FINALLY, you’re a homeowner! But as you unpack your belongings, you realize you may not have been as prepared for homeownership as you once thought. Never fear, here is a list of 5 things that you may or may not have thought of that are must haves for your new home:
1: A Full Tool Set: That pieced together set you have may work but if you bought it alongside your Ikea furniture, it’s time for an upgrade. You can get pretty decent sets for around $150. I’d also highly recommend picking up a good drill/impact driver set as well. Don’t have to have every tool under the sun, but it’s time for an upgrade.
2. Lawn Care Equipment: Unless you were responsible for lawn care at your previous rental, you’re missing these. For small yards, you can get away with a weed eater and a blower. That being said, you’re going to want to invest in the pair and a good mower. May be able to pick one up on Facebook market place or get one new for a decent price.
3. New Locks: You can keep the old locks but I highly recommend having them re-keyed. If not for safety, at least for piece of mind. This is a pretty easy job for those who are handy or a quick fix for a contractor/locksmith.
4. Video Door Bell: Not a necessity but definitely something to consider from a safety standpoint.
5. Furniture That Fits the Space: Your current furniture may have fit great in your old place, may even look ok in the new one. However, most of my clients tell me that after a few weeks they realize their old furniture just doesn’t fit how they want. Another common furniture need is additional bedroom sets if your buying a larger house. Don’t be the people with empty rooms.
Each person’s situation is different, so you may have some or all of these. Regardless, as you get close to closing start brainstorming and taking inventory of what you have and need. One last word of advice, wait to make any big purchases until AFTER you close and do not open any new lines of credit while under contract. It can complicate or derail the buying process for you, if you’re not careful.