You’re a first-time homeowner! While it’s an exciting time, you’re probably also feeling anxiety as you realize how much there is to learn. Mistakes may range from planning how to move to your new place to settling with your neighbors. Don’t worry, here is a collection of some of the most common mistakes new homeowners make — and how to avoid them.
1. Hiring Unqualified Movers
Moving to your new home requires adequate planning and help from experts like professional movers. Hiring qualified movers will help handle belongings with care, and in an organized manner, so you don’t have to worry about suffering damages or losing items in transit. However, many homeowners choose to save money by hiring friends or family members lacking skills in moving services. However, you might regret your decision to see how poorly unskilled labor can handleyourvaluables.
Hiring unqualified movers is a common mistake that can cost you in more ways than one. It’s important to know what type of moving company you want and how much it will cost before calling any companies. The last thing you want is to pay for services that aren’t under insurance cover!
2. Failing to Budget for Routine Maintenance
Maintenance is a pain—both literally and figuratively. You never know what will break and when, and it’s always expensive. After moving into a new home, new homeowners tend to forget that maintenance is something they need to budget for every month. Unfortunately, it’s not fun or glamorous; but if you don’t take care of your home early on, you’ll find yourself ata crossroad trying to do expensive repairs.
While there are no hard-and-fast rules about how much you should be spending each month, experts recommend annual routine maintenance while your roof may require a more frequent inspection twice annually. If you want to avoid surprises later on, it’s best to get ahead of these issues as soon as possible.
3. Not Getting Homeowners Insurance
The first mistake that new homeowners make is not to get homeowners insurance. It can be surprising considering how much money it costs to buy a home and all of the other costs of owning one, but buying homeowners insurance isn’t optional. If you don’t have any coverage, your lender could sue you in court if anything happens to your home or property. Remember, court battlesare a leading cause of foreclosures.
It might seem like overkill to spend thousands on insurance when you haven’t even moved into your home yet, but there are two reasons why doing so makes sense: First, it protects against loss from theft and natural disasters. Second, it helps protect against lawsuits brought by others who suffer injuries on your property. Your lender will require proof of coverage before signing off on a mortgage loan—so take care of things now before there’s an issue later.
4. Forgetting About Everyday Safety Hazards
As a new homeowner, you’re likely eager to put your stamp on your new digs, but don’t forget about everyday safety hazards. Things like not locking doors and windows can lead to unwanted intruders in your home. Use these tips from a professional locksmith to ensure that your house is as safe as possible for you and your family. Also, turn off all appliances before leaving home—including coffee makers and televisions—to avoid potential fire hazards.
While you may be excited about living in your place, take time out of each day to ensure it’s secure. Doing so will help prevent costly break-ins or worse. Remember to take care of weep holes to prevent the entry of rodents and regularly check all smoke detectors to ensure they are working correctly.
You should also consider installing motion sensor lights around any exterior entryways, which are especially helpful if you have small children or pets at home who could accidentally trigger them. Your safety in your new home is paramount.
5. Not Familiarizing with The New Neighborhood
Moving to a new neighborhood can be stressful for many reasons. From navigating unfamiliar roads and finding new shops, parks, and other local community features to meeting new neighbors, moving means you’ll have a lot on your plate in terms of adjustments. You may feel nervous about being an outsider as you settle into your community—but one of the most common mistakes new homeowners make is not getting familiar with their surroundings before they move in.
It’s essential to know the location of necessary amenities and how far away they areto avoid spending all your time going back and forth between different locations. If you want to meet new people, it also helps if you already know some of the places where locals hang out!
Conclusion
While everyone who has ever moved into a new home wishes they’d had expert advice beforehand, mistakes are inevitable. The trick is not to make too many of them at once. During your move-in, organize for reliable movers and take time to set up your home how you want it. Hiring a professional mover can help start your journey to your new place with the right footing. Don’t be afraid to ask for guidance or assistance if something doesn’t feel right. Finally, enjoy your new space! It’s an exciting milestone that will hopefully last for years to come.