How to prepare for moving into your first home
Buying your first home is a process that’s full of different emotions, as anyone who has been through it will tell you. It can be incredibly exciting, nerve-wracking, and also quite stressful. So, if there are things you can do to help reduce your stress levels along the way, it’s definitely worth it.
My name is Nina and I recently bought my first home. I’ve already shared my experience and advice on making offers on properties during the process, which you can read here. But how can you prepare for moving into your first home after you’ve had an offer accepted?
Take the opportunity to declutter
It sounds cliché, but that’s because it’s true. It’s not until you start to pack your life into boxes when you realise just how much stuff you may have accumulated over time. It can be hard, especially if you’re sentimental like myself, but it’s important to think to yourself, “do I really need this?”.
Not only will it help you to value the items you do hold dear, but this will also make moving day much easier by cutting down on the number of boxes. You might be surprised by just how much ends up going to the charity shop, and how much better you’ll feel after purging some unloved items. I know I did.
Plan your new budget
While it might be difficult to skip ahead in your mind to feeling settled into your new home, especially when you’re still preparing to move, it’s worth considering how your spendings will change after you become a homeowner.
As someone who went from paying for a rental property in Edinburgh to then having a fixed-rate mortgage, the difference can be quite large. But there are also other costs to consider: if you’re moving into a flat, will there be factor fees? Have you considered contents insurance? Will your food shops change in price if you move to a new area?
When you get a new home, a lot of elements will shift and have an effect on your monthly outgoings. It’s vital that you think ahead of time, so that you can be realistic and budget accordingly.
Fix any damages to your current home
If you’re renting and have a deposit you want returned, it’s the right thing to make sure that you leave your current situation no worse than you found it. Big or small, it’s best not to risk getting on the wrong side of the landlord.
If you hammered a hole in the wall, fill it in. If you used the oven a lot and left grease in there, clean it up. You never know what might come out of a rental inspection, so it’s best not to take the risk.
Not only is this the decent thing to do, but it’s also worth remembering that you’re about to own a place of your own. How would you feel if after you move in, someone came to stay, and left some damage behind? Every home belongs to somebody, so be respectful of the condition you leave it in.
Curious about other aspects of buying your first home in Scotland? Then check out our First Timers Club podcast series now for great advice and information to help you on your way to becoming a homeowner.