Moving into your first home is exciting and often a long-awaited thing. With the cost of houses constantly rising, the chance of young people being able to purchase a house is slim. The majority of people rent their first homes, and then save, over the years, to buy one. And some are lucky enough to be able to buy straight away. But no matter how you end up in your first house, there are some not-so-fun things and some incredibly fun things you need to do when you first move into the house.
But simply buying a property and sorting out the odd bits and pieces doesn’t make it feel like a home straight away. A new house can feel like a building with your stuff in it for a while after you have moved in. But over time there are things you can do to make the place feel like yours.
Contracts
No matter if you are buying or renting, you need to go over the paperwork with a fine toothcomb. When buying a house you will have the assistance of a solicitor to help you with the contracts, but when you lease a property, it’s up to you to read the fine print. One of the most important parts of the paperwork is the inventory. A landlord will have taken a list of all the things the property contains and any scrapes or damages throughout, when you enter your new home, go through it and match it to the marks in the house. If there is anything missed, have it added to the inventory as soon as possible. Anything that isn’t recorded will be counted against you when it comes time to leave, and that will affect your deposit.
Bills
You need to get your bills in order to. If you have been super organised, then you should already have things up and running in time for your moving day. But either way, you should always do the research before signing up with one company or the other. Use sites for water, insurance and electricity comparison and make sure that you are getting the best deal. Remember that most companies will try and match a competitor’s price, so try and haggle, the quote they give you isn’t always set in stone.
Budgeting
This is one of the most important adult tasks you need to do now that you are paying bills and supporting yourself. Using a template from somewhere like Excel or creating one yourself will help you manage all the ins and outs of your bank account. Make sure that you keep on top of updating the document, or there’s no point in using it at all. Use internet banking apps to make tracking your usage that much easier.
Maintenance
The property is your responsibility, even if you have a landlord, there is still a lot about the property that is up to you to keep on top of. Don’t cut corners when repairing any part of your property, invest more in skilled workers and better materials, this will ensure that you don’t have to pay out for greater damage in the future. While speaking of preparation, you can always make the necessary adjustments to your home to prepare for the different seasons. Winter proofing your home by checking on your heating and pipes, clearing out your gutters and making sure your windows and doors are properly sealed against the cold. And in the summer, checking your air con, ventilating the house and garage and ensuring that any pets have constant access to water.
Cleaning
When you move into a new house, no matter if it looks clean, you should always go over it yourself before unpacking anything. You never know the cleaning habits of the people who live there before you. It’s doubly important that you clean if you are moving in with pets or small children. If your home needs more than just a good scrub, you might need to contact some specialists to come and help you out.
Unpacking
On to the more fun things – it’s time for you to unpack all your boxes. Making a house feel more homely starts with the arranging of your furniture in the new space. The idea of ‘nesting’ is something associated with pregnant women when preparing their home for the baby, but it can also come into play when moving into a new home. Moving can be very stressful, and the simple act of unpacking and arranging your things can release a lot of that tension.
Cooking
It might sound simple, but cooking in your new house, spending time learning the rooms, always makes a house more homely. Cook a meal that you love and fill the place with a much nicer scent than packing boxes and cleaning products.
Decorating
Once you have been in the house for a few weeks and you are certain you like where your furniture is, start putting pictures up on the walls and creating a more personal, and permanent feel. Painting and wallpapering the rooms add your own touch to the space and allows you to put your stamp on the place. If you’re in a rented property, it might not be possible for you to paint, and most rented houses are in a neutral colour scheme, but you can still decorate the place by using photo frames, curtains and tapestries.
Gardening
If you are lucky to have a garden with your new home, then you can easily make your stamp with a spot of gardening. Again, as part of the nesting vibe, it’s a way for you to make the place feel more like your home, and not a house you have just moved into. Obviously, depending on the time of year and weather, you might not be able to go and dig your fingers into the ground, but you can bring some of the greenery inside with potted plants until you can. Plants in the home can help clear the air, improve health and boost focus and creativity.
Party
To christen your house, either as soon as you move in or later on, why not throw a housewarming party? Filling the house with people you love and creating new and exciting memories in the house will make it feel more like home easily.
Explore
It’s now time to explore the new place you live in. And not just the house. If you have moved to a new town or city, it’s going to take some time to get to know the ins and outs of the place. And even if you have just moved to a new street you should take the time to meet your new neighbours. Taking the time to say hello and get to know them could save you a lot of hassle later on.