Moving & Settling-In Costs Can Add Up for First-Time Home Buyer

Moving and settling-in costs can escalate if you are not careful at the onset.  If you are moving yourself, there are many options out there for you, evaluate which is best for your circumstances. Distance and the amount of personal items you own will dictate the best option for you. There are ways to save yourself money. If you have a moving company move you, make sure to get competitive bids and evaluate them as best you can. You can also pack it yourself and use a portable storage device that will move to your location.  You can also do everything yourself and rent a truck and pack and move.  If you are just starting out, the later may be best for you.  However, if you are combining households and/or have a lot of stuff, you may have someone do the heavy work for you.  Either way, set a budget and work within it.  In the stress of a move, it is easy to spend if you do not set up limits ahead of time.

Settling-in costs are another expense that will sneak up on you if you are not careful and budget for it.  These may include but are not limited to carpet cleaning, painting, window treatments, appliances, landscaping, restocking a kitchen, furniture, insurance and utilities. When you are looking at homes to buy, keep these settling costs in mind.  Take a notebook with you and write these possible costs down.  It will help you plan and decide on which home will be the most cost effective for your budget.  It may also give you some negotiating power depending on the market in which you live.  If you are planning to buy a new-build, some builders will throw in incentive packages that will help to alleviate some costs like landscaping.

In any event, it is so important to do your research ahead of time. Set a budget and prepare yourself.  The more prepared and informed you are, the less likely you are to lose money.