Homebuying Advice

[AngieDoogles]

Hey everyone! My hubby and I just signed the initial contract for our first home last week! We'll close when construction is complete in January. The home is gorgeous and in a really great neighborhood and we're super excited. Just wondering if anyone has any advice for a first time homebuyer/homeowner. I've been making a list of things we'll need to purchase such as a lawnmower, rakes, water sealer, etc., but if you have suggestions for things we just have to have, please let me know!

Thanks!

[gja1000]

There are lots of things that you need at a new house, but fortunately, you don't really need all of them at once. Does it come with blinds? If so, that is good because that can be a big expense. If you have blinds, you don't need curtains - or you can wait to get them if you really want curtains.

You will need water hoses and sprinklers, but probably not till spring/summer. A wheelbarrow is always nice for carrying things around. Brendon will need tools, which he may already have, e.g., hammer, screw drivers, drill, etc. A ladder is a must too, and a weed eater.

Does your new house have a fence? If not, you'll probably want to put one in after Aiden can walk so that he can play outside. Is the yard landscaped, grass, flowers, shrubs, trees?

You will gradually accumulate the things that you want/need.

[AngieDoogles]

Great ideas, Gayle! Thanks! We are lucky that my mom works for a company that manufactures blinds and window treatments for interior designers and she has already told us that she's going to buy blinds for all our windows. My uncle (who contracts with her company) is going to install them for us. So that's one big expense taken care of!

We also get an allotment for shrubbery included in the price of the house so before closing we get to choose what we want and plant it. We may need to add some more, but at least that's a start. We're also going to be doing the seeding before we close, but the contractors are supplying the materials.

I'm adding a lot of the other stuff you mentioned to our list and before we move in I'll organize it by season and buy a little at a time. We were lucky to get grants for some of the downpayment and closing costs, so we'll be able to use our income tax return for the "big expense" items without affecting our budget/savings at all.

Also, we were working at the house yesterday and met several of our neighbors. Our neighborhood seems really awesome. The neighbors across the street from us are three post-college single guys. One of them owns the home, but we met the other two who live there. They were both super sweet and even offered to help us move in. Our next door neighbors to the left are a couple with three children (12, 3, and 6mo) so Aiden will have a playmate! They already invited us to dinner and seemed very excited to meet Aiden. The husband is a professor at the university. I love how friendly and welcoming the community has been so far! I think we're going to like living there.

[DianaB]

Hmmm........I don't have any ideas on what to get!!! You'll figure it out even if it's a little at a time!!! Congratulations on your new house!!!! You'll have to post pictures!!!!

[judy]

Congratulations on the house Angie!!! How wonderful that your neighbors are nice, and that the neighborhood is nice!

I see some summer stuff still on sale. I would try to hunt for these, which are really marked down now. Plant food, spades, watering cans, hoses, etc. If you can buy things after the season, you can save a bunch. I also see some Halloween decorations still around, very inexpensive now. You can also get Christmas decorations on sale since you will be moving in January.

I have seen pix on fb, and the house is wonderful!!!

[Blueyes]

I'm so happy for you!! After Christmas this year, you should buy decorations for outside your house for next year. Everything will be clearanced, and you'll at least need a new wreath for your front door

[Blueyes]

LOL, I should read more closely before I post. Good idea, Judy

[DianaB]

I thought of something that you should have......a small step ladder. I have one with about 3 or 4 steps and it's so handy for changing light bulbs and reaching all of those high places. It's one of the most useful things that I have!!!

[JJJ]

CONGRATS!!!

How exciting to be moving in your first house.

[judy]

The ladder is very important! Good idea, Diana. A power drill too, that can double as an electric screwdriver.