Owning Your First Home: Lessons from Our First Year
Buying your first home is an exhilarating experience, but it comes with a steep learning curve. As first-generation immigrants and first-time homebuyers, my husband Tijani and I have gathered a wealth of knowledge in our first year of owning a new build home. Here, we share our journey, the lessons we've learned, and tips that could help you on your path to homeownership.
One of the first challenges we faced was maintaining our new home's exterior. While our house came with a fenced yard, we quickly realized that landscaping was a task we had to take on ourselves. Tijani took the lead, researching and purchasing the necessary tools like a lawnmower, leaf blower, and hedge trimmer. His dedication to learning how to care for our lawn and garden saved us from the recurring costs of hiring a landscaping service.
Inside the home, I took charge of maintaining cleanliness and aesthetics. Growing up in a Latino household, I was used to manual cleaning methods and rarely used appliances like dishwashers. Transitioning to using modern appliances required some learning. Thanks to YouTube University, I mastered the art of loading and maintaining our dishwasher and even discovered the best products for cleaning our granite countertops and wood floors.
Another significant aspect of homeownership is understanding and managing home insurance. We learned that homeowner's insurance is more comprehensive and expensive than renter's insurance. It covers not just our belongings but also the structure of our home. Shopping around for the best insurance rates and bundling it with our car insurance helped us save money.
Living in an HOA community also introduced us to new responsibilities. Our HOA fees contribute to maintaining community amenities like pools, parks, and gyms. While some neighbors had complaints, we found the HOA's role in maintaining community standards beneficial.
Financial preparedness is crucial for homeownership. We were advised to have a robust emergency fund to cover unexpected repairs. Fortunately, our new build home came with warranties that covered major appliances and structural issues. However, having an emergency fund gave us peace of mind.
Lastly, understanding the importance of utility transfers was a lesson learned the hard way by one of our neighbors. Ensuring all utilities are promptly transferred to your name after closing on a home is essential to avoid disruptions.
In conclusion, our first year of homeownership has been a journey of learning and growth. From DIY landscaping to navigating HOA rules and managing finances, we've gained invaluable experience. We hope our insights can help other first-generation immigrants and first-time homebuyers on their journey to owning a home. Listen to our latest podcast episode for a deeper dive into our experiences and tips. Listen to the full episode on Apple and Spotify podcasts or your favorite podcast platforms.
