Buying your first home is an exciting event! If you’ve been renting an apartment for years, there are a few things you should know when you make the transition to homeownership. Be sure to keep these simple facts and tips in mind as you embark on this next chapter in your life.
Performing general maintenance
When you buy a brand-new home, it’s not likely you will be making huge repairs or renovating on the weekends, but there are still maintenance tasks you will need to perform to keep your new home in tip-top shape. Changing the furnace filter, blowing out the sprinkler system in the fall and shoveling snow from the walkways will now fall to you instead of your landlord.
Make sure you do your research and have the proper tools ready. Depending on the size of your yard, you may need to take a trip to your local home improvement store for a lawn mower and basic gardening tools. If you purchase from Richmond American, a construction superintendent will walk you through your finished home to go over basic maintenance information. This is the perfect time to ask questions so you know how to properly care for your home.
Buying key furniture pieces
Although you may be excited and thinking about decorating your new home, making major furniture purchases during the loan process can affect the outcome of your mortgage loan application. According to our affiliate, HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, mortgage lenders consider you as less of a risk if you have cash reserves available after closing to cover any additional expenses or emergencies that might arise. Wait until after you have closed on your new home to make major purchases, or increase your credit card balances if necessary.
Don’t forget the window coverings!
Whether choosing a new or resale home, make sure you’ve accounted for window coverings in your budget. The last thing you need is to be tacking up sheets on the first night in your new living space! When you purchase from Richmond American, you may have the option of having window treatments installed before you move in. Just ask your design consultant at the Home Gallery™ for details.
Cut down on energy consumption
If you’ve been renting, you may not have paid much attention to your energy bill. Either it was paid for or shared walls made your consumption hard to control. When you purchase a single-family home, keeping your energy consumption low is in your hands. Closing blinds during the day, opting for an energy-saving washer and dryer and programming your thermostat for a different temperature when you are typically away from the house can go a long way toward keeping costs at a minimum.
Ready to transition from a rental to your own home? Get started today at RichmondAmerican.com.
