Apartment life has treated you well, but now you’re ready for home ownership. While living in an apartment has some perks (such as not having to mow the lawn) you simply can’t beat the thrill of having a permanent place to call home – including being free from hearing upstairs neighbors move furniture in the early morning hours.
How to Switch from Apartment Living to Homeownership
Save Your Money
You’ll have to build a sizable savings account to purchase a new home in the Tampa Bay area. You have to save for a down payment, and you need to make sure that your credit score is up to par.
Remember that you will need to bear the expense of any home repairs that need to be done when you own home; while you will have a home inspection on your new house, it’s a good idea to be prepared for anything. Most homebuyers look into home warranty programs that cover appliances and HVAC systems.
Prepare a Weekly Chore List
Keeping up your home is far more in depth than keeping up an apartment is. You have to mow the lawn, perform seasonal maintenance and handle general upkeep. Of course, Mother Nature will throw in a few curveballs, so you have to be prepared to be flexible.
Keep Things Simple
Moving into your home is very exciting. You may find yourself wanting to buy things you have never purchased before. Focus only on things you need right now and continue stashing away money for your down payment.
While you have to buy the essentials, such as a lawnmower and a washer and dryer, you should wait on elaborate decorative items. Instead, just ease into those purchases. Making purchases slowly will also help you help you commit to your overall idea rather than rushing into a décor plan that you don’t really love.
Take the DIY Route
If you have always relied on others to fix up your living space, now is the time to learn how to tackle DIY projects. There are number of wonderful how-to videos online. Whether you are fixing a leaky faucet or sealing a deck, you can save yourself money by not having to hire labor. If you feel the project is too big, you can fall back on your savings for home repairs.
Thinking of Moving to Tampa Bay?
If you are buying your first home in the area, please browse our Tampa Bay real estate listings.
When you’re ready, give us a call at 813-961-6000 or 727-584-8480 or contact us online and we will help you find the perfect place to live.