If you are the owner of a new home, congratulations! Buying your own house is a big step and requires a lot of work before and after the purchase. Once you have secured the mortgage and are ready to move in, however, the biggest job begins.
Putting your own personal stamp on a house is a lengthy process. You will most likely need to do a lot of renovation and decorative work to make it your own, and you may not know where to begin. Here are some handy tips on how to transform your new house into your dream family home.
- Start with Essential Building Work
Want to make a room bigger? Or install a driveway? Need a new roof? Notice some unsightly damage to some of the walls? How about an extension? Also, have you inspected the house for damp or pests? All these things will need to be addressed before you can start choosing color schemes and wallpaper.
You can easily search for building contractors of all kinds in your area online or in a directory or ask your new neighbors for a recommendation. If you have found pests in your new property, you will need to contact a company like pest control, who will eliminate the problem quickly and efficiently, so you can get on with enjoying your home.
- Transfer Your Bills
This is another boring job you will need to complete before the fun can begin! Call up your gas, electricity, water, broadband and TV providers to let them know you have moved to a new house. Otherwise, your mail will end up at the wrong address and things will get very confusing.
- Organize a Removal Service
Moving your furniture and personal items to your new address needn’t be stressful. With the right moving team, your belongings will be with you in your new location in no time. Remember that more hands-on-deck makes light work!
Look in a directory for the best removal van companies in the area and get them to give you a quote. They will be more than happy to help load your things into their vans, drive them to your new house and unload them for you. They might even bring them into the house and place them where you want them, for an easy moving experience.
- Go Furniture Shopping
If you have upsized, or if you have moved out of your parents’ house for the first time, you may not have any or enough furniture to fill your new abode. Now is the time to scour the local paper for people selling their second-hand furniture, or use Facebook’s marketplace feature to find inexpensive furniture which still has life in it. Thrift stores are also a good place to find cheap sofas, tables, mirrors and more.
Buying second-hand ensures your home will be completely unique and you’ll find some amazing vintage pieces, but if you prefer to buy new there are thousands of furniture store options. Happy shopping!
- Get Decorating
Making your new rooms just how you like them may require re-decorating – painting, wallpapering and getting new carpets. Decide on color schemes and fabrics and you’re ready to go! Don’t forget the garden, which may be neglected if the house had been on the market or unoccupied for a long time.
- Get to Know Your Neighbors
Introduce yourself to your new neighbors first-off: they can tell you where the nearest convenience shops are, where the best nearby places to take the kids to are, and all the area’s best features. It’s great to set yourself up with a community support network early on so you can make new friends and settle in easily. Invite them round for coffee or put a postcard in their mailbox letting them know you’re new to the town.
