Buying a new home is a massive milestone worth celebrating! You likely spent a lot of time and money hunting down the “perfect” house and patiently waiting for an offer to go through.

Once your realtor hands over those keys on closing day, you’re sure to be overwhelmed with an enormous sense of relief and excitement. But this is just the beginning. Keep that joy rolling as you adjust to the life of being a new homeowner!

We want to prepare you for what lies ahead. Lots of new homeowners make mistakes and you don’t want to fit into that segment… do you? No.

Keep scrolling to learn about some common mistakes new homeowners make and how you can avoid them.

Forgetting to Change the Locks

If you’re moving into an older home, there’s no saying how many people have a copy of your keys. This can be especially true for homes that used to serve as rental properties. One of the first things on your to-do list as a new homeowner should be to change the locks. While this is by no means a requirement, it’s a good idea to assure your safety. Of course, you might not face any issues with previous tenants snooping around but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Failing to Familiarize Yourself With the Space

Any time you move into a new home it’s vital to get a proper lay of the land. There are certain features that you should locate for future reference. The water shut-off valve and main circuit breaker are two important mechanisms you should keep on your radar. If an emergency such as a water leak or power outage was to occur, it’s important to know where to find these. You should also familiarize yourself with where your smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors are located.

Skipping Room Measurements

It’s only natural to find yourself in an eager frenzy, ordering furniture before you even move into your home. But don’t hit “order” on that online shopping cart quite yet! Do you know if that fancy new couch will even fit in the living room? Be sure to take thorough measurements of every room you plan to buy furniture for to avoid future disappointment.

Some online stores now offer AR (augmented reality) solutions for furniture, which can be a fun and great way to see the furniture in your house before purchasing.

Not Taking Maintenance Costs Into Account

You are your own landlord now. That means any issues that arise will fall on you to fix. Many homeowners don’t consider the full scope of how much home maintenance can cost. It’s important to set aside money for any current or future repairs you may need. If you’re not skilled enough to DIY a maintenance issue, don’t risk it – call a professional. And be sure to handle any issues your home inspector listed that might need attention as soon as possible.

Got roofing problems that need fixing? Call us out to get the job done right the first time!

Ignoring “Small Issues”

Whether it’s a leaky faucet or a dusty air filter, a “small issue” can become overwhelming before you know it. If you notice any sort of problem in your home, address it as soon as you can. Some other examples of issues you shouldn’t ignore include:

Dirty gutters
Leaks
Peeled calking
Clogged pipes
Blocked garbage disposal

Ignoring the Exterior of Your Home

The exterior of your home is just as salient as its interior. It’s extremely important not to put off necessary repairs. You remember how we said “small issues” tend to get out of hand quicker than we think; add wind, UV rays, and precipitation to the mix, and those little problems can escalate even further. Furthermore, neglecting your exterior can really hurt your future resale value.

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Not Taking Future Resale Into Account

Hold on. Resale? Why should a new homeowner concern themself with something that’s likely years down the road? Well, even if selling your home is a mere glimmer in your eye, it will be in your best interest to consider future resale today to set yourself up for success. Keep this in mind while considering home maintenance, interior design, and any structural changes on the horizon.

Not Choosing Reliable Local Home Service Providers

As you can see, there is a lot of maintenance and upkeep associated with homeownership. Some projects are manageable on your own but a majority will likely require outside help. You’ll need a team of reliable, trusted home service providers to call on when trouble crops up. It’s best to pick out a team ahead of time so you’re not scrambling to make a decision in the face of an emergency. Here are some of the professionals you’ll need to source:

Plumber
HVAC contractor
Roofer
Restoration contractor
Tree trimmer
General handyman

Forgetting to Call 811 Before Digging

Before embarking on any major landscaping, you’ll want an idea of where all the utility lines on your property are located. The last thing you need is to dig out a spot for a new garden bed and cut into a power supply line. Call your local utility company or 811 before you do any landscaping. They will mark where the utility lines are free of charge.

Creating an Unbalanced Interior Design

Interior design isn’t just about the aesthetics of your home, it’s also about creating a cohesive, functional space to enjoy each and every day. Take your time finding a good style for your home. Don’t rush to customize different parts of your space if you’re not in love with the concept. Create a balance between standout pieces and basic background decor. You’ll also want to keep storage in mind while buying furniture.

Not Rising to the Responsibility of Homeownership

As we mentioned before, you are your own landlord now. Any and all issues that arise are up to you to solve. All decisions are yours to make. This can be a wonderful, freeing reality. But it can also be too much to handle if you’re not prepared for the reality of homeownership. You design the space. You pay the bills. You hold the responsibility. Be sure to rise to the occasion and embrace all that being a homeowner truly means.

We couldn’t be more excited for you!

Common Mistakes New Homeowners Make