If you have just purchased a new home, we’ll start by saying congratulations on closing your home in today’s crazy market! This checklist will help ensure all the utilities and bills are set up correctly for your move. You may think now that you’ve moved in, it’s time to relax, but don’t get too comfortable. After moving into your home, you might start to realize how much more you need to fill up the house. We hope you saved some cash after the down payment!
Owning a property is a lot different than when you are renting one. In rental properties, you are not responsible for the upkeep of the property, whereas now the responsibility is on you. How long the shopping list will be depends on what you’re bringing from your old place. Let’s look at a few of the basic items you should buy after acquiring your first home, whether it’s a condo or a mansion, that either house will need.
Safety/Privacy: These are items that are necessities for the house for that dreaded emergency or just the feeling of safety. A lot of these items can prevent any break-ins or thefts on your new property. These are some basic things you will need to protect all your home’s assets.
- Window Coverings
- Security System
- New Locks
- First Aid Kit
- Smoke Detector
- Carbon Monoxide Detector
- Lockbox
- Fire Extinguisher
- Flashlights
Maintenance: You might be lucky and have bought a place with an HOA or Condo Association that will pay for a maintenance company, but if you have bought a place that you need to maintain, these are very important items. Getting these necessities will keep your place tidy and ensure that if an issue pops up you can fix it.
- Snow Shovel- if you live in a cold area
- Tools (Drills, stud finders, screwdrivers, paint brushes)
- Plunger
- Ladder/Step Ladder
- Lawn Care Supplies (Lawnmower, weed trimmer, gardening tools, Leaf Blower)
- Cleaning Supplies
- Garbage Can
- Light Bulbs
- Batteries
- Paint
- Label Main Lines
- Water Detector
Furniture/Decor: If you are moving into a larger house, you probably do not have all the décor to fill every room. If that is the case, this is something you will want to start once you have all of the necessities for your house together. You will want your new home to feel comfortable and relaxing in all areas to make the house feel complete.
- New Mattress/Bed Frame
- Bathmats for all bathrooms
- Guest Towels
- Rugs
- Fresh Plants
- Window Curtains
- Wall Décor (Paintings, photos, mirrors)
- End Tables
- Coffee Tables
- TV’s
- Bedside lamps
- Shower Curtains
Kitchen Essentials: The kitchen is the heart of your home- so there are endless items we could put here but these are the most important. You will know before moving in what appliances/cookware you will need to buy.
- Plates
- Silverware
- Appliances
- Dish Soap/Dishwasher soap
- Set of Knives
- Drying Rack
- Dish/Kitchen Towels
- Appliance Cleaner
Outdoor Items: For spring and summer, you’ll want to spend some time outside if you have the space available. If you move in early spring, plant some flowers to add some color to your yard. You won’t want to forget about making sure your outdoor area is how you want it to feel. Here are some items that can spruce up your summertime barbeques!
- Doormat
- Patio/Balcony Set
- Grill
- Firepit
Service Repair List: Ask around the neighborhood and see if anyone recommends any local contractors for all the repairs. It’s better to have someone ready to call before an emergency occurs and you’re left dealing with a leaky pipe or a broken HVAC unit for multiple days. Here are some ideas for contractors that you will want to put on a list for any emergencies.
- Plumber
- Electrician
- HVAC/ HVAC-R
- Landscapers
- Snow Removal
- Roofer
- Mason
Now that you’ve made your house beautiful and secure, the only thing left to do is plan your housewarming party!
Contact one of our Mortgage Experts for any home buying or refinancing needs!
