Congrats, you’re finally a homeowner! You have worked hard to get here, but now that you’ve arrived, it’s time to celebrate and relax… right? Not so fast! While the housewarming party is certainly in order, there are still plenty of things to do before you’re truly settled in. Here are some of our top tips for new homeowners (hint: these tips work whether you just closed on your first home or you’ve been living in yours for years). Enjoy!
Starting off on the right foot
The best thing you can do as a new homeowner is to be prepared. Whether you’re buying your first home or moving into an existing one, take time to research things that can impact your living situation. If your area floods every few years, purchase flood insurance before disaster strikes; if earthquakes are common in your area, make sure everything you own is bolted down. This will help ensure that you and your family have a smooth transition into life as homeowners—and not out of it.
Creating flow between spaces
When you’re first starting to decorate your new home, it can be tempting to go all out and just get everything you want. Our tip – don’t just buy everything at once. Plan first. We promise you’ll thank us (and your bank account will probably thank you too). Don’t ignore how all of your spaces flow into one another. You might love your new bedding or TV, but if it clashes with what’s already in your room, then it’s going to be harder to love every morning when you wake up next to it.
To create flow between rooms and ensure that each space feels like part of a cohesive whole, think about how they look together as well as function separately. It’s fine if they’re not identical — variety is good! — but there should still be a sense of balance.
Creating storage space in your home
When you move into a new home, there’s a lot of excitement and a lot of stuff. That might mean extra furniture and boxes that clutter up your living room, or it could mean junk that spills out from closets or piles up in corners. In either case, there’s no time like now to start sorting through your belongings so that you can make space for anything new you plan to bring in (and get rid of everything else). It might be hard at first to face all of your things without feeling sentimental about them – but if you need more space right now, it’s better to deal with reality than let objects control you. Get started by checking out these tips
Investing in property maintenance early on
To keep your new home in tip-top shape, invest in some basic maintenance early on. Check with your local municipality to see what’s required by law, but a simple visit from a pest-control professional and regular cleaning both inside and out should do it. Of course, we can’t guarantee you won’t still have issues—as homeowners know all too well—but at least you won’t be caught unawares. You might also want to think about making sure any pre-existing appliances are in good working order before moving into your new place; after all, no one wants to move into a house where half of their stuff doesn’t work.
Improving your home’s energy efficiency with the right HVAC Company
Making sure that your HVAC system is functioning should be one of your first priorities as a new homeowner. A high-quality HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system—or multiple systems, depending on your home—should be towards the top of your checklist.
If you’re planning to install a new Energy Star-rated HVAC system, we suggest searching for one with high SEER rating. This will improve air quality and cut down on your utility bills year round. Plus, an efficient HVAC can reduce indoor dust build up, which reduces allergy triggers in many people.
If you need help choosing an HVAC company or if you’re just looking for some general tips about improving your home’s energy efficiency, contact us today! We would love to help you find solutions that work best for you and your family.