Moving into a new home not only represents a fresh start, but it also opens up a world of possibilities for decorating, personalizing and rearranging your space as you like. You can finally bring all the dreams, ideas and projects you’ve been putting on hold to life — from turning that cozy spare bedroom into a home office or building out that outdoor entertaining area, moving day means it’s time to get creative with your living space.
Here are 3 things to do in the first year of home ownership.
Change The Locks
To protect yourself, your belongings and your family from intruders or other threats, you should make sure that all locks on all doors and windows are secure. That’s why replacing existing locks with new ones is important. Replacing existing locks with better quality ones requires preparation and planning on your part, so be sure to allocate enough time and resources to this endeavor to ensure maximum security protection.
The first step before replacing any locks is to choose the type of lock you need based on its size and shape, level of security desired, expense factor, ease of installation, resistance against weather conditions and more. There are several types available including deadbolts, spring-bolt locks, lever handle locksets and cylinder locksets so be sure to do some research.
Once you have selected the type of lock that fits your needs, take measure of each door or window frame where a lock will be installed — then buy the appropriate-sized lock accordingly at a local hardware store or online retailer. It’s also recommended that you pick up extra screws for mounting the lock on the inside since these tend to not come with most models sold today. Depending on the complexity of installation required for some models like a deadbolt or mortise style lock sets – you may want to consider hiring professional installers who have experience in this line of work rather than attempting it yourself.
Finally, make sure to change any combination codes associated with keypad door entry systems or smart lock access points now as well — just to be safe! Taking this extra step ensures that no one else has access to your home besides those individuals specifically authorized by you—including guests or third-party service providers like cleaners or repairmen who may need temporary access while visiting your property.
Create a maintenance plan
Maintaining a home can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. The key is to create an easy-to-follow maintenance plan that ensures your home stays in top shape for years to come.
Home maintenance isn’t just about keeping the interior looking nice and ensuring repairs are taken care of quickly—it also involves taking preventative steps before problems arise. Regularly inspecting, cleaning and repairing minor issues as they crop up will help you avoid larger (and more expensive) ones later on down the road. That’s why having a well-thought-out maintenance plan to follow can make all the difference when it comes to staying ahead of any major problems that may occur with your property.
A good place to start is creating a list of things you need or want to do that fall within a specific time frame (for example, once every several months or annually). This could include anything from replacing worn washers on faucets and toilets, checking for air leaks around doors and windows, cleaning gutters, servicing HVAC systems or smoke detectors—just to name a few. Some tasks may require the help of a professional for additional expertise – so be sure to check the warranties on large appliances like water heaters or refrigerators in case they need servicing at some point during the year.
Once complete, hang this list somewhere visible such as your refrigerator door or near a calendar as an easy reminder along with scheduling any appointments needed in advance. Doing so enables you to actually dedicate time necessary specifically for maintenance tasks instead of them getting pushed off indefinitely due to other daily demands. Additionally, make sure your emergency numbers are readily accessible should any urgent household issues arise suddenly requiring immediate attention.
Finally – don’t forget regular cleanings! Vacuuming carpets and dusting surfaces (especially those hard-to-reach places!) on a regular basis helps decrease common allergens inside while removing dirt and debris outside helps protect against insect infestations caused by decaying vegetation buildups over time.
Make energy-saving upgrades
Investing in energy-saving initiatives like insulation projects, LED light bulbs or smart thermostats are not only a good way to reduce electricity costs while keeping your home comfortable – they also may make a positive impact on the environment too.
Insulation is often overlooked when it comes to saving energy in the home, but can be one of the most cost-effective ways to maintain a comfortable temperature all year round. This involves sealing any cracks or openings around doors or windows and making sure that air ducts are properly insulated so that hot or cold air isn’t escaping.
Another key factor to consider is switching out traditional incandescent light bulbs for more modern LED lights as this may lower your electricity bill.
Of course, there are other devices available for sale today like motion sensors, dimmers and timers that help save energy depending on your home automation needs – but if you’re looking for something simple yet effective then installing a “smart” thermostat might just be right up your alley! These programmable models allow you to adjust temperatures remotely using an app, thus saving money on monthly bills by not having them running all day long while nobody’s at home. And some models even have learning functionality, which further improves their ability to learn people’s preferences over time and automatically meet those needs efficiently without user input.
If you are looking for a new home in Boise to call your own, contact us today about getting a home loan!