Many people dream of the day that they will be able to buy their first house. When this day finally arrives, there is a lot of excitement and work that goes into making it feel like home. The Utah County home building professionals at McArthur Homes have some vital tips for new homeowners to follow to make their first experience with homeownership smooth and successful.
Don’t Overspend on Furniture
One of the biggest mistakes that people make when they are first moving into their new home is to spend too much on furniture. It can be easy to see all of these great deals at big furniture stores, but don’t forget about the cost of having something moved in and assembling it! If you’re feeling bold, ask your friends or family if they have any pieces that could use a good upgrade before purchasing new things for your house. By getting creative with what you already own (or borrowing items from loved ones), it will give more space in your budget for decorating other rooms!
Keep All Your Home Warranties and Manuals in a Safe Place
It’s important to keep all of your warranties and manuals together in one place that is easily accessible. This way, if anything ever breaks or you need information about how something works, it will be easy for the repairman, or yourself to find! It is also a good idea to store any receipts or warranty information for appliances, electronics, and other items in the same spot. It’s important to make sure everything in your home has been properly accounted for and documented in case you ever need it in the future.
Get Help with Your Taxes
Your first year of homeownership comes with many new tax responsibilities. If you aren’t familiar with everything that is required, or how to prepare them correctly, get help from a professional who specializes in taxes for homeowners! Many people will end up having to hire an accountant and spend unnecessary money if they don’t know what types of tax paperwork need to be done until the last minute.
Keep an Emergency Fund for Unexpected Issues
It’s extremely important to keep an emergency fund for unforeseen issues. Many homeowners think that their insurance covers everything, but it doesn’t! It is always a good idea to set aside some money in case something unplanned happens, so you can make sure repairs get taken care of without having to borrow money or incur other costs.
Make Sure You Are Properly Insured
There are many things that you need to consider with your homeowner’s insurance, including how much coverage you should have for your belongings and if any changes will be necessary after moving in. There is no point in paying the monthly fee if there isn’t enough coverage! Talk with an experienced agent who can help you understand the types of policies that are available so they best fit into your budget and other needs.
Make Your Home Energy Efficient
By taking advantage of tax credits for energy efficiency, many people who live here in Utah County can save money on monthly utility bills by making simple upgrades around the house like replacing old lightbulbs with LED bulbs or installing a programmable thermostat. You can also make sure your house is leakproof by weatherproofing any cracks around windows and doors to avoid wasting money on heating or cooling bills.
Take Care of Your Home
Perhaps most importantly, take care of your home by doing simple maintenance tasks regularly. Whether it’s checking smoke detectors or making sure drains aren’t clogged, these small steps make a big difference when it comes time to resell. If something does go wrong (which is bound to happen eventually), hire a professional who knows how to fix it. It’s not worth putting your home at risk by trying to do too much yourself, and there is always the option of calling for help!
By following these simple ideas, you will be able to maintain your home beautifully while keeping its value up! Our Utah County expert new home builders at McArthur Homes know how essential it is for new homeowners to have all this information before they move into their new house. If you would like to speak with us about the extremely high-quality new homes we offer in the Lehi, UT region, feel free to contact us today!
