After getting through the negotiation and contract phase of purchasing your new home, it can be tough to wrap your mind around the idea of actually living there. Prepare yourself for homeownership with these tips for new homeowners.
Safety Tips for New Homeowners
- Promoting the safety of your home and family is your primary responsibility as a new homeowner. The easiest way to do this is with a professional home inspection. A buyer’s home inspection may have already been performed as part of the real estate transaction.
- The professional home inspector provides an itemized report, ranking any needed repairs or safety concerns in order of priority. After dealing with any critical issues, you can rest assured that your home is safe for your family. Even newly-built houses should be inspected before you move in.
- Cosmetic issues identified by your home inspector usually don’t need to be completed immediately. However, it’s easy for small issues to fall through the cracks, which often leads to bigger problems. Put a reminder on your calendar to revisit the report after you’ve moved into your new home.
Moving Tips
- Schedule a deep clean of the home if you’re moving into a previously occupied residence.
- Painting the walls, replacing the carpet, and refinishing the hardwood floors are all much easier to do when the house is empty. A portable storage container is a useful option if you’re making renovations before moving in.
- Some finishing products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the drying process. You should plan to wait up to a week for the VOCs to dissipate before moving into your home. VOCs harm indoor air quality, and it is recommended that you limit your exposure. If possible, choose products with low or no VOCs.
Financial Tips
- You will need homeowner’s insurance. Review the details of the policy to understand what it does and does not cover. You may need to take out additional insurance on high-value items.
- Talk to a tax professional. Now that you own a home, your tax situation has changed. At least for the first year, consult with a professional to make sure you understand the deductions you are eligible for.
- Monitor spending. If there’s one thing every new homeowner experiences, it’s unexpected costs. The reality of owning a home is that it’s hard to predict when something will go wrong. Track your spending from the very beginning; it will provide valuable information you can use for long-term budgeting.
Follow these safety, moving, and financial tips for new homeowners to ease the transition. And don’t forget the most important tip for new homeowners – make time to celebrate your achievement and actually enjoy your new home.
Appalachian Inspection Services provides home inspections to customers in Asheville, NC, and the surrounding areas. Contact us to schedule an appointment.