There are many essentials you'll need right away when you move into your first house that you may not have required as a renter. Use this checklist to figure out what items you already have and what you need to acquire. It's smart to price items online or at a hardware or home-supplies store and create a budget so that you will have enough cash to cover the essential purchases when you move in.
Curtains, blinds or shutters for bathroom, bedroom and basement windows to meet basic privacy needs. You may be able to persuade your seller to leave window coverings–even if they aren't to your taste. You can defer the cost of replacing them.
Mats, towels, shower curtains and waste baskets for extra bathrooms.
Enough floor and table lamps to ensure adequate lighting in key areas such as kitchen, living room and study or home office.
Energy-efficient lightbulbs to fit all lamps and built-in light fixtures. Check the wattage on bulbs left in light fixtures by the previous owners, so you can buy the correct replacements.
Door mats for the outside of doors.
Low-pile mats or carpet remnants for the inside of doors.
Heavy-duty garbage cans or bins and bungee cords to secure lids so scavenging animals
can't break into them.
Basic garden tools including: leaf rake, shovel, trowel, heavy-duty garden shears for trimming grass and shrubbery, rubber hose, and nozzle.
Power or push lawn mower depending on the size of your yard.
Heavy-duty push broom for basement, garage, porch, and sidewalk clean-up.
Snow shovel, ice-breaker and salt if you are in an area that gets snow.
Basic tools including: screwdrivers with plain and Phillips tips, hammer, pliers, and
adjustable wrench.
Power drill Heavy-duty extension cord Stepladder Heavy-duty flashlight and batteries and/or electric work light.
Smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector for basement, kitchen and second-floor
hall.
Fire extinguisher(s) for kitchen and any rooms with working fireplaces.
Dehumidifier if basement is damp.
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Curtains, blinds or shutters for bathroom, bedroom and basement windows to meet basic privacy needs. You may be able to persuade your seller to leave window coverings–even if they aren't to your taste. You can defer the cost of replacing them.
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