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First Time Buyer: 4 Tips to Make a House a Home



When deciding whether to rent or buy your own property, it is important to carefully consider all aspects of both options before making this major decision. Those thinking about becoming first-time buyers should know that there are many things no one tells you about buying your own home, until after the deal has been done and they are often forced to learn by experience.


Be Realistic When it Comes to Budgeting

It's all well and good when we have an idea in our heads of what we'd love in our homes but often this isn't feasible and we need to adjust our vision and find other alternatives. Be realistic about your budget and try not to set yourself up for failure by setting goals too high and beyond what you can afford. It's fine to go over your original estimate as long as it's worth doing so, but make sure you don't get carried away with costs because at the end of the day, sometimes it's just not possible.

This needs to start before you even buy your property because it's the starting point of this journey. Lane County people looking for houses thoroughly research all the homes for sale in Eugene, Oregon that are within their price range and make the purchase decision based on their findings. It's important to stick to your budget so that you don't end up with a home you can't afford in the long run. Once this is done, it's time to think about how to save on whipping your home into shape and getting all the necessities you had in mind.

To help you cut costs and save up for new items to fill your new home, there are often items lying around homes that could be put to better uses than they currently serve. First-time buyers along with families would do well to get inventive and repurpose some of their household items. For example, using baskets or plastic crates as storage containers.


Get the Utility Services In Order

The first thing to do is meet with local utility companies for electric, water, gas, and cable/internet providers. Tell them you are planning to have the service shut off for a short time so that you can change out all of your old appliances. This will allow you to get new equipment that is more energy-efficient.

Set a few days to get your appliances ready and make use of this time to inspect the interior and exterior of your home. If your home has a nearby well, take the opportunity to test the quality of your well water before getting settled in. Your well water will come in handy as an alternative water source when you need it, so have it treated and ready as soon as you move in. Make it potable or safe for general use by installing a well water treatment system to eliminate common well water contaminants, such as sulfate, nitrates, iron, and coliform bacteria.

For any service where you are not sure what kind of equipment is being used currently, just have it temporarily disconnected until the old unit can be removed. It does not need to run for very long if it doesn't work properly anyway!


Make Your New House Pest-free

One of the most important things to do when moving into a new home is to get rid of any pests that may have made their way in through pack rats, squirrels, or other furry friends that could cause serious damage if they aren't caught immediately.

Professional pest control can be pricey but will ultimately save you more money and headaches down the road. If you don't want to invest in getting rid of pests right away, there are some effective DIY options such as borax and vinegar which kill ants and roaches on contact. Don't forget to clean up any food that may be laying around, and make sure that you don't leave any dirty dishes in the sink for mice to scrounge.

 

Customize Your Home’s Decoration and Curb Appeal

A great way to make your home stand out is by putting some personal touches on it. You can choose colors based on your favorite team or paint your walls with graffiti stencils. There are plenty of ways to decorate inexpensively but still give the place a unique feel!

Often we can get into a habit of tackling our decorating all in one go and overwhelm ourselves and become stressed out. Don't feel like you need to design and decorate your home from top to bottom immediately, instead take things one room at a time. This will help you stay focused on small goals rather than having too much for you to do which can ultimately lead you to not doing anything at all - so get started little by little. Don't forget about outdoor decorations as well! A new lawn gnome or two will really seal the deal.

Speaking of outdoor decorations and lawns, don't forget about curb appeal! You may want to consider hiring a professional landscaping company to help you makeover your yard. A few hundred dollars can buy a lot of plants, flowers, and decorative fountains. In addition, paint the outside of your home to give it that fresh new look! Use light colors if you are planning on selling in the future or bold ones if you plan on staying for a while.




Whether you've recently bought your first home or are planning on buying one in the near future, make sure that it's one of the most important purchases you ever make by learning how to create a safe and comfortable atmosphere for everyone who will be living there. Take into consideration all aspects of this major decision including budgeting, decorating, and repurposing household items.