If you are in the process of purchasing your first home, you need to make sure that you have a savings account set up specifically for all the extra expenses that are going to come up in the first year or so of living in your new home. For example:
#1 New Locks
One of the first things you need to do after you move into your new home is change the locks. Anyone who previously lived in your home could potentially have a copy of the key to your home, as well as any friends or family members that they gave a spare copy to.
To make sure that you are safe and secure in your new home, the first thing you need to do when you are given the keys to your new home is trade them in for a new set of keys.
#2 Basic Cosmetic Upgrades
The second thing you will want to do is basic cosmetic upgrades to your home. Even painting a couple of rooms in your house can add up, with a gallon of paint ranging anywhere from $30 to $100 dollars; although interior paint tends to fall on the lower end of that spectrum.
Even painting a small bedroom may take more than one gallon of paint, as well as paint supplies such as a roller, paint tray, tape and plastic sheeting. Although these minor cosmetic upgrades may not as expensive as a major upgrade, like installing new countertops, the cost can add up quickly.
#3 Window Treatments
Unless you want your neighbors staring into your home, you will probably need to invest in some window treatments. Sometimes, the previous homeowner may leave the blinds up, but often the blinds may be older and damaged and may need upgrading anyways.
The cheapest type of blinds you can put you are mini-blinds, which for the average window generally only cost $5-$12. However, if you want to go with something a little more stylish such as faux wood blinds, real wood blinds or fabric blinds, you could be looking at upwards of $70 for blinds for a typical window. If you have large picture windows, expect to pay even more.
That is only the cost for blinds. If you do the full window treatment on all your windows, you will also need to factor in the cost for curtain rods and curtains in addition to the blinds.
#4 Lawn Supplies
Finally, it can be easy to get so caught up with the inside of your house that you forget about the outside of your house. If your house has a lawn, you will need to at least keep up with mowing the yard during the first year you live in your home. You will also want to pull the weeds and at least trim the bushes and shrubs in your yard.
To do the bare minimum with your yard, you will need to purchase a lawn mower, pruners, a rake, a small shovel and gloves.
Moving into a new home requires you to make investments in your home. Even though these are not all large investments, they are all investments that you will need to make within the first year or so of moving into your home. Make sure you add some room in your budget for these smaller but necessary household expenses.
If you're looking to buy a home, contact The SRQ Duo or a similar company.
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