Owning your own home is exciting, but it also comes with many new responsibilities. To help you out, we’ve put together a first-year homeowner to-do list. This list will help you take care of your new home and keep everything running smoothly. So let’s get started!
Add Changing the Locks to Your First-Year Homeowner To-Do List
One of the first things you should do when you move into a new home is to change the locks. You never know who might have a key to your old home, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. This is a quick and easy job that you can do yourself or hire a professional. Consider adding smart locks to enhance security and modernize your new home.
Paint
Like most people, you probably want to personalize your new home with a fresh coat of paint. This is a great way to make your mark on the space and make it feel your own. New paint will give a fresh feeling to any room and, in the process, you’ll notice any touch-ups the walls need.
Get to Know Your Neighborhood as Part of Your First-Year Homeowner To-Do List
One of the best things about owning a home is having a neighborhood to call your own. Get to know your neighbors and explore your community. This is a great way to meet new people and learn about all the great things your area offers.
Throw a cookout after you’re settled in and invite the neighbors over. Take your dog on an evening walk each night so you can say hello to your new neighbors as you pass by.
Keep Up with Maintenance
Your new home is a significant investment, so you’ll want to take care of it. This means staying on top of regular maintenance tasks like cleaning the gutters, changing the air filters, and checking for leaks. By taking care of your home, you can avoid costly repairs.
Create a Budget
Owning a home can be expensive, so it’s essential to create a budget and stick to it. Track your income and expenses to know where your money goes each month. This will help you stay on top of your finances and avoid overspending.
Make a Plan for Upgrades
During your first year, you will start to notice the changes you want to make to upgrade your new home. Make a timeline prioritizing which projects should come first, the estimated costs, and the necessary materials. Planning will help to avoid running too many projects at once, which can quickly become a headache.
Once you have your plan in place, you will know what to add to the budget for future projects, which will help you avoid costly surprises down the road.
We hope this to-do list helps you as you settle into your new home. Remember to take things one step at a time and enjoy the process. Before you know it, you’ll be a pro at homeownership.
Rhode Island Real Estate Inspection Services provides home inspections to customers in Rhode Island. Contact us to request our services.