Avoid These First-time Homeowner Spending Mistakes

No one plans to waste money purposely, but sometimes it happens, especially when it comes to our homes.   As a first-time homeowner (and even those who are more seasoned), you don’t want your excitement over a new home to crank up your spending.

Owning a home already adds new expenses compared to renting.  You have to spend money unexpectedly for a repair or a replacement at any point in time, so make sure you always have enough savings on hand and avoid making any of these costly spending mistakes.  

Keep in mind that these are great tips whether you just moved in or have lived in your home for a while:

Want an HGTV home right away. Do you love design and renovation shows and want your home to be like the “after” shots as soon as possible? Stop this urge and make yourself live in your home for some time with your existing stuff before you make any major purchases (i.e., sectional couch, four-poster bed, dining room table), too many minor purchases (i.e., linens, curtains, rugs), or any drastic renovation decisions.

I tell clients to give themselves a year until their house starts to feel like “home.”  Spend time in it before you do too much, learn how you live in your home first, and then buy accordingly.

Don’t try to fill empty rooms with artwork, furniture, or decor “bling” like you’re in a race. Make thoughtful purchases and save up for the good stuff you’ll love for years to come. Enjoy the actual process of making over your new home by taking your time – you’ll save money along the way, and your rooms will genuinely reflect your personality!

Bypassing Do-It-Yourself attempts.  You may have a yard now that needs to be mowed or raked or a larger home with more bathrooms to clean. Try to see if you can manage some of these new chores yourself before hiring a lawn care service or a cleaning service. That could save you hundreds of dollars each month.

Some fix-it tasks don’t necessarily need a handyperson or a plumber. Learn to handle some DIY skills on your own. You can check out YouTube videos, get step-by-step instructions from home improvements websites, or attend free in-store workshops in your community.

Not updating some of your old “habits.” Do you buy a cup of coffee every morning on the way to work? Did you always have cable when you rented? Now that you’re a homeowner, you can reevaluate some of the things you did as a renter. Buying a home is like a clean slate where you can start some money-saving habits right away.

You now might have more counter space for a coffee maker and can brew yourself a cup (or cups) before you head out. The upfront cost will pay itself off before you know it. Or, it’s time to rethink how you watch your TV shows. There are so many choices out there that can better match your TV-watching style while saving you money.

Keep looking for ways to save in your new place. What about a rarely used gym membership or the stack of constantly used take-out menus?

 Paying for that extended warranty.  Sometimes major appliances aren’t included with your home purchase or don’t need to be replaced right away. Most of us look for sales and good deals before buying a refrigerator, washer, dryer, and other appliances. That’s why you should think twice before you agree to an extended warranty. That extra money could be better used or saved for your cash flow purposes.

If something does break, it can cost less than what you put into the warranty, OR that particular problem might not be covered at all. You should also check your credit card to see if it offers a year of extended warranty on purchases. 

The last piece of advice about home warranties—you could pay annually for one, and it will cover all appliances and more!

Not shopping around for homeowner’s insurance. Please don’t get into a rut when it comes to insurance. Look for a policy that better protects your home and your pocketbook. Many new buyers stick with their previous renters or auto insurance company. That’s great, but make sure you know what’s covered, the cost for their homeowner’s policies, and then compare this to other companies. 

Remember that having more than one policy with the same company might get you a discount. So ask about any savings if you purchase both your auto and homeowners insurance policies from a company.

Not taking your home’s energy efficiency seriously enough. Your home can cost you hundreds of dollars a year, and you might not even know it. Get yourself an energy audit to see where your home is wasting energy.

I hope these tips help you save some money and help you be a confident homeowner.

Owning a home can feel overwhelming at times.  There is so much to do, so much to think about. Just know that I’m still here for you after you move into your home to answer questions and help you make decisions.  Your home is likely your most significant investment, and I am your go-to resource for all things real estate-related, so don’t hesitate to call or email me! I’m still here for you, even if you aren’t buying or selling a home anytime soon.