly and approachable so that you can get to know those around you better over time. You can work together as a community to watch over each other’s properties and report any suspicious activity. Your neighbors might also have recommendations for you about what restaurants or shopping to check out in the area.
Fresh Paint will Help
You may like the property you move into but also know that it could use some work. Instead of diving into large projects right from the start, it’s a good idea to live in your home for some time before you spend time and money updating it. What you can do in the meantime is apply fresh paint to the walls and other areas such as cabinets or trim so that you can make your home appear more modern. Paint is also a great way to brighten up dark spaces or make small spaces look larger. Be sure to bring home paint samples and put these on the walls before committing to a particular color.
Make A Plan for Improvements
Think through whether you want to make repairs or significant improvements to your home as you get settled. You’ll want to have a plan in place for what projects you are going to want to tackle and a timeline and budget. Do your homework first to get a better idea of what’s trending and what other homeowners are doing so that your home is up to date. As a new homeowner, you should know that making improvements will cost you and may take some time. It’s not something you want to decide overnight. Instead, write down what repairs and improvements you wish to make and put the tasks in priority order along with noting how much each will cost you. Consider what will give you a return on your investment versus what might be nice to have.
Take Time to Decorate
You should also make time to decorate your home as the new owner. It’s easy to get busy and distracted and leave the walls blank and rooms unfinished but eventually, you won’t enjoy living this way. Start by painting and furnishing your rooms and then build on your themes and colors by adding window treatments, the proper lighting solutions, and some décor pieces and artwork. Pay attention to the front entryway as this will be what people see first when they enter your home. Put out some family photos, and fresh flowers, and place a few plants strategically throughout your rooms as well.
Unpack & Maintain Cleanliness
You’re going to be quite busy as a new homeowner. However, you shouldn’t put off unpacking for another time. You’ll be much happier when you make unpacking your boxes a priority and get all your belongings put away where they belong. It will require some time and planning on your part but you’ll be glad you did it when you see how great and organized your home looks when you’re done. Go at it strategically so that you’re happy with the final layout and where you put stuff away. Also, get in the routine of having a regular cleaning and decluttering schedule and maintain cleanliness so that your home is free of dust, dirt, and grime. You’ll be more at peace in your home and everyone will stay healthy and happy when you live in a clutter-free and clean property.
Pay Attention to Curb Appeal
It’s easy to spend all your time fixing up the inside of your home when you first move in. However, you also shouldn’t ignore the exterior of your property. Pay attention to the curb appeal and make updates that not only enhance the look and feel but that help personalize it and make it your own. Clean up and maintain the landscaping, decorate the front porch and take care of any major projects that may be dragging down the looks of it such as the garage doors, driveway, or siding and roof.
Don’t be Afraid to DIY
While you won’t want to do all the work yourself as a new homeowner, there may be some projects you can do on your own time. Even though this is all new to you, you shouldn’t be afraid to DIY. Know your limits and make sure you educate and prepare yourself for each project before diving in to ensure a successful outcome. Some tasks such as building or painting furniture, fixing broken floorboards, or replacing locks and hinges can be done yourself, while plumbing and electrical projects might be best left to the professionals. When you do projects yourself then you can save money, learn new skills, and get the outcome exactly the way you want it.
Be Patient
Be patient and take your time getting settled and familiar with your property as a new homeowner. Avoid trying to do everything at once right away so that you don’t feel overwhelmed and stressed and have regrets later on. Get to know your home first and figure out what you like and don’t like and what you might want to eventually change. It can take time to feel completely comfortable and at home in a new property so go easy on yourself and let the move all sink in. Make sure that it’s where you want to stay for a while before you invest a lot of time and money in updating it and personalizing it.
Conclusion
There’s a lot to think about and do as a new homeowner, which can feel overwhelming initially. However, give yourself a chance to get comfortable with your role and what owning a home will require of you. If you live with your spouse and family then work as a team to upkeep and maintain your property so that not all the weight is on your shoulders. Refer to the inspection report regularly as well to ensure you’re taking care of the essential fixes and repairs and then turn your focus to the more fun and exciting projects you may wish to complete once you have the money saved up. Most importantly, enjoy being a new homeowner and use any mistakes you do make as a learning opportunity for the next time you want to buy another home.
