The 36 biggest regrets of first-time home buyers

Test all fire alarms, replace batteries and add additional alarms where needed. Purchase a fire extinguisher and establish a fire safety plan early with all family members. Do not rely on the previous owners to keep fire safety up to date.

20 hidden things in your home that may be a fire hazard.

Buy a filing cabinet or office organiser to keep all documents relating to the house in, such as insurance documents, utility bills, receipts etc. Storing all your household information in one handy place makes life easier for the homeowner and can be a sales ‘plus’ when selling the house later.

It’s good to familiarise yourself with the farthest corners of your home. Check for leaks, bugs, mould and other issues that you should address sooner rather than later. If your crawlspace doesn’t have a vapour barrier, learn how to install one here.

Strange odours occurring in your home? Find out what you can do.

If you don’t have keyless locks, be sure to hide a house key so you don’t get locked out. Consider a location other than under the welcome mat, like in a garden hose or under a flower pot.

If this is your first home, consider what you can live with and what you can’t. Perhaps the kitchen isn’t ideal, but you know a few appliance upgrades will do the trick. You wanted two full bathrooms, but can you live with one and a half? Know your must-haves.

There’s almost no way for a new homeowner to completely avoid buyer’s remorse. The little pitfalls that come with buying a home can be stressful and drive you crazy. The good news is that it’s all worth it! For all of its challenges, homeownership can be mentally and financially rewarding.

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Source: The Family Handyman