Is there anything more exciting than being handed the keys to your first home? Homeownership is the American dream, and if you’re in the process of purchasing your first home then you are living that dream. Since it’s your first rodeo, however, there are a few things that nobody tells you when you’re buying a house.
It’s No Fun to Move Stuff Upstairs
If you have heavy or bulky furniture, you might reconsider moving into a two-story house. Stairs are a nightmare on moving day, especially if they are angled oddly.
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1. Your mattress is going to be a challenge. In this situation it doesn’t really matter if you have a king vs. a California king bed; you are going to likely need moving straps regardless to prevent injuring yourself and others. Don’t think that you will be able to depend on handles that are built into the mattress; they are a lot heavier than you think they are!
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2. Make sure that you take measurements of the stairwell and your furniture. It’s inevitable that something will likely get scuffed in the move, but knowing how much space you have to work with will lessen these odds and help you to pivot furniture more easily.
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3. Blankets and sheets can be a lifesaver; wrap up heavy furniture and reinforce with duct tape to prevent scratching walls and furniture while you carry them upstairs.
There is a Lot You Don’t Have
Interestingly, you will notice pretty quickly that although you own the practical things like a bed and pots and pans, there are lots of homeowner must-haves that you didn’t even think to buy. Some of these include:
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1. Curtains and window coverings. You never truly appreciate how much you value your privacy until you have none. Prevent nosy neighbors from seeing your business by investing in curtains, including a shower curtain too.
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2. A plunger. Seriously, make this one of your first purchases when you go shopping for your new house. You don’t want to discover too late that you don’t have one.
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3. Basic tools. You can buy a cheap set of the basics at most hardware stores, and you can upgrade if you want to down the road. But for now, make sure that you have a hammer and nails, pliers, a wrench and plenty of utility knives for opening boxes.
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4. Trash bags. These are essential not just on moving day, but for EVERY day. Heaven knows you will have a ton of trash on your first day there, so industrial-sized bags are not a waste of money!
Things Are Expensive
If you’re a responsible adult then you already know this, but you never fully understand just how expensive things are until you’re the one buying them. Create a budget and stick to it as best you can, even though it can be difficult sometimes. Your mortgage might eat two-thirds of your paycheck, but remember that unlike renting, you are gaining equity in your house. Every mortgage payment is one step closer to ownership! If you’re looking for creative ways to cut down on spending, try one or all of these tips:
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1. Get rid of expensive cable packages. Most anything you want to watch on TV can be found on Netflix or Amazon already for a fraction of the price.
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2. Cutting down on your grocery bill is as simple as making things from scratch. There is so much that you waste money on at the grocery store that you should be making yourself like broth, seasonings and baking mixes.
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3. Unsubscribe from monthly services you’re not using like gym memberships, wholesale clubs and massages. Yes, they’re nice to have “just in case,” but why waste money on them if you never go?
Congratulations on the purchase of your first house! You know better than anyone that it’s a “hurry up and wait” process, but moving day is only the beginning of your journey. There are memories to make in the new place that you call home.
