If you’ve recently purchased a new home, you’re probably feeling excited about this next phase of your life. If it’s your first home purchase, you may be wondering, “What now?” Owning a house, especially your first one, can be exciting and overwhelming. Read on to discover some helpful advice for new homeowners.
Advice for New Homeowners: Set Money Aside for Emergencies
An older home can be an excellent investment, but may come with its fair share of problems due to wear and tear. Plan for upgrades and repairs. Make sure you put a little money aside each month for the inevitable issues that will come up. Things will break, and you want to make sure you’re covered when they do.
Hire the Right People
Owning a home means you’re responsible for everything from repairs to pool maintenance to appliance upgrades, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get help. An essential tip for new homeowners is to find reliable local professionals you trust, such as plumbers, electricians, and landscaping professionals. In the meantime, brush up on home improvement skills by investing in quality tools, reading how-to articles, and watching instructional videos of straightforward repairs.
Advice for New Homeowners: Know When to Work and When to Wait
There’s a difference between a repair and an upgrade. While you settle in and get to know your property, hold off on making major renovations for a while after you move in. But don’t ignore essential repairs and fixes you need to make your home livable. You will have plenty of time in the future to customize your home to your taste.
Get Good Insurance
Accidents and unexpected events happen, and unfortunately, some can be serious. Ease your mind by being prepared for unpredictable burglary incidents and severe weather. Research and purchase total-loss homeowner’s insurance. If you don’t already have it, this is also a good time to buy life insurance.
Advice for New Homeowners: Keep Documents Safe
Buying a home involves a lot of paperwork. Keep it safe and organized in a fireproof safe, using labels or folders to manage documents. You will want sections for insurance, mortgage, and a place to keep receipts for tax purposes.
Get to Know Your New Neighborhood
Part of the fun of a new home is getting to know your new neighborhood. Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Drive or walk around town to check out local shops and restaurants to get used to the area.
Enjoy Your New Home
When you feel like there are a million little projects to tackle, it can be hard to pause and enjoy your home. Don’t rush into projects. Spend time settling in so you can decide what really needs to be addressed first.
Prime Home Inspection Services provides inspections to homebuyers and sellers in the Atlanta area. Contact us to request an appointment.