Begin your experience in your new house on the right foot by learning a few insider secrets.
We asked a few house owners for their most useful hints for getting settled without stress, from developing the ideal bill paying method to familiarizing oneself with your neighbours.
1. Create a payment plan for your bills.
When you buy a home, the bills that begin accruing are few (rather large) compared to your regular monthly expenses. You may be used to funds being taken from your account – your rent, streaming services, your phone bill, or gym membership – but when you acquire a house, several extra (rather substantial) bills start showing up including insurance coverage and water.
If you keep your money in a drawer, you’ll want to establish an effective and safe system for keeping it organized so that you’re not caught off guard when it’s the debit day – as bills do occasionally arrive when you least expect it.
2. Make friends with your neighbours.
Whether you adore your neighbours or merely endure them, don’t underestimate the value of having friends living close by.
Depending on how long you intend to stay, your neighbours may be in your life for decades. It’s a good idea to be nice, not only because it helps you get a favour from them at some point, but also because it creates a better atmosphere for everyone to live in.
3. Prepare for the unexpected.
Whether you’ve previously leased or lived with your parents, you’re undoubtedly accustomed to having someone else take care of the cleaning when something goes wrong. If you’re buying your first home and discover that your drains are clogged or that a wasps nest has infested your doorway, it may be a surprise.
First and foremost, don’t forget to get insurance. Second, prepare some trustworthy contacts for plumbing, electric, gas, or any other around-the-house work that you perform yourself.
4. Begin practising your DIY skills.
You’ll suddenly discover that you have to do chores you’ve never heard of before.
You’ll need to enhance your home care skills when it comes to a variety of things, from caulking holes in your windows to identifying the studs in your walls. While you may always hire someone for help, there’s no better time than now to pick up a few DIY repair abilities for tasks that don’t necessitate the use of a professional hand.
If you plan carefully, the prospect of making new purchasing decisions may excite you. You might even discover yourself buying items like ladders and lawnmowers that you didn’t previously own.
5. Make sure you’ve checked your mailbox.
There’s a lot of flimflam in the mail these days. Most communication is happening online, and catalogues and coupons may be the only correspondence you receive.
However, every now and again, something crucial slips through the clutter. This may be notification of road closures, proposals for new construction projects, or a notice that electricity maintenance is pending in your region. If you miss a council notice, next thing you know an airport will move in next door.
Don’t forget to verify and update your voter registration to your new address, as well as contact your local council.