Here Are the House Keys, Now What? – The New York Times

Give the space a fresh coat of paint to make it your own. Every time I move into an apartment, I paint no matter what, said Kevin Dumais, a New York based interior designer. Now is not necessarily the time to figure out the perfect hue to complement your furniture and lighting. So, if you dont have the time or energy to sort through paint swatches, choose a clean white, knowing you may paint rooms again later. Mr. Dumais suggests a hue like Benjamin Moore White Dove. Something that feels fresh and clean until you can figure out what you want.

By the time youre done shelling out mind-boggling sums for your down payment, closing costs and the moving van, your savings account may be drained. But try to build a cushion into your budget so that you have a little extra left in the quiver, should you need extra cash.

Appliances may break, the sellers may have neglected regular upkeep in the months while the house was on the market, leaving you with gutters full of leaves and a furnace in need of a tune up. Added to that, a first homeowner accustomed to calling the super when things go awry may be unaware of all the tasks required in ordinary upkeep. More than half the respondents to a 2018 HomeAdvisor survey of new homeowners reported spending more time and money on projects than they expected they would during the first year.

There is a pretty steep learning curve for a lot of people about what goes into the proper maintenance, said Dan DiClerico, a HomeAdvisor home expert. Every house has its quirks. Until you know yours, you may miss a few things.

For former renters, the first year as a homeowner can come as a shock. Lawns need to be mowed, air filters changed, windows caulked and appliances repaired. Ilyce R. Glink, the author of 100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask, recommends setting aside 2 percent to 5 percent of the homes selling price for upkeep. So, if a home costs $500,000, budget $10,000 to $25,000 a year for repairs, improvements and maintenance, depending on the size of the home and land. (The estimate includes the costs of big ticket items, like a new roof or boiler, which would only be needed once every 20 years or so, but still need to be factored in with annual costs.) Expect your first year to be among your more expensive ones.

You hire movers, you need carpet, you need to paint, Ms. Glink said. There is a push to nest and build out after you move in.

Your list of dream projects may be long. So prioritize. A boiler might be boring, but you need it more than a set of Roman shades. Were entering a very uncertain period here. Its all the more important to do what you can, as a homeowner, to avoid unexpected emergency repairs, said Mr. DiClerico, of HomeAdvisor. Focus on the nuts and bolts. You can certainly wait on a new chandelier.

Excerpt from:
Here Are the House Keys, Now What? - The New York Times