Preparing for homeownership goes beyond the process of finding a dream house and moving in. Explore this ultimate home checklist: five things every new homeowner should have.
Tools of Every Variety
Every new homeowner needs a properly stocked toolkit with basics like a drill, screwdrivers, hammer, measuring tape, level, and pliers. A ladder, stud finder, handsaw, headlamp, and ratchet set will all come in handy for larger projects.
New Locks and Keys
Change all the locks and reprogram the garage door opener. You can never know who has had access to the house before and how many spare keys may exist. Changing the locks is a simple DIY project that can be done in a few hours. Be sure to make copies of the new keys and think about hiding a spare key somewhere safe in case you get locked out.
Homeowners who go away often may want to consider the added peace of mind that comes with a security camera. There is a security camera to fit every budget and most come with an app that allows homeowners to see what’s going on in real-time. NewEgg is an online electronics retailer that carries a range of top wireless camera system brands as well as surveillance accessories and software.
A Lawn Mower and Garden Supplies
Owning a house comes with the responsibility of maintaining the yard and landscaping. Unless the plan is to hire a gardener, every homeowner needs to have a lawnmower. The type of mower to get depends on the size of the yard. A property with acreage might be easier to maintain with a riding lawnmower whereas a simple push-mower would be appropriate for a small yard.
Basic gardening supplies are also a good idea to have on hand. A garden hose, weed-whacker, shovel, and rake will all come in handy throughout the year. Homeowners living in a region that gets frequent snow will need to purchase snow removal equipment. Much like the lawnmower, the size of the driveway and the amount of sidewalk to maintain will determine if a shovel or snowblower is appropriate.
Curtains and Window Treatments
To keep people from peeking in, new homeowners are going to need curtains and window treatments. Blinds, drapes, shades, shutters, and curtains add privacy, character, and aesthetics. Consider putting up self-adhesive paper blinds as a temporary fix it there isn’t room in the budget to install the ideal, permanent solution.
Even couples like to enjoy a shower behind the privacy of a shower curtain. Be sure to hang a shower curtain to keep the bathroom from flooding. Have some fun and pick up a decorative shower curtain or two that can be switched out with the seasons.
In an age where it’s common to post about every aspect of daily life or overshare photos on social media, it’s comforting to know that there is an option to selectively share your life. Meet ibi is an at-home private photo storage device that holds up to 100 hours of HD videos and 250,000 photos. After plugging in ibi and downloading the app, designate which devices, social media platforms, and cloud accounts to back up and collect photos and videos in one place. Then create an inner circle of family and friends that you want to privately share memories with by sending a private link.
Lightbulbs
Lightbulbs have a mind of their own and tend to strategically plan to burn out right when the sun goes down and the room needs to be lit up. Always be prepared to switch out a burned-out lightbulb by keeping a backup of all types of lights in the house. Know how many lightbulbs each room needs and what the size and wattage of each bulb should be. Even if the home already has newish lightbulbs in fixtures, have backups ready.