Buying a new home is always exciting – especially when it’s your first home. We give lots of advice on preparing for your home purchase and the costs to expect when you buy a home, i.e. monthly utility bills, home maintenance, etc., but most people are not sure of the most important things to purchase prior to or moving into their new home.

First, consider the outside of your home – now you have a yard. As wonderful as that is, your are still responsible for taking care of that yard and unless you have budgeted to pay someone to mow it regularly, you need to consider investing in a lawnmower. Now is a great time of year to comparison shop for lawn equipment, as retailers prepare for the busy spring season.  Other gardening supplies to have on hand include a sprinkler, push broom and weed whacker.

The same holds true for appliances. While many new and resale homes may come with a washer, dryer and refrigerator, many do not. Again, spend some time comparing prices for all of these items or consider spending a weekend shopping at garage sales or moving sales.
Cleaning supplies are another item that should be on your list.

Make a list of the various cleaning supplies needed for your new home – the various types of flooring, carpet, countertops and other surfaces. Glass cleaning and a good floor cleaner can go a long way.

Consider changing out locks and keys. If the previous sellers were like most people, the neighbors, friends and coworkers all might have a set of keys to your house. Even new home builders give out keys to contractors. It's smart to change the locks and / or install deadbolts. Purchasing all new locks can be expensive and a more affordable alternative is to remove locks and take them to your local hardware store to re-key. You can buy all new locks, but that's expensive, or you can call a locksmith to change the locks for you.

When you are a homeowner, you will eventually find the tools that you just can’t live without. A good list to get started with and to have readily available is as follows:

1. Hammers: Ball & Claw
2. Assorted Screw drivers: Flathead & Phillips
3. Hacksaw
4. Pliers
5. Plumber's Wrench
6. Basin Wrench
7. Small Drill & Drill Bits
8. Nail Driver
9. Staple Gun
10. Tape Measure

Your new home may already have window coverings but this is often an expense – to the home buyer with uncovered windows or the one who wants to change the look of the window coverings. A wide variety of window coverings is available and includes blinds, shutters, shades, drapes, window toppers and sheers to name just a few.  If this is an expense you are not quite ready to incur, you can purchase paper shades that are self adhesive which will provide privacy until you install permanent window coverings. From the outside, it’s difficult to tell these coverings are paper and some cost less than $5.

Finally, in addition to the furniture you move in with and/or plan to buy and any favorite electronics, most homeowners will stock their new home as time passes and their needs change. In addition to the basics – dishes, flatware, glassware, cookware, etc. you will eventually need to purchase floor coverings, such as rugs for the kitchen and bath and linens. Other good essentials to stock up on include batteries, flashlights, light bulbs, and air filters.

Now, enjoy your new home!