17 things Millennials need now for their new dream home

Did you think that buying your dream home was the event of your life? It was. Now it’s time for a bit of reality. As you move in, you see all of the warts. Time to check the credit limit on your cards. You will need to reach for your wallet often in the first few weeks and months of new home ownership. This will get into things Millennials were not aware of when they signed up for their new house. Not to fear, knowledge is power.

Join the crowd. Congratulations on your purchase, it’s time to make that dream home a real dream home. Our very small list of 17 things millennials need now for their dream home is just a start. Perhaps by the time you read this entire article, your list will grow.

Most of us homeowners and yes you just joined the club, found our new houses to be lacking in some areas. The first thing you do after carrying your husband over the threshold is to discover that the carpet is a bit nasty. That has to go, who knows what’s living on someone else’s carpet? There goes a few thousand dollars for carpet and installation or forget that carpet and go with tile or plank flooring.

This article is number seven in a series specifically created to assist Millennials to improve their financial literacy. The whole series is listed at the end of this article, we encourage you to read all of them.

17 Things Millennials Need to know now for their dream home

The following are just a few items that new homeowners usually spend money on within a short time after the home is purchased:

1. Window coverings – Old blinds or curtains or drapes are among the first things to fill the trash can. Odors can build up on fabric items and blinds crack or fade. Fresh window coverings are usually a good thing to consider.
2. Toilet seats – Ok, they look like they are in good condition but coming out of COVID some people just want a new toilet seat. Don’t forget to bring toilet paper in on your first visit.
3. Door locks – You will want to change the door locks. You have no idea who has a key. Consider a new electronic lock that is keyless.
4. Shower curtain – First-time buyers generally replace old shower curtains if they were left behind or buy new ones because the seller took the old ones. This is your opportunity to decorate the bathroom.
5. Showerhead. I like the kind with the handle and the head on top. Often older houses have shower heads that have some corrosion. My wife always replaces shower heads with new ones.
6. Light bulbs – Seems like a simple thing but many older homes have old incandescent bulbs. Millennial buyers understand the energy efficiency of LED lamps and go through the house replacing those older bulbs to save power and increase light.
7. Paint that garage floor – Something people don’t think about until the garage is full. The first thing you do after carrying your spouse over the threshold is to pressure wash the garage floor. Let it dry while you replace the locks. Get good garage floor paint and seal that concrete floor. You will be glad you did down the road. Sealing the floor keeps dust from coming up.
8. Security lights – One of the main reasons for installing security lights is for your use around the house in the evening. Suggest you consider buying wifi lights with a camera and microphone. Better be safe than sorry.
9. Flooring – This is one of the most popular option items for first-time home buyers and others. The carpet has been out of style for some time and for good reason. Things can live there. You may want to replace the previous owner’s carpet with popular plank flooring or your new carpet in the bedrooms. It’s a good feeling to have new flooring and one of those good returns on investment items.
10. Paint – The best thing to refresh a house is new paint. Even if the existing paint is in good condition, a newly painted home says you all over. It’s your color and the new paint smell is great.
11. Lawn mower – If your dream home is a single-family house with a lawn, you need a lawn mower. Your outdoor space is one reason why you purchase the house and you will want it to look good. Remember the American Dream is a white picket fence around a well-mowed yard.
12. Refrigerator – This is one appliance that does not usually come with the house. Look around for one that will fit your space. Not all refrigerators come with ice makers, if your house is fitted with a faucet for an ice maker, go for it.
13. Washer – Once again, many houses do not come with a washing machine. Washers and dryers usually come in pairs, they look similar, the same color, etc.
14. Dryer – Same as a washer, an item you will probably need. If you live in an apartment get stackable.
15. Hooks – You will want to install hooks for brooms, mops, and other items you need to hang.
16. Hose – The seller probably took the hose(s). Urban areas do not need hoses but if you have a lawn you will. Don’t forget the sprayer.
17. Blower – Time to start blowing your grass clippings around. Somehow blowers have overtaken brooms. In suburban areas, members of the millennial generation and others can be seen blowing cuttings around. For some reason doing this makes the stuff go away.

You thought we were finished, ha, ha

Life has changed for you after buying your own home. It’s not about student loans and social media any longer. You must devote time to your home and make it your own. The first thing young adults do is argue about what hangs on the walls and where. You will eventually work it out. Previous generations have gone through growing pains and now it’s your turn.

Your first home will teach you some life lessons. When it’s time to lay down a stepping stone or two or 30 in the yard, you will either embrace the task or find someone to do it for you. Owing a home is a lot of work. My father taught me how to do almost everything around the house. I have saved a bundle over the years doing the work myself.

I enjoy most of the work. Working in the yard planting trees and bushes is cathartic which means that it is relaxing and gives a sense of pleasure. Many of us long-time homeowners love to spend time on our patios or decks trying to reduce our carbon footprint by embracing the outdoor un-airconditioned weather. We have spent many a late night during the spring and fall looking at the stars and sipping on an adult beverage.

Let’s take a closer look

COVID time caused many to spend more time in their yards and working on their homes. The big box fix-it stores were crowded with do-it-yourselfers trying to complete various first-time tasks. Some were even trying to install solar panels. With a little bit of effort, people learned they could do some of the work themselves.

Let’s take a closer look at what happens after you buy your new home. You will be lucky if nothing breaks or fails in the first few weeks. Sometimes, sellers, do bandaid work on problems that occur shortly after the new owners move in. Plumbing leaks are typical. Then the water heater leaks or stops working. What about that air conditioner?

If you were renting before you purchased your dream home, you have a lot to learn. Now when something requires repairs, it comes from your pocket. Before you reach for your mobile phone to call for help, check out a Youtube video and see if you can fix it. You may surprise yourself that you can go to Lowes or Home Depot or Ace, get a part and a tool then do it yourself.

You can learn how to prevent things from going wrong

In the coming years, you will learn when to have a contractor come and when to fix it yourself. What you can learn is how to prevent things from going wrong through preventative maintenance. As long as I am on that topic, let’s go over to your house now and see what must be done today.

1. Air conditioner/heater – When was it serviced? Call a contractor out for a PM. They can clean the coils and check other parts for abnormal wear. Get this one before it’s too late. Check your filters and replace them every couple of months with the cheap ones, not those big thick ones that prevent airflow. This past year was a hot one and you will want to extend the life of your unit with a good PM.
2. AC overflow – This is a key area to pay attention to. If your AC unit is in the attic, you need to get up there periodically and pour a blend of bleach into the drain tube. Last year, I had to deal with two leaks where the tenants did not pour bleach to clear the stuff that grows and clogs the drain. Water overflows the pan and drips onto the ceiling. This can create mold.
3. Water heater – How old is it? Water heaters have a life, generally about 10 years, possibly longer. Check Youtube for maintenance instructions you can do this one yourself.
4. Sinks – Check under
5. Outside faucets – Check for leaks
6. Termites – If you
7. Insect treatment –
8. Batteries – door locks, remotes, cameras
9. Drains – periodically
10. Gutters – Failure to clear gutters can harm vegetation
11. Decks and wood fixtures –
12. Outdoor light fixtures –
13. Dryer vent – clean it to the outside
14. Inspect for wasp nests and wood bees in the wood around the edge of the roof
15. Check window screens for tears.

Entropy is a concept you should get familiar with

Time for a lesson in physics. Entropy is one of the laws of thermodynamics. A short explanation is that unless you put constant energy into home maintenance your home will deteriorate. Everything deteriorates without energy being constantly applied.

Take your house. When you buy it new you will usually not notice over the years that the paint is fading and the wood may be rotting. This is something that you don’t notice because it happens slowly. One day you realize your house requires painting and wood repair. The energy you are putting towards the is to arrest the effect of entropy.

Be aware of the weather and other slow damage to your house. For example, bugs tend to flock to areas around light fixtures. When they die their bodies create an acid that eats away at metal surfaces. Clean outdoor light fixtures periodically to remove insects. This is something that few people do, they just don’t see that front porch light getting tarnished and full of bugs. Every couple of months cleans the fixtures.

Be watchful for insects

Check areas around your houses for ant nests and other insect and critter homes. You should spray around the perimeter of your house at least every month in some areas to prevent roaches, ants, spiders, and other creepy crawly things from your house. If you have a brick house with weep holes, spray inside of those. If you keep your garage door open often, be sure you check for mice. They will get in and hide under cabinets and eat anything made of paper and cardboard. Put some traps around just in case.

Every six to nine months, spray your windows and screens to clean them. The widow sills can get dirty fast and the screens accumulate dust and dirt. Use a hose with a good sprayer and clean them down. If you live in an area with rain and trees and rain gutters, you will need to keep them clean. No one likes to clean gutters but if you ignore them the water will overflow and also seep between the gutter and soffit possibly causing wood rot.

People who live in California and other fire-prone areas should cut down brush around their homes out at least 50′ and further if suggested by local fire departments. I lived in California and witnessed firsthand how many homes were burned down because the owners ignored the dry brush. What a shame, those losses could have been prevented.

Swimming pools require effort to maintain

If you buy a house with a swimming pool, you are in for a whole list of things you must do. Number one, be sure the fence and gate around the pool are secure. This will prevent children from gaining access without adults. Almost all jurisdictions require fencing around a pool. Your insurance company will require secure fencing and their inspector will recommend termination of your policy if such a fence is not there or not in good condition.

That insurance inspection

Real estate agents should warn their clients that within a short time after the house is purchased the insurance carrier will likely inspect it. Mortgage lenders require insurance to protect their investments. The most important factors they are looking for are coverage for the entire house and liability coverage. If you live in a special area e.g. flood zone, you will be required to buy flood insurance and have wind and hail coverage as part of the homeowner’s policy.

The key takeaway here is that an insurance inspector will probably visit your home. They will be looking for any safety-related issues such as mold, broken door locks, broken windows, and large cracks in the driveway (trip and fall). In addition and this is very big, they will look at the roof. If that roof is over 10 years old, they can ask you to replace it. If it is over 20 years old they can cancel your policy. One of the primary reasons insurance policies are canceled is due to roofs in poor condition.

You are probably wondering about the previous paragraph. Can they cancel my insurance policy? Absolutely. The policy is issued in haste so you can buy the house. The policy declaration page is required to close. If you took the time to read the documents you would see that the policy is subject to an inspection and final approval. You probably had high expectations that the roof could go for another few years then you get the insurance notice: Replace the roof or repair it. Another of the things that Millennials need to look at.

The roof is the big deal, particularly in areas with lots of wind and rain

In recent years insurance carriers have been staunchly enforcing their inspection requirements. I can tell you of several friends who received the dreaded letter from the insurance company their policy was canceled unless they did x, y, and z. Often these are small things but that roof, it’s a big deal. From what I have observed, a large number of homes are in this category.

You may be lucky and the insurance company does not send an inspector the first year. They often make up for lost time by sending an inspector the second year and sometimes every year after that. 

Fortunately, they call before they come and you can usually look around for things that may catch their attention and fix them before they arrive. Millennial home buyers are usually unaware that an inspection will occur after buying the house. There is no reason to panic, most items can be repaired at little cost. It will take some money and manual labor but you can overcome this issue.

Older millennials who have purchased a home before will probably recognize most things that I have laid out here. After your first home, you will be in a better position to handle the next one. And yes, based on statistics, there will be a next one. I have talked to so many people who have said that this dream house is where they will stay.

Then life happens and they move. Even members of older generations who thought in their 50s that this would be the last house. There are baby boomers who at age 60 are looking for a retirement home. 

Maintain your house to maintain the value

Make the most of your dream house. Keep one key thing in mind, maintain your house. Your dream house will become your launching pad for the future. This could mean the next house or your retirement. If you pay attention to all of the things listed above and fix things before they get worse, you will save lots of money and improve the value of your house. A good example is paint.

Paint your deck six months after it is built and repaint or stain it every three-five years thereafter. Doing this will help your deck last for decades. Ignore it and six or seven years down the road you will be replacing boards or even building a new deck. So what is less costly? This is one of those things Millennials need to pay attention to.

Home prices always go up and down over time. If the value of your dream home is declining now in the recession, don’t worry, you have a place to live with a fixed mortgage. Down the road, the real estate market will change and prices will rise. This is a very long-term trend. 

I hope that this article is helpful to you. This is one of a series of articles written specifically to assist Millennials to succeed in life. Many parents of Millennials did not have the skills to teach their children some of these life skills. Hopefully, this series of articles will help you. To get the most out of them, please click on the other articles in the series that you have not yet read (some will be posted soon if you click and are returned here, come back soon when the article will be posted):

The foundation article is: Millennials Are Buying Homes Near The Beach: Buy Yours Now

Budget Calculator and Planner: Millennials Need This Now – You need to know what these required programs mean for those putting less than 20% down. This article explains your choices and what each means to the cost of your new home.

23 easy ways Millennials can improve their credit scores: 2023 it’s time to get that credit score higher. This article goes into all things credit reports and credit scores to help you pay the lowest interest rate possible. Use our tools and learn how you can keep your score high and improve it if it’s low.

The Homeowner’s Insurance Puzzle Made Simple for Millennials 2023 You need this information to make informed decisions about your homeowner’s insurance policy. Without a policy, there is no mortgage. You can overpay for coverage that others will offer for a lower price. When should you claim for damage, theft, etc.?

Credit Cards – How to get the most out of credit cards and manage them to your benefit.

The best free mortgage costs calculator – This article explains closing costs in detail including an embedded mortgage closing costs calculator. It’s a must-read to complete your financial education.

Mortgage Insurance – You need to know what these required programs mean for those putting less than 20% down. This article explains your choices and what each means to the cost of your new home.

The best mortgage loan guide for Millennials: Start now 2023– This article goes through an actual loan application so you can learn the process and how best to complete the form.

Millennials: How to find your first house in 2023 One of our longer articles goes through the entire process from locating a real estate agent to making the offer and the many steps that happen after the offer is accepted. Read this article after you have read all of the above articles because now you will be ready for the process.

This process takes from sixty to ninety days from the time you are ready to buy until you have the key. It’s an intense period that requires your complete attention and focuses on details. It’s also the most exciting part of the process. Finding that dream home may be a fast or slow process depending on a wide variety of factors discussed in this article.

This article takes you through each detail and shows you most of the forms you will be required to sign during the process. Start working on those hand exercises, your signing hand is about to get busy.

17 Things Millennials Need to know now for their dream home

Buying your house is just the start. Before you move in, there are things to do. After you move there are more things to do. This article will save you time and grief by understanding what to do before you place that first item of furniture. If you have never owned a home before, we let you in on some secrets.

Need more assistance, contact us

Logan-Anderson Gulf Coastal Realtors is here to help you. If you are eventually looking for an affordable house in an affordable market, please go to our leading site LoganAndersonLLC.com where you can look at homes for sale. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is one of the most affordable home markets in the country. Read more about the area at RetireCoast.com

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