New to Homeownership? You Need to Know These Tips
Get the help you need to start homeownership on the right foot.
Buying your first home is an exciting milestone—but it can also be an intimidating one. From the initial search to putting in an offer to signing on the dotted line, each step is new and unfamiliar when you’re a first-time buyer.
But once you have the keys and the house is finally yours, there are still some things you’ll need to navigate. Now that you're not renting, you’re on your own for maintenance and upkeep—but you can also customize anything—so there are a lot of things to take into consideration. From renovations to finances, get a few helpful tips and tricks that will make those first few months as a homeowner a little bit easier.
Stash Away Emergency Money
Being a homeowner is—not surprisingly—expensive. Between mortgage payments, insurance, furnishings, and regular upkeep, you probably know to allocate a certain amount for your expected costs. But what you might not be expecting is the unexpected. Everything from major repairs, like burst pipes or a broken HVAC system, all the way down to tiny inconveniences like fixing the kitchen sink will add up over time. Be sure you’re not caught unprepared, and set aside money in an emergency fund that you can always tap into when you need it. That way, you don’t have to panic if anything doesn’t go as planned.
Keep All Your Paperwork in One Place
When you purchase your house, it comes with a lot of paperwork. Between insurance info, your property deed, purchase agreement, and mortgage documents, there are a million and one things you may need to reference. Instead of keeping them scattered all over your house, be sure to file these papers all in one place so you know exactly where to look.
Hold Off on Major Renovations
Before you start knocking down walls and getting quotes from contractors, live in your house for a few months. Things that initially drove you nuts when you saw the house may not be a top priority after living in the space for a while. By taking some time to use the space, you’ll have a better idea of what should bubble up to the top of your renovation to-do list. That way, you can use your renovation budget to make the biggest difference in your day-to-day life.
Hire Qualified Help
For home renovation projects, it usually pays to hire experienced professionals. Instead of trying to save money or rush the process, choosing qualified contractors, plumbers, or electricians will likely save you headaches and roadblocks in the long run. Be sure to speak with any vendor before you hire them to get a sense of their process, and be sure to vet their credentials—try consulting places like the Better Business Bureau or Angie’s List. You can also ask for a few references and speak to those people to hear about real results from real customers.
If you’re ready to become a first-time homeowner and build your perfect home, get started with Atmos. By bringing every element of homebuilding under one roof, Atmos makes it easier to build your dream home from the ground up.
