Congratulations! You’ve made one of the biggest investments in your life, buying your first home.
The fun doesn’t stop after the purchase though. There are typically other improvements and updates you’ll need to make now that you’ve moved in.
These updates will help you keep your new property in good shape, and increase the value of your home. Let’s dive in!
1. Clean, Clean, Clean
The first thing you do when you buy your home is to give it a very thorough clean. While the seller has an obligation to hand over the keys with the home in “move-in” condition, that doesn’t mean there was a deep clean done.
Take the time to do a deep clean, getting that nasty dust from baseboards and window blinds. Scrub the grout in bathroom showers, and get it looking brand new. This is best done before you actually move in. So, if you have the time between when you take possession and you make your move, this is the time to do that.
2. Upgrade Appliances & Home Maintenance
A major upgrade we always recommend to new home buyers is to upgrade any home appliances and ensure maintenance is adhered to. Typically, as first-time home buyers, the property you purchased isn’t necessarily going to be brand new or have new appliances.
By upgrading your appliances when you first buy, you skip the havoc that comes with having to replace old appliances if they break down. For example, if the property has an older dishwasher and it breaks down, this could cause significant water damage to your unit and potentially the other homes in the area, too.
By taking the time to upgrade your appliances, not only are you adding value to your home and living space, but you’re saving yourself major headaches down the line.
Lastly, you’ll want to upgrade the hoses on your clothing washer. Typically, these are rubber or plastic hoses which are known to randomly burst or break overtime. We always recommended upgrading those hoses to braided-steel hoses. This will help ensure you don’t spring an unexpected leak when doing routine laundry.
3. Upgrade Security
Always be mindful of the security risks and your privacy when moving into a new home. While it seems quite basic, these tips to upgrade your security are essential to you and your family’s safety.
The first thing you want to do is get new locks. Search for a locksmith in your area who can come change out the locks. If you have a storage unit, you’ll also want to consider changing the padlock on those as well. That way, if there are any old keys from previous tenants or residences, they cannot access your new home.
Also consider how secure your windows are. Can people easily access the home from outside windows? If so, consider adding some reinforcement inside such as window stoppers or other security measures.
Lastly, we also recommend getting some security system or video surveillance set up outside or inside your home. With the plethora of different technologies out there,
4. Energy Efficiency Upgrades
After spending so much money on your new home and possibly new appliances, you’ll want to keep your future energy bills down, too!
A great way to do this is by going through the home and upgrading any lighting to LED lights. You can also add other dimmer switches and auto-off timers for heating systems and other electronics. This will help you better manage your energy and save money on your hydro electricity bill each month. Not to mention, it’s good for the environment!
5. Fresh Paint
A fresh coat of paint can transform a room. Sometimes, that’s all that is needed instead of big kitchen or bathroom renos that can cost tens of thousands.
Ideally, see if you can plan out and paint the desired rooms right after you get possession. Similar to the cleaning situation, if the painting can be done before you move all your belongings in, then this will set you up for success.
It may also be worth getting an interior designer involved. They will be able to help you pick up color palettes that suit your desired vibe and lifestyle you’re looking for.
6. Other Interior Upgrades
If you’ve tackled the above and have more budget to continue making home improvements for your new home, here are some other interior upgrades to consider.
New blinds and window coverings
Similar to a fresh coat of paint, new blinds and window coverings can breath new life into a space. They can allow you to bring in the outside light more effectively, or block it out when you want to be in darkness. Also, if the ones in the home are old and used, over time they begin to bend and will lower the attractiveness of the home from both inside and outside.
Bathroom Upgrades
Almost any bathroom upgrades can increase the value of your home. However, these home improvement projects also typically cost the most, too. Adding in new sicks, redoing countertops, installing heated flooring, upgrading the backsplash, are all ideas of how you can upgrade your bathroom for that added appeal.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes the best improvements you’ll make when first buying a home will be to upgrade your lifestyle. This includes things like new appliances, new paint, energy upgrades, and more. From there, the other home improvement ideas like bathroom upgrades, new countertops, or flooring can be done later.
Remember, it’s about making the most of your new home!
