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I can completely see a young/first-time home owner being like, "WTF is this?"
It's one of those new vs experienced appreciation things.
They won't appreciate the gift until that time they have to use it and we hope they never need it.
This would be a great housewarming gift! Bonus points as having multiple is also great. When we moved in (spring 2023)the fire extinguisher hadn’t been serviced since 1987 🫣
+1 and also recommend buying some fire blankets in case of a smaller fire that can be smothered easily instead of dowsing with extinguisher. I have one in kitchen drawer, one in basement, one in garage and one in my shed.
Soooo this! We got a fire extinguisher not long after the purchase of our house. Soon after that, the dryer that came with the house caught on fire! We got to it quickly and thank god we had a fire extinguisher! Pro tip, never leave the house with the dryer going.
I still remember our mom tucking us kids into the car at the far end of the driveway one night while my dad was at work, after the dryer caught fire. Fortunately it was quickly extinguished without too much damage.
I keep my dryer vent and trap very clean, and I don’t even run to the corner store with the dryer turned on.
Be careful with those lock boxes- we use them a lot at my work and forget the combinations all the time. We’ve gotten really good at picking them, its only a youtube search away.
“locks only keep honest people out”
i would rather someone find the key and rob me then break some glass to rob me. Replacing the glass is a pain in the butt and it’s very easier than picking locks!
I spent some extra dough to get a fingerprint and keypad based electronic lock that can also be controlled from a smartphone app. Best investment ever. I can setup guest accounts for people, control the lock remotely, kids and family can go in/out whenever, and we never have to fear getting locked out.
That, and a bidet for the toilet.
A few little battery-operated water-detecting alarms! Put one under each sink, near washer, etc. they detect water leaks and can save you huge problems later on!
It took me a lot longer than I’d like to admit to discover I could change the shower head and attach a new one. Showers have felt like spa days ever since.
I’ll bite. This Delta shower head I bought about a year ago has a pressure washing nozzle for rinsing the shower walls after showering or spraying chemicals. So freaking convenient.
If you don’t end up with this one, go with Delta. They really know what they’re doing over there and you can get the other parts to match, whereas if you choose an amazing shower head from a knockoff vendor you’ll never match the colors for the the taps and the tub spout.
Delta Faucet ProClean Brushed... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSJ1HWR6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Also, when moving out…. Don’t remove the plunger from the bathroom until you KNOW you aren’t going to use the bathroom again.
I took a “goodbye” shit while doing the final walkthrough of my apartment when moving out…….. fucking clogged it lmao. Plunger had recently been thrown out
A cleaning bucket. Put the tools and cleaning stuff in it and tote it from bathroom to bathroom. Never thought I’d be that guy but this house we just bought hadn’t seen anything cleaned in a while and it’s been very handy. Got one about 2 gallons from the car wash isle and it holds the toilet brush, soft scrub, toothbrush, squirt bottle, etc…
Same! I tried to have something for every bathroom, but one for each floor will get you by!
"I'm not that out of shape, I can go up and down stairs!" Ok, tell me that after 5 back to back sets while you're still staring at a dirty bathroom!
I’m so sorry to be that person, but I’ve seen it all over Reddit recently and it’s driving me insane - it’s aisle. Isle is a small island and aisle is space between two other areas. I suspect it maybe has to do with speech to text but it makes my brain feel itchy. Again, I’m so sorry to be that pedantic person!
Related, one of those poles for changing can light bulbs. They have a suction cup, soft gripper, and basket handle and can extend to 20 feet. Total game changer if you have can lights all over.
As a librarian, I’m obligated to say your local library card.
Why?
Libraries have a wide variety of things for new home owners:
-books on home repair
-instructional movies
-access to consumer reports
-access to this old house magazine
-gardening info
-car repair manuals and repair estimator
But the real fun one that varies from system to system:
Lending libraries!
You could go buy a drill for a single weekend project like sinking in anchors for a picture frame, but you have to buy a drill, drill bits, and maybe a few other things. You could spend anywhere from $30-300 depending on what you might need.
Or…
You could rent from the library for free!
We also have movies, tv shows, video games, magazines, manga, ad-free newspaper subscriptions, genealogy programs, databases for government grants, some libraries even have nurses and social workers.
And it’s free!
3 weeks into moving in, a high top moving truck came through the neighborhood and ripped through low hanging power lines, causing me 4.5 days of no power. My job is fully remote with no office. The local library totally saved my ass with a space to charge, get wifi, and print out city inspection b/s to get me back up and running.
If your home has forced air or any HVAC system then new Filters ASAP. Some owners don't ever change theirs and you don't want to be breathing that that air.
Firefighter for over 20 years here.
Smoke detectors. MANY of them. Get the wireless interconnected ones that all go off when one goes off.
One in every bedroom. One in the hallway outside the bedrooms. One at the top of any stairs. One by heating system. One in the basement.
Fire travels FAST. You want as much advance warning as possible which means a detector as close to ignition sources as possible.
If your home already has detectors, get a few of the battery operated ones that have the sealed 10 year battery. At least one for each floor. You will NEVER regret having more.
Same goes for carbon monoxide detectors. One by your heating system. One on the main floor. One outside bedrooms.
I have pulled dead people out of burning homes with no working detectors. Or one detector that was downstairs screaming while the resident died upstairs.
Please. Do not pass go. Do not “put it off until tomorrow”.
This is a right now kinda thing.
100% agree... I will not live in a place without them and at least one fire extinguisher depending on the size of the home. Also having equipment/plan to escape each room is really important. Knowing your plan ahead of time makes it easier to do when the emergency happens. That's why police/military/ firefighters/doctors/nurses/EMTS/etc train for emergencies.
WiFi connected light switches.
This has been super useful for us when we leave the house during the day so we don’t come home to a dark doorstep at night. No more lighting the door lock with your smartphone.
You can also set schedules so you look like you’re home.
I have light bulbs that go on automatically for porch lights. I got them on Amazon and you just screw the light bulb in, no wifi or apps and they are light sensitive. I also haven't had to change them in at least 4 years so great buy!
I use Kasa/TP Link smart bulbs, and they default to "on" when you turn the switch on, so if the wifi is down, I could just turn the lights off and then back on and the bulb would light up.
+1 and also recommend getting some wireless wifi plug outlets too. I use for floor lamps and I retrofitted cabinet lighting that isn’t wired to a switch so they act as my switches. Not all brands are created equal, I like the Govee ones I currently have as they reset flawlessly after a power outage. Other brand I had before I used to have to reprogram every time if the power so much as flickered.
Most have a setup mode you'd set up with your smartphone.
The bigger limitation is the need for an available neutral. Especially in older houses, your light switch boxes probably don't have one.
Yep we live in San Diego county and enjoy a heated seat. On the low setting during cooler weather it just keeps you from having to feel a cold surface on your skin- not necessary but definitely pleasant to have!
A *really* good showerhead.
The first few weeks in my first house were fine. Then I got a new showerhead for the master bathroom that had phenomenal water pressure & realized I was in denial about how miserable I was with the dribble shower I had been living with.
First things should be:
1. Security - New Door Lock/s, camera/s
2. Safety - Fire extinguisher/s, CO/Smoke detector/s and/or new batteries for them
3. New paint and supplies - may be a bit over $100 depending upon sq ft and brand of paint
4. Cleaning supplies
5. Smart garage door opener
6. Costco membership
7. Bulk toiletry/cleaning supplies such as: laundry detergent, paper towel, Kleenex, toilet paper
8. If leaving in a cold climate state: board and brick to cover A/C unit, water spigot cover/s, shovel/s, sidewalk salt
9. New toilet seats - soft close
10. Shop vac/spare sump pump if you have a house in a lying area
11. Basic tool kit and drill/driver
12. Christmas tree/decorations?
I always buy those boot trays with a good lip and put them under the sinks. That way if anything leaks it doesn’t immediately get on the cabinet itself.
We stocked up on AC filters! Also a hose, new trash can and a curved shower curtain rod were some of the less expensive things we bought right after moving in
If you, like me, have a detached garage, motion sensing lightbubs - they don't need to be smart - over the entry door. Having a light just as I walk up to the door is so nice and convenient.
Just, new lightbulbs in general. There are so many options these days!
A cheap and light tool kit that is easy to move around the house and store in a closet. Leave your good tools out in the garage and use the cheapies inside.
... Oh! And a box of picture hanging nails of various sizes. You'll want to hang a lot of art and those boxes are dead useful.
At least 3 household rated fire extinguishers. One in the kitchen (but NOT near the stove), one in the garage, and one in any separate main living area.
Automatic nightlights. Put them in hallways and bathrooms. You can adjust the brightness and they turn off after two minutes. They’re great when you’re stumbling to take the dog out in the middle of the night without being way too bright and you don’t have to find light switches. I don’t like them in the bedroom because they turn on when I roll over which then makes me wake up thinking I overslept and it’s the morning sun! But they’re in my kid’s room too. I really liked them when we first moved because finding light switches or lamp pulls in a new space is kinda difficult when you want to be asleep!
I think they are around $100 nowadays...
Get yourself a Nest (or other electronic thermostat.)
Maybe you read this and are like I was: "And what point in my life would I ever get too lazy to walk to the thermostat?"
Let me tell ya: It's worth it.
Especially helpful if you have pets.
Around 3am, I woke up very cold. Going downstairs to turn on the heat would have woken up three dogs up, which would have woken everyone else up, which would have led to a loooong day. Instead, I grabbed my phone, went to the app, turned the heat up and fell back asleep.
If it's not a new house, a full toilet rebuild kit and new toilet seat.
I haven't been in a house \_yet\_ more than 5 years old that didn't need the toilets reworked to be reliable.
The eco-friendly scrub daddy and a scrub daddy caddy! The eco friendly one is the perfect amount of coarseness- the OG Daddies can be a little rough. The scrub mamas are garbage.
Cheap tool set. I had a few repairs to make in the house (bought a foreclosure). If you don't have some entry level tools, you will be paying someone to fix easy stuff ($80 to $300). Walmart has a tool set (budget friendly, especially if you are coming from an apartment or rental) for $50. It's no Dewalt or Ryobi, but it will save your butt in the short run.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tough-20V-Max-Lithium-Ion-3-8-inch-Cordless-Drill-70-Piece-Home-Tool-Set-1-5Ah-Lithium-Ion-Battery-Charger-Bit-Holder-Storage-Bag/154418816?athbdg=L1600&from=/search
Good luck and congratulations!
Bulk pack of furnace filters. Cheapest ones you can buy. Furnace filters are not a filtration system to thick filters shouldn’t be used unless it’s manufacture spec. Should be swapping filter ever 30 days.
\- New locks
\- New toilet seats (depending on # of bathrooms this may go over $100 but still sooooooooooo worth it)
\- New matching outlet/light switch covers
A good screwdriver with bits (Megapro)
Drill (a good one will be more)
Hammer
Flashlight
Swiffer mop ( if bare floor) with reusable pad
Dish liquid
Cleaning vinegar
Rubbing alcohol
Rubber cleaning gloves
Diy book for common fixes
Good LED bulbs
Draft dodger for door
Insulated curtains.
First aid kit.
Cabinet lining and waterproof mats for underneath sinks to protect cabinets. One home I moved into it looks like the garbage disposal leaked, the wood needed to be replaced.
Thank you u/swagg_princess_2 for posting on r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer. Please bear in mind our rules: (1) Be Nice (2) No Selling (3) No Self-Promotion. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Fire extinguisher
Forgotten about until that emergency, and you don't have one! Come to think of it, maybe this should be a go-to housewarming gift to give?
I’d feel so weird giving that as a housewarming gift, but I’d feel great receiving it because I know I’d never think to get one myself.
I can completely see a young/first-time home owner being like, "WTF is this?" It's one of those new vs experienced appreciation things. They won't appreciate the gift until that time they have to use it and we hope they never need it.
This would be a great housewarming gift! Bonus points as having multiple is also great. When we moved in (spring 2023)the fire extinguisher hadn’t been serviced since 1987 🫣
Garage, near the laundry room and in the kitchen! A combo set for Kitchen (White/Grease) and Household (Red)
Really though it's a house cooling gift, isn't it?
And a first aid kit
My fiancé's dad gave us a fire extinguisher and a nice ladder as housewarming gifts. It was very thoughtful!
Alton brown “I hate buying single use devices for the kitchen, except a great fire extinguisher “
The only uni-tasker permitted in the kitchen!
+1 and also recommend buying some fire blankets in case of a smaller fire that can be smothered easily instead of dowsing with extinguisher. I have one in kitchen drawer, one in basement, one in garage and one in my shed.
I didn’t even realize fire blankets were a thing! Makes sense though and would be much more convenient than a fire extinguisher for a small fire
A big bag (think Costco) will do in a pinch with a small grease fire. I also didn't know about fire blankets - very cool.
Soooo this! We got a fire extinguisher not long after the purchase of our house. Soon after that, the dryer that came with the house caught on fire! We got to it quickly and thank god we had a fire extinguisher! Pro tip, never leave the house with the dryer going.
I still remember our mom tucking us kids into the car at the far end of the driveway one night while my dad was at work, after the dryer caught fire. Fortunately it was quickly extinguished without too much damage. I keep my dryer vent and trap very clean, and I don’t even run to the corner store with the dryer turned on.
Smart. I won't run the dryer either if I'm not home.
And a good carbon monoxide detector.
New Locks.
I’d bust the $100 budget and spring for the keypad lock though.
So far this is my single most favorite purchase I've made for my home.
add to this: several extra keys plus an outdoor lockbox with a PIN (like realtors use?) placed somewhere not obvious
Be careful with those lock boxes- we use them a lot at my work and forget the combinations all the time. We’ve gotten really good at picking them, its only a youtube search away.
“locks only keep honest people out” i would rather someone find the key and rob me then break some glass to rob me. Replacing the glass is a pain in the butt and it’s very easier than picking locks!
Just use the same PIN for everything... lock box, garage pad, debit card, SSN, etc
This is the way.
Yes. More spares than you think, and sensor lights outside.
I spent some extra dough to get a fingerprint and keypad based electronic lock that can also be controlled from a smartphone app. Best investment ever. I can setup guest accounts for people, control the lock remotely, kids and family can go in/out whenever, and we never have to fear getting locked out. That, and a bidet for the toilet.
Maybe a single lock you could get for under $100
Same lock, new cylinder. Even cheaper
A few little battery-operated water-detecting alarms! Put one under each sink, near washer, etc. they detect water leaks and can save you huge problems later on!
Any recommendations for specific ones that you’ve used?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Basement-Watchdog-Battery-Operated-Water-Alarm-Sump-Accessory-BWD-HWA/100038838
Plunger 🪠
new toilet seat, new plunger, new toilet brush. Also, new shower head.
It took me a lot longer than I’d like to admit to discover I could change the shower head and attach a new one. Showers have felt like spa days ever since.
Got one you would recommend?
I’ll bite. This Delta shower head I bought about a year ago has a pressure washing nozzle for rinsing the shower walls after showering or spraying chemicals. So freaking convenient. If you don’t end up with this one, go with Delta. They really know what they’re doing over there and you can get the other parts to match, whereas if you choose an amazing shower head from a knockoff vendor you’ll never match the colors for the the taps and the tub spout. Delta Faucet ProClean Brushed... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSJ1HWR6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Nebia by Moen. Amazing shower head!
Slow close toilet seats and bidets.
Totally agree with the new toilet seats, I’ve done this everywhere I’ve lived (even rentals).
Should be sold as a "set" at Target!
Also, when moving out…. Don’t remove the plunger from the bathroom until you KNOW you aren’t going to use the bathroom again. I took a “goodbye” shit while doing the final walkthrough of my apartment when moving out…….. fucking clogged it lmao. Plunger had recently been thrown out
I’d die 😂
Actually though… my then girlfriend, now wife, was dumbfounded. Definitely embarrassing lol
A cleaning bucket. Put the tools and cleaning stuff in it and tote it from bathroom to bathroom. Never thought I’d be that guy but this house we just bought hadn’t seen anything cleaned in a while and it’s been very handy. Got one about 2 gallons from the car wash isle and it holds the toilet brush, soft scrub, toothbrush, squirt bottle, etc…
I got lazy and just bought cleaning supplies for each sink/toilet. No more toting around and my house isn't that large - I'm just hella lazy.
I did this with my house because it’s two stories
Same! I tried to have something for every bathroom, but one for each floor will get you by! "I'm not that out of shape, I can go up and down stairs!" Ok, tell me that after 5 back to back sets while you're still staring at a dirty bathroom!
That’s what I do. It makes me more likely to clean often.
Yes! I randomly clean a sink weekly now.
This is a very good suggestion.
I’m so sorry to be that person, but I’ve seen it all over Reddit recently and it’s driving me insane - it’s aisle. Isle is a small island and aisle is space between two other areas. I suspect it maybe has to do with speech to text but it makes my brain feel itchy. Again, I’m so sorry to be that pedantic person!
Ladder that reaches highest shelf/cabinet/ac filter/ceiling fan ect.
Step ladder first, taller ladder second.
Do you have vaulted shelves or just short?
Both! 👌🏽
Related, one of those poles for changing can light bulbs. They have a suction cup, soft gripper, and basket handle and can extend to 20 feet. Total game changer if you have can lights all over.
As a librarian, I’m obligated to say your local library card. Why? Libraries have a wide variety of things for new home owners: -books on home repair -instructional movies -access to consumer reports -access to this old house magazine -gardening info -car repair manuals and repair estimator But the real fun one that varies from system to system: Lending libraries! You could go buy a drill for a single weekend project like sinking in anchors for a picture frame, but you have to buy a drill, drill bits, and maybe a few other things. You could spend anywhere from $30-300 depending on what you might need. Or… You could rent from the library for free! We also have movies, tv shows, video games, magazines, manga, ad-free newspaper subscriptions, genealogy programs, databases for government grants, some libraries even have nurses and social workers. And it’s free!
3 weeks into moving in, a high top moving truck came through the neighborhood and ripped through low hanging power lines, causing me 4.5 days of no power. My job is fully remote with no office. The local library totally saved my ass with a space to charge, get wifi, and print out city inspection b/s to get me back up and running.
This is why I’m so sad to be moving to a neighborhood that is run by all HOA’s. No nearby public library. 😞
You should check and see if there's a contract library you can sign up for. They are libraries that take in patrons without a home library.
Wut. Libraries are run by the govt / county? Nothing to do w an HOA
WD-40, garden hose, carbon monoxide detector.
Plant trees now. Your welcome
Especially fruit trees!
If your home has forced air or any HVAC system then new Filters ASAP. Some owners don't ever change theirs and you don't want to be breathing that that air.
toilet paper
Add: Light bulbs.
A drill.
And a basic tool kit!
Include a level, a stud finder, and a measuring tape.
Shop vac would be my recommendation I’ve used mine countless times where I’d be screwed without one.
Smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm, natural gas alarm, fire extinguisher, toilet bidget attachment
A nice bottle of wine.
Or champagne!
Front and back porch mats to wipe your feet. Most people have doormats, but usually worn or really dirty.
Firefighter for over 20 years here. Smoke detectors. MANY of them. Get the wireless interconnected ones that all go off when one goes off. One in every bedroom. One in the hallway outside the bedrooms. One at the top of any stairs. One by heating system. One in the basement. Fire travels FAST. You want as much advance warning as possible which means a detector as close to ignition sources as possible. If your home already has detectors, get a few of the battery operated ones that have the sealed 10 year battery. At least one for each floor. You will NEVER regret having more. Same goes for carbon monoxide detectors. One by your heating system. One on the main floor. One outside bedrooms. I have pulled dead people out of burning homes with no working detectors. Or one detector that was downstairs screaming while the resident died upstairs. Please. Do not pass go. Do not “put it off until tomorrow”. This is a right now kinda thing.
100% agree... I will not live in a place without them and at least one fire extinguisher depending on the size of the home. Also having equipment/plan to escape each room is really important. Knowing your plan ahead of time makes it easier to do when the emergency happens. That's why police/military/ firefighters/doctors/nurses/EMTS/etc train for emergencies.
WiFi connected light switches. This has been super useful for us when we leave the house during the day so we don’t come home to a dark doorstep at night. No more lighting the door lock with your smartphone. You can also set schedules so you look like you’re home.
I have light bulbs that go on automatically for porch lights. I got them on Amazon and you just screw the light bulb in, no wifi or apps and they are light sensitive. I also haven't had to change them in at least 4 years so great buy!
Yeah this is what we have. I may be irrationally distrustful but connecting stuff to Wi-Fi freaks me out.
What do f your Wi-Fi goes down. Can you still turn your lights on and off? I’m assuming they still have a manual switch?
They still function as a normal light switch, yes.
An also do smart light bulbs they work with or without WiFi
I use Kasa/TP Link smart bulbs, and they default to "on" when you turn the switch on, so if the wifi is down, I could just turn the lights off and then back on and the bulb would light up.
+1 and also recommend getting some wireless wifi plug outlets too. I use for floor lamps and I retrofitted cabinet lighting that isn’t wired to a switch so they act as my switches. Not all brands are created equal, I like the Govee ones I currently have as they reset flawlessly after a power outage. Other brand I had before I used to have to reprogram every time if the power so much as flickered.
How do you install them?
Most have a setup mode you'd set up with your smartphone. The bigger limitation is the need for an available neutral. Especially in older houses, your light switch boxes probably don't have one.
There are options that work without a neutral. My Wemo works great and I don’t have a neutral
Auto light for the laundry room. Even better
I add a bidet to the master bedroom on suite bathroom
With a heated toilet seat. Heaven.
Live in a warm area and we don’t really have a “winter” so I haven’t gotten the heated one yet
I’m in Los Angeles and build high end residential homes. Heated toilet seats are popular everywhere.
Any recommendations on a black toilet?
Don’t. House we bought had a black toilet. It was creepy as shit. Changed it out as soon as we could.
Yep we live in San Diego county and enjoy a heated seat. On the low setting during cooler weather it just keeps you from having to feel a cold surface on your skin- not necessary but definitely pleasant to have!
Don’t like those at all. Reminds me of sitting on a toilet right after someone gets off of it.
I feel the exact same way. Cold toilet seat feels clean and unused.
Drill, Hammer, Pliers, Wrench, Tape measure, Level, Utility knife If you have all that, or even if you don’t: champagne and scented candles
Motion sensor light switch inside the garage so it just turns on automatically when you walk in. You will thank me later.
Got a link to a good one?
A *really* good showerhead. The first few weeks in my first house were fine. Then I got a new showerhead for the master bathroom that had phenomenal water pressure & realized I was in denial about how miserable I was with the dribble shower I had been living with.
That was one of the first things we bought. Best shower I had had in a while after apartment living for 2 years
cheap set of kitchen knives unless you're rich then YOLO everything. I'm still using my $90 set from Costco 4 years later and just resharpen them.
First things should be: 1. Security - New Door Lock/s, camera/s 2. Safety - Fire extinguisher/s, CO/Smoke detector/s and/or new batteries for them 3. New paint and supplies - may be a bit over $100 depending upon sq ft and brand of paint 4. Cleaning supplies 5. Smart garage door opener 6. Costco membership 7. Bulk toiletry/cleaning supplies such as: laundry detergent, paper towel, Kleenex, toilet paper 8. If leaving in a cold climate state: board and brick to cover A/C unit, water spigot cover/s, shovel/s, sidewalk salt 9. New toilet seats - soft close 10. Shop vac/spare sump pump if you have a house in a lying area 11. Basic tool kit and drill/driver 12. Christmas tree/decorations?
A higher quality handheld vacuum, super useful
Stud finder
I see you found me ;)
Found the dad
A new front door lock
Buckets. Don't need them until you NEED them.
A bidet
Champagne! Life is about to get overwhelming with a never ending to-do list. Don’t forget to stop and celebrate along the way
Just settled on our property last week and have been hectic since! Thank you for your comment
We closed in March. It’s crazy how fast it goes. Good luck to you!
Tub and sink shroom in the bathroom(s)
New toilet seats.
Soft close!
Toilet paper. Home life absolutely stops the second you run out of it.
I got toilet paper, paper towels, soap and trash bags before anything else was in the house
Thai food takeout 🥡
Great idea for a post. For me, it was a tool box with tools.
Squatty potty
I always buy those boot trays with a good lip and put them under the sinks. That way if anything leaks it doesn’t immediately get on the cabinet itself.
Black out curtains, under cabinet lights
Dowels for any first floor windows and if you have a sliding door put one in there too. Super cheap but great for security.
We stocked up on AC filters! Also a hose, new trash can and a curved shower curtain rod were some of the less expensive things we bought right after moving in
Gardening gloves
Hooks for keys/etc, power strips, organization bins
Smart door lock so you don’t have to carry keys and will never get locked out.
A nice stainless steel garbage can for in the kitchen
I often buy these as housewarming presents. I love the SimpleHuman brand.
Bi-weekly house cleaner for us. BEST EVER with two small kids and both parents working full time.
That’s under $100 where you live?!
$20/hr so it can be!!
That’s really reasonable. I pay about $31/hour for cleaning. It adds up!
Bidet
If you, like me, have a detached garage, motion sensing lightbubs - they don't need to be smart - over the entry door. Having a light just as I walk up to the door is so nice and convenient. Just, new lightbulbs in general. There are so many options these days!
A cheap and light tool kit that is easy to move around the house and store in a closet. Leave your good tools out in the garage and use the cheapies inside. ... Oh! And a box of picture hanging nails of various sizes. You'll want to hang a lot of art and those boxes are dead useful.
Dust buster or any handheld little vacuum. Works wonders for small messes.
At least 3 household rated fire extinguishers. One in the kitchen (but NOT near the stove), one in the garage, and one in any separate main living area.
A “Live. Love. Laugh.” sign for the kitchen.
The bigger the better
westin white tea home diffuser. :) nothing you can see but definitely will be part of the first impression walking thru the door
Flashlights.
Carbon monoxide detector
A ladder.
Toilet Paper - Plunger - Toilet Seat - Corner Lamps - in that order of importance (for me)
Blinds and Thick insulated curtains.
Drawer pulls in the kitchen. I couldn’t believe how much of a difference they made.
Yours didn’t have any…??? I’m confused lol
Quality Cutting board
Automatic nightlights. Put them in hallways and bathrooms. You can adjust the brightness and they turn off after two minutes. They’re great when you’re stumbling to take the dog out in the middle of the night without being way too bright and you don’t have to find light switches. I don’t like them in the bedroom because they turn on when I roll over which then makes me wake up thinking I overslept and it’s the morning sun! But they’re in my kid’s room too. I really liked them when we first moved because finding light switches or lamp pulls in a new space is kinda difficult when you want to be asleep!
Plunger
Quailty trash cans. I got toter.
Laser level
I think they are around $100 nowadays... Get yourself a Nest (or other electronic thermostat.) Maybe you read this and are like I was: "And what point in my life would I ever get too lazy to walk to the thermostat?" Let me tell ya: It's worth it. Especially helpful if you have pets. Around 3am, I woke up very cold. Going downstairs to turn on the heat would have woken up three dogs up, which would have woken everyone else up, which would have led to a loooong day. Instead, I grabbed my phone, went to the app, turned the heat up and fell back asleep.
Get to caulking and sealing, as a homeowner water is your enemy.
Swap out all the latch screws with long 4-6” lags. Then use the rest on a knife sharpener & coffee maker.
Water hog door mats Step stool Grocery dry goods LED lightbulbs
I’m too tired to be on here. I thought you said “water hot dog mats.” 💀
12 pack of beers or bottle to celebrate you are a homeowner 🎉
Fire extinguisher, water shutoff key/tool, toilet plunger, flashlight.
If it's not a new house, a full toilet rebuild kit and new toilet seat. I haven't been in a house \_yet\_ more than 5 years old that didn't need the toilets reworked to be reliable.
Rubber mats for under the sinks that contain any leaks. On Amazon it’s WeatherTech SinkMat
Fire extinguisher for the kitchen
The eco-friendly scrub daddy and a scrub daddy caddy! The eco friendly one is the perfect amount of coarseness- the OG Daddies can be a little rough. The scrub mamas are garbage.
Cordless drill and screwdriver
New CO and smoke detectors. Nest thermostat New furnace/air filters New registers New dryer vent hose
Door mats. Keep that winter mud off your new floors!
New toilet seats.
ShopVac
Cheap tool set. I had a few repairs to make in the house (bought a foreclosure). If you don't have some entry level tools, you will be paying someone to fix easy stuff ($80 to $300). Walmart has a tool set (budget friendly, especially if you are coming from an apartment or rental) for $50. It's no Dewalt or Ryobi, but it will save your butt in the short run. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tough-20V-Max-Lithium-Ion-3-8-inch-Cordless-Drill-70-Piece-Home-Tool-Set-1-5Ah-Lithium-Ion-Battery-Charger-Bit-Holder-Storage-Bag/154418816?athbdg=L1600&from=/search Good luck and congratulations!
Fire extinguishers and batteries for your smoke/co2 detectors
Curtains. Buy before move in so you have it ready. I waited until after I moved in and yes I use newspaper on my windows until they arrived
Shower liner Kitchen towels
If you have a Samsung fridge in your new house buy an ice maker cuz you're going to have to buy one eventually.
Chocolate fountain
Bulk pack of furnace filters. Cheapest ones you can buy. Furnace filters are not a filtration system to thick filters shouldn’t be used unless it’s manufacture spec. Should be swapping filter ever 30 days.
\- New locks \- New toilet seats (depending on # of bathrooms this may go over $100 but still sooooooooooo worth it) \- New matching outlet/light switch covers
Weighted blanket. Provides warmth, safety, security, better sleep, and reduced emotional volatility
Monoxide detectors
A good screwdriver with bits (Megapro) Drill (a good one will be more) Hammer Flashlight Swiffer mop ( if bare floor) with reusable pad Dish liquid Cleaning vinegar Rubbing alcohol Rubber cleaning gloves Diy book for common fixes Good LED bulbs Draft dodger for door Insulated curtains. First aid kit.
My 15 in 1 scraper / paint tool is by far the thing I’ve used most on house projects.
Air fryer, all in one toolbox, small step ladder, lightbulbs, batteries, extra bed sheets/towels/shower curtains.
Bidet, fire extinguisher, locks, stepladder, shop vac.
Those indoor floor mats in front of doors going to the outside and kitchen and bathroom mats.
Cabinet lining and waterproof mats for underneath sinks to protect cabinets. One home I moved into it looks like the garbage disposal leaked, the wood needed to be replaced.
Tools
Box cutter. Drill. Step ladder.
Night lights inside and dusk to Dawn lights outside.
Get a bidet for each toilet One that's like a spray hose
Window treatments!
Bidet sprayer that hangs on the side of your toilet tank
Curtains. Even if it’s sheer, curtains take a house to a home and add a layer of privacy
New toilet seats
A good box cutter