Life Changing Items for New Home Owners
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As a new home owner you may wonder what items you will need to care for it. Over the years I have acquired new tools, equipment and gadgets that made caring for my homes so much easier and indeed, life changing. Where do you live and what type of home do you have (freehold, townhome, condominium, etc.)? The answers to these questions will dictate your need for some of the following items. I have included links for the items I actually have if they are still available, or a similar item if not.
Exterior Items for new home owners...
Snowblower
If you live in the north, you may need a snowblower. I resisted buying one for most of my adult life, even after becoming a home owner. Isn’t that what shovels and sons are for? I finally broke down and bought one when my elderly mother came to live with me. Having a snowblower, especially when you have three driveways (or one long one), plus walkways, is truly life changing. (Shovels are still needed for steps and decks though.)
Lawnmower
In the summer, obviously a lawnmower is essential, unless you live in a condominium where they do all the lawn maintenance. Or you have no grass. Along with this, a lawn trimmer, whipper snipper thing is very useful to getting close to edges.
Wheelbarrow, Hedge Trimmer, & Long-handled Tree Trimmer
If you do any gardening or lawn care, a wheelbarrow can be very handy. Depending on your property, you may also need some special tools like a hedge trimmer or a long handled tree trimmer. Be careful with these, if you like to keep all your fingers. (I came close to losing one of mine.)
Leaf Blower
In the fall you may have a lot of leaves fall on your property. For a lot of leaves, a leaf blower can make the job of getting the majority of leaves cleaned up. Unfortunately, they don’t completely get rid of the need for a leaf rake for those stuck along edges or in corners. (It’s okay to leave a few though – they add nutrients to the soil. Too many leave a yucky mess in the spring though. Personal experience talking here.)
Pressure Washer & Garden Hose
A pressure washer and garden hose are amazing at cleaning hard stuck-on dirt from siding, concrete patios and walkways. They are also great for getting old deck boards cleaned of algae and grime! Cleaning a dirty car is no longer a chore either – just make sure you have the right nozzle for the job.
General items for new home owners...
Tools, Cordless Drill
A basic tool kit is a must with hammer, screwdrivers, pliers and an adjustable wrench. A cordless drill with assorted screwdriver and drill bits is life changing though. Struggling to put shelves up and do minor repairs is a thing of the past with a cordless “drill”.
Adjustable Ladder
If you have any stairs in your home, an adjustable ladder can be life changing. Whether you are painting or trying to change a light bulb, a multi-functional ladder can be a Godsend.
Interior items for new homeowners...
Vacuum Cleaner
Inside the home, you may already know the wonders of a vacuum cleaner. I have tried the most expensive ones (a couple thousand dollars) and the cheapest(about fifty dollars) and I would not recommend either. Get the best quality you can actually afford that fits your budget, after reading the reviews. I currently have a Bissel Powerlifter which I really like, but it isn’t especially lightweight. I like the bagless cannister that is easy to empty and clean and the swivel rewind cord.
Deep Steam Cleaner for Carpet & Upholstery
Another life changing piece of equipment for inside the home is a deep steam cleaner for carpets and upholstery. With the upholstery wand you can also deep clean your car interior.
Planning Your Purchases
Before you start buying anything for your home, prioritize what you are going to need. Do your research before you buy any tool or gadget. Check the reviews and compare with similar products. Include savings in your budget for everything you need to buy, especially those big ticket items like a snowblower. Don’t rule out buying good used items, or borrowing rarely used items (like that tree trimmer). While many of these items may be essential or even life changing, keep in mind that they too will need care and maintenance if you don’t want to waste money replacing them before their time.