Buying your first home is an exciting time in your life. You are officially entering the housing market, you can make all the changes you like and you can finally call a home your home. However, buying a home and moving in are very different steps. If you have just bought your first home and aren’t sure what comes next, then consider these tips for what you’ll need next.

Getting settled

Whether the hammer came down on the rolled up listing at auction or you have just picked up the keys from the estate agent, it’s time to move in. First things first, you’ll need to find yourself movers in Melbourne. Let the experts take care of the heavy lifting. Moving house is never as fun as when you are moving into your first home. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get a little help along the way. Movers are experts and they will have your belongings with you a lot sooner and with a lot less hassle. Not to mention, they can even pack up your old house for you for a little extra cost.

Do an audit

This doesn’t mean a financial audit and understanding your mortgage, although that is important. No, this refers to doing an audit of your belongings. Think about each room in your new home and any gaps you might have in furniture, appliances, artwork etc.

Once you’ve completed the audit and know what you are missing, start the shopping process. Look online for bargains, specials and other deals for those items. The last thing you want is to move into your first home and two of the rooms are empty for the first few months. It also doesn’t hurt that this is one of the more enjoyable tasks to complete after buying your first home.

Budget

It isn’t possible to talk about buying your first home without talking about a budget. There will be new bills and old bills still coming your way. Prepare yourself for the best possible start by preparing a detailed budget of your new incomings and outgoings. Remember items like mortgage repayments, rates and even new council charges.

Now that you own that patch of land in which you reside, there are new and unique ways for you to contribute to a brighter economic community. Carefully plan out your new budget and look for ways to scrimp and save wherever possible.

Get protection

If you are like most renters, then before buying your first home you have probably never considered insurance. Now, that home you live in is yours and yours to protect. Shop around and get yourself some quotes on building insurance as well as contents insurance.

In the unlikely event that something should happen to your first home, you want the piece of mind to know it is protected and you can always rebuild. Contents insurance is something we should all have, even if you don’t own your home. But when you buy your first home, complete the audit and buy a bunch on new furniture, it is worth protecting it. Do an assessment of the worth and insure it immediately.

Buying your first home is incredibly exciting and confusing all at the same time. From contracts to fees, it is easy to get lost. There are a few important items to check off the list after you have bought your first home, from insurances and budgeting, through to purchasing some additional furniture. Some tasks are more fun than others, but all of them are important. If you have just bought your first home then consider these tips as a guide for what to do next.