6 Confidence-Boosting Tips for New Homeowners
Are you a new homeowner feeling bewildered by what to do after buying your first house?
Maybe you just bought your second or third home and don’t want to repeat the mistakes you made the last time around.
Being solely responsible for something as huge as a house feels daunting, especially if you plan to update or renovate your new home, too.
And while TV makes it look easy to put your stamp on a home — it’s not. Producers of home improvement shows have deep pockets and the luxury of editing out problems that pop up during construction. You don’t.
The good news is you will, in time, grow more comfortable in dealing with your new home and the occasional issues that crop up. And after you get a few renovations under your belt, those will get easier, too. Notice I said easier; renovations are never easy.
In the meantime, stick with these strategies and safely dip a toe in the vast waters of home ownership.
#1 Wait to remodel
Don’t rush to make your home perfect. Instead, give yourself some time to live in the space and contemplate the changes you plan to make. This could keep you from making mistakes in your renovations and potentially save you a lot of headaches and wasted time and money.
#2 Start an archive
Keep meticulous records of home improvements — large and small. This will help tremendously with decision-making down the road. Record receipts, jot down product details and shoot before-and-after photos.
#3 Save more money
When it comes to home improvement projects and repairs, there’s just one rule: Everything costs more than you expect. It’s true. So avoid embarking on an upgrade or remodel until you have a lot of surplus cash in the bank.
#4 Plan for emergencies
Familiarize yourself with the breaker box. Locate the main water valve and be sure you can turn it off. Designate a storm shelter area and stock it with supplies. Get to know your new home as soon as you can, preferably before opening the moving boxes.
#5 Install window treatments
Covering the windows will make you feel more secure in your new place, so make this a priority before moving in or shortly after. If you’re unsure of the design direction for your window treatments, invest in temporary coverings. Or call us, and we’ll install them for you and help to select permanent window coverings to complement your new home.
#6 Enjoy your home now
Once you firm up plans for a remodel, make the improvements you dream of as soon as you can. And forget trends or what is best for resale value. Make your home a reflection of you.
I hope you are feeling more confident about what to do after buying your first house. If there’s anything we can do to help you settle into your new home, contact us and we’ll bring our showroom to you.
See you next time,
Lana
