The first things in life are often the most beautiful, but they also bring with them the worry that things will eventually change. The moment you put your name on the dotted line and take possession of the keys to your first house, sometimes known as a starter home, you have officially entered the world of adults. Despite the fact that this enables you to live freely and provides you with the necessary level of privacy, it also comes with a large number of duties.

You start to care a lot more about your starter home. You are responsible for everything, from furnishing the rooms to stocking the kitchen with food. The development of adult responsibility begins at this stage of life. Growing up gives you a more well-rounded perspective.

What Exactly Is a Starter Home?

A starter home is a residence acquired by a first-time homebuyer. Typically, starter homes are smaller single-family homes, townhouses, or condos with less features than bigger residences. These homes are often less expensive investments for young owners who are just starting out in their professions or starting families. Homeownership may assist families in investing for the future since monthly mortgage payments build to house equity.

What to Look for in a Starter Home?

Although your first home may not be your “dream home,” it is crucial to know what to look for when acquiring a new house.

• Condition: Make sure to undergo a full house inspection before going ahead with purchasing your first home. A mortgage broker’s willingness to lend to you might be affected by an appraisal coming in lower than the sales price, therefore it’s a good idea to include a house inspection contingency in your offer.
• Economical: Finding a place that fits within your budget is the most crucial step in the process of selecting a first home. In addition to the down payment, you’ll need to put down on a house, you’ll also have to pay property taxes, closing charges, homeowners’ insurance, and maybe even the cost of making repairs or renovations. Monthly payments may include mortgage insurance, property taxes, and homeowners’ association dues for certain residences.
• Longevity: Even if you’re acquiring a starter home, you should be able to see yourself creating a life in this new location. Consider the surrounding area, school districts, and the possibility of establishing a community there. Consider the possibility that you will reside in this home for at least thirty years.

Essential Items for Your Starter Home

Whether you are moving into your first apartment or a new house, you will need some very essential things.

At the most basic level, all you really need to live well are the most essential thing. The majority of these will most likely be found in your kitchen and used for preparing meals. To maintain the order and cleanliness of the other areas of your house, you will need just a select few things.

You may always add additional items later, but for now, focus on the essentials for your starter home.

1. Furniture

You don’t have to buy every piece of furniture at once; just get what you need to get by. To sleep well, you need a bed, or at least a mattress or futon. A table and a chair or seat for each member of the household will do until you can afford a sofa, end tables, dining set, and comfy seats for the living room and bedroom. If a room lacks enough overhead lighting, floor or table lights are beneficial.

2. Kitchen Utensils

Most of what you need for your home will be in the kitchen. It is common for this to be the busiest area in the home, and in order to cook, you will want certain essential items.

You may have to spend a bit more money up front to fill your kitchen, but it will be worth it in the long run. The cost of eating out may add up quickly, but if you have the means to prepare your own meals at home, you will save money. Invest in the essential kitchen tools for a solid start. You may get an economical kit including the basics, or you can purchase simply the items you know you will need and add more as you go.

Tools like a can opener, spatulas, turners, a cheese grater, and a grater for vegetables and cheese are essential. Think of a kitchen set of measuring spoons and cups. A nice set of scissors should also be present in every kitchen.

3. Home Security

The continual fear of a security breach is a disadvantage of living alone. Therefore, it is essential to install a secure and dependable security system for your piece of mind. When you’re buying a starter home, one of the most important things you should invest in is home security.

When it comes to protecting your house, nothing beats being able to access the security features from anywhere. You may be away from home and yet be aware of what is going on around you.

4. Cleaning Supplies

When preparing for one’s first journey out on one’s own, it is easy to ignore the need for cleaning materials. A house has urgent demands for a variety of cleaning supplies, including but not limited to a broom and dustpan, mop and bucket, trash can, garbage bags, rags, sponges, duster, and cleaning solutions for floors, dishes, windows, countertops, and tabletops. Furthermore, a bathroom trash can, plunger, and toilet brush are all necessities. If you are responsible for maintaining the yard, you may also need a lawnmower, rake, hedge trimmers, pruning shears, and weeding tools. Additional items include means of storing food, such as containers with lids or zipper-seal bags, foil, or plastic wrap.

5. Small Appliances

You can always add small appliances to your house as you settle in, but there are a few that will make life easier that you should consider purchasing immediately.

A coffee maker, toaster, and microwave are three of the most popular options. Choose types that are practical for your needs and the amount of space they will take up on the counter. Drop them if you have no need for them.

If you want to make smoothies or purée your meals, a blender or food processor might be a good investment.

6. Laundry Essentials

Even if you use a laundromat, laundry is still a necessary household task. Along with soap, fabric softener, and dryer sheets, include a laundry basket and hamper on your list of home necessities.

If your clothing needs frequent ironing, you will also need an ironing board and iron.

If the majority of your clothing is casual, you may be able to skip the ironing board, but an iron may be useful. You may always use a table covered with a towel as an improvised board.

7. Home Tools

Being a homeowner means taking on the roles of plumber, electrician, and handyman, all while keeping an ear out for strange sounds and leaks. Therefore, it is important to invest in high-quality and dependable home tools in the outset so that you may avoid calling a handyman every time anything breaks down in your house.

8. Linens

When budgeting for household spending, linens are another item that may first be disregarded. Starting on day one, you are required to have bedding, which consists of sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and even the pillows themselves. Towels for the bathroom and kitchen, together with washcloths and dishcloths, are also required. If you are concerned about your privacy, using curtains or other window coverings might be helpful.

9. Glassware And Dinnerware

Regardless of how often you cook, dinnerware, silverware, and glasses are necessities for every household.

You need not spend a fortune on a high-quality, long-lasting set of dishes, bowls, and cutlery for your starter home. Numerous options exist, so choose a set that appeals to your aesthetic preferences and stays within your price range.

A simple pair of drinking glasses is a suitable starting point for the glassware. These can carry your favorite liquids, including milk, soda, and beer. Add a couple coffee cups to your cabinet so that you may enjoy a hot drink.

10. Storage Solutions

Typically, our starter homes are the smallest, and we must maximize the little space available. You can find solutions for every space in your house to keep you organized and decluttered.

Use food storage containers to keep leftovers from going to waste in the kitchen. In order to save time and effort, invest in a few inexpensive organizers to maintain order in your kitchen and bathroom drawers and cabinets.

It’s simple to let closet clutter build up over time. Get a good set of hangers and shelves or other carefully chosen storage organizers for your closets to get ahead of the problem.

Wrapping Up:

You should get accustomed to the thought of doing a lot of things on your own, including keeping the home clean, stocking the fridge, and so on, now that you have taken the initiative to prepare for or own a property. 

Exciting and draining, but well worth it in the end! We have compiled this list so that you may get an early start, maintain your motivation, and start enjoying your starter home as soon as possible.