Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash
Things in your new home are bound to break down over time, whether it’s your central air conditioning, oven or another item, and a home warranty can help. A home warranty is an annual service contract that covers the cost of repairing or replacing home appliances and system parts, which, no surprise, can get pretty expensive.
If you’re not into the idea of paying a regular fee in addition to your home insurance, it’s also a good idea to start an emergency fund strictly for fixing things around the home. This way, if your washer hose decides to burst, you don’t have to decide between repairing the water damage in the laundry room and taking the vacation you’d really been looking forward to.
2. Get “replacement coverage” added to your homeowner’s insurance
In the event of a real catastrophe, you’ll be glad you had replacement coverage to cover any property damage. According to the Denver Post, you should make sure that your policy states in writing exactly what will be covered should the worst happen. Take photos, keep receipts and write down a list of serial numbers for all of your valuables. The more info you can retain, the more proof you have for a potential reimbursement.
3. Keep the deed and other important documents in a fireproof safe
In addition to “replacement coverage,” you’ll want to keep the deed to your home, as well as proof of any renovations and valuables for safekeeping. The best way to do so is in a fireproof safe. It may sound extreme, but in Colorado, you never know.
4. Replace the locks to the home
Photo by Jaye Haych on Unsplash
If you’re not the first person to live in your new home, you may want to replace the locks. You never know how many people have copies to the current locks on the front or back doors. And while you’re at it, get a few extra sets of keys made for when you inevitably lose yours — it’s much cheaper than calling your locksmith to let you in if you get locked out.
However, if locking yourself out tends to be a habit, you could also install a keypad to your garage door or smart locks that connect to an app on your smartphone to get you back in.
5. Replace smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years, while carbon monoxide detectors should be replaced every 5. It might be hard to tell when the last time the ones in your new home were replaced, so even if it’s just for peace of mind, it’s not a bad idea to replace them yourself.
6. Invest in a comfy sofa and mattress
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
To some, a new home is like a blank canvas for painting. However, furniture styles and decor trends come and go, and if you’re someone who likes to update rooms quite often, it’s not always worth spending a lot of money on it. However, a comfortable couch will never go out of style — what’s the point of a couch if you hate sitting on it anyways? And a quality mattress will ensure you get a good night’s sleep for years to come under your new roof.
7. Get a good set of tools and learn how to use them
As a renter, you probably had a landlord or a super who took care of clogged drains, leaky faucets, loose door knobs and other things that needed fixing. But as a new homeowner, you’re on your own. Maybe you have a handyman on call, but sometimes it’s easier to just fix a problem yourself (and word to the wise, do it before it gets worse).
Nonetheless, if you’re new homeowners, you’ll also need to make space to store your extra belongings safely and securely. If you don’t have the luxury of a basement, garage, attic or other room for added storage, keep portable storage in mind. Whether it’s for in between moving or for seasonal tools (like a ride-on lawn mower or holiday decor), contact the team at The Box Portable Storage. To request a free quote, you can give us a call at (970) 800-3807 or fill out this form online and someone from our local team will be in touch within 24 hours to discuss container sizing, delivery and more. We look forward to helping you with any of your storage needs.
Learn More About The Box Portable Storage
