Buying your first home is a huge milestone for anyone and deserves to be celebrated. However, first-time buying can be a complicated process with hidden obstacles and new challenges that many are unprepared for.
For those looking to begin their journey into becoming homeowners in Sydney, we know that it can be a confusing ordeal and no amount of algebra and Shakespeare in school prepares us for these real-life endeavours. Unfortunately, whilst there is no manual to adulting, this guide is here to navigate you through one of those big life moments, so that you can really enjoy buying and moving into your first home.
Create a budget
Before you begin the process of buying your first home it’s necessary to know what kind of budget you are working with. Whilst it’s very easy to get carried away scrolling through your dream houses on Domain, fantasising about what life could look like, when it comes to actually buying somewhere it's important to be realistic. Creating a strict budget to adhere to will help narrow down your search pool and avoid reaching difficult financial spots later down the line.
Prepare for Unforeseen Costs
Coinciding with your budget, it’s good to note that when buying your home many additional and potentially unforeseen costs can arise. Unlike rental properties where you are mainly paying for just the space, buying a home requires extra financial considerations such as stamp duty (unless exempt), council rates, building inspections, government fees and of course mortgage registration and solicitors fees. For many who are not experienced in purchasing property, these can be easily overlooked but making sure to set aside extra money for all of these aspects will help to create a well-rounded budget.
Create a Moving Checklist
If it’s not yet obvious, preparation is key to successfully moving into your first home. With so much to think about and so many steps to tick off, creating a thorough checklist for moving house will help ensure that you have not forgotten anything. Make sure to include as much detail as possible in your checklist, such as dates, who will be completing the task (if there are multiple household members) and payment deadlines. Not only will a checklist help you stick to schedule throughout the move, but it will also help you feel a sense of accomplishment as you tick off each stage through the process.
Call in the Professionals
Although your first home comes with many adulting challenges, breaking your back moving furniture doesn’t have to be one of them! While you'll soon master the art of unclogging drains and remembering bin day, there's no shame in knowing when to call in the professionals, particularly for moving day. Working with local removalists Sydney can help bear the weight of potentially one of the most stressful parts of buying a house. Covering all bases of the move, a reputable removalist company will pack your life into boxes, transport it safely, and even put it all back together at your new place. Best part? They can even help you reassemble the DIY flatpack furniture you’ve been avoiding pulling apart, in fear of never getting it back together again. A truly essential addition to your moving A-team, Sydney removalists take care of all the practicalities so that you can juggle paperwork and dream of paint colours.
Consider Renovation Works
Another part of buying that you do not have to account for when renting is the renovation process. For those buying properties that will require high amounts of renovation work, this can affect all aspects of the moving process. From budgeting to a moving timeline, renovation work can throw up massive upheavals to your plans but the key to avoiding a meltdown when this happens is to have backup solutions. If you are planning on buying a property that requires work to be done on it, then one of your best investments to help is finding good storage solutions. Not only will storage keep your belongings safe, but it will also keep them out of your way in a secure unit so that work can be done freely and without worry. As well as having temporary space set up for your items, it’s good to research local hotels and Airbnb’s that you could stay in overnight if the house is out of bounds.
Establish Ground Rules
As adults you may have thought your days of chore charts were done, however, when moving into your first house (particularly with a partner) it’s important to set clear ground rules to avoid fallouts. Although creating a chore chart may seem like an excessive task, delegating work between the household members in a light-hearted but clear way is a great solution to avoid awkwardness and confrontation once living together. With many people having different expectations and preferences when it comes to household tasks, understanding how each other works in the house is great not only for the move but to create a harmonious life together.
Get a spare key to hide
Last but certainly not least on the list is getting a spare key to hide in a safe place. Like most people, you’ve probably locked yourself out of your house at least once. If you’re lucky, then there would've been a family member close by to let you in or a landlord down the road who would drop off a spare key. However, if you happen to lock yourself out shortly after moving into a new home, then things get a little stickier. Without a spare key, you may be forced to have a locksmith come out and resolve the situation which can result in a heavy charge at the end. Getting a spare key cut before moving in and leaving it with family or placed in a safe space, is the “adulting” life hack that will avoid unnecessary drama and ridiculous costs that don’t need to happen.
Is it normal to feel nervous about moving out?
With all of these things to consider, adapting to change can be hard and so feeling nervous about moving out is inevitable. If you are moving into your first home with a partner or just new to the process, jitters are completely normal and something that should be embraced as nervous excitement. However, what you shouldn't be is completely overwhelmed by the process. It’s supposed to be fun! By following these simple steps provided and finding professional help where you can, you can celebrate becoming first-time buyers without all the stress that comes with it.
Make your first move a stress-free one with Holloway Removals & Storage. While moving may be new to you, their team brings over a decade of experience in professional moving and storage solutions, ensuring your belongings are in expert hands.
