Buying a Home Online
Congratulations on your new home! As you unpack those boxes and decorate each space just the way you want it, you’ll soon find that keeping up with a new home takes dedication and savvy.
Use this new homeowner checklist for things to know about owning a home and maintaining all its parts.
What New Homeowners Need
As you arrange your furniture, fill up your cupboards with your dishes, and move all of your other belongings in, it’s a good time to make sure you have the tools you’ll need to respond to any situation that might arise in your home.
Tools for New Homeowners
- Common household tools: Invest in a home toolkit to have on hand. Don't wait till you need to repair or install something—buy this as one of your first stops.
- Troubleshooting lists: Make sure you know what steps to take when experiencing technology or appliance issues. If you can try everything necessary on your end before contacting a technician, you may be surprised that you don't even need their help!
- Manuals + warranties: Don't throw these straight in the trash. Keep them in a safe place such as a filing cabinet to have handy should you need to replace any appliances.
- Customer Care: Familiarize yourself with when to contact the M/I Homes Customer Care team for a warranty-related question or concern.
Things New Homeowners Need to Buy
Before you clean out your nearest hardware store, take some time to think through what you’ll actually need, such as these basics:
- Indoor Necessities: Cleaning supplies, furniture pads, proper floor cleaning solution, vacuum, broom, etc.
- Outdoor Necessities: Hose and sprinkler, outdoor seating, shovel, rake, gloves to pull weeds, edger, mower
You can always rely on Amazon's two-day shipping or local stores when you're ready to add new gadgets.
For other tips on what every homeowner should have during move-in, check out this moving day guide!
Money Saving Tips for New Homeowners
There are going to be more homeownership costs than you likely expect when you move in.
Even though you’ll want to buy all the new home décor pieces you’ve been eyeing and personalize each room’s paint color, hold off on a few home projects and space them out over time.
Keep an emergency fund. Even though your home is new and all the appliances are unused, you’ll have more peace of mind with some wiggle room nonetheless.
If you’re upgrading in size with your new home, a few months of utility bills will give you a glimpse into what your budget will need to include going forward. Especially if you’re relocating, give your energy bills a few extra months of season changes, hottest/coldest days, etc.
Cleaning Tips for New Homeowners
Keeping your new home sparkling clean will become more and more challenging as life unfolds: dirty shoes, pet dander, furniture arranging—they’re all coming for your nice, new house!
- Carpets: Invest in a good vacuum and potentially a carpet cleaner if you have pets or young kids.
- Hard floors: Know and use the proper cleaning solution (hardwoods vs. vinyl, etc.); non-abrasive broom bristles, etc.
- Countertops: Keeping those granite or quartz counters shining every day will take proper cleanup and care!
- Wall care: When a wall gets dinged, scuffed, or scratched, you’ll need to make sure you use the proper method for cleaning or repairs (i.e. don’t just scrub your walls with any old cleaning materials).
Regular New Home Maintenance
There are seasonal, annual, and everywhere in-between tasks that you'll want to stay on top of as a new homeowner. Keeping things working effectively and consistently keeping things clean and organized will go a long way in your home.
Seasonal Maintenance
Outdoor Maintenance
Outdoor projects in particular can consume a whole weekend, so plan your schedule accordingly to make sure your home has the attention it deserves in order to stay as beautiful as the others on your block!
Indoor Maintenance
There are often neglected areas inside your home to add to your regular to-do list: cleaning baseboards, dusting fan blades, changing your furnace filter, and so much more.
Keeping your appliances clean and functioning properly will contribute to their longevity and efficiency. Don't neglect the appliances in your home just because they were new when you moved in.
Your new home will last as long as you care for it and give it the time it deserves! From carrying out regular maintenance to keep things working properly to knowing how to respond to any issues, you’re in good hands with our new homeowner guide.
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