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DO'S + DON'TS THE FIRST YEAR IN YOUR NEW HOME

If you bought a new house, congratulations! There are lots to do to make your house your home but here are some do's and don'ts for the first year - coming from experience! Hope they help!

DO: INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO NEIGHBORS!

When I first moved into my house, instead of waiting for neighbors to come to me, I decided to send a card to my neighbors introducing myself. You can also throw a house party or backyard BBQ and invite neighbors! 

DO: PLANT TREES

Don't remove trees, but plant them if you know you want them (like your land has none)! The best time to plant a tree was yesterday! Buy the biggest you can afford and hire the nursery to deliver and plant (some will include a warranty).

DON'T: REMOVE TREES YET!

I learned this from a gardening class! Observe your home all 4 seasons before cutting down trees or planting. You will realize if those trees provide shade, if they drop leaves (or when). Unless they are troublesome with the root system, keep the trees for a year before removing.

DO: CHANGE THESE THINGS BEFORE YOU MOVE IN

Paint the walls and ceiling before you move in, change the flooring and baseboards if you wish, and change out the doorknobs once you move in.  Replace or switch out dated light switches and plugs.

DON'T: EXPAND IMMEDIATELY

We had plans to make our house bigger but we went back and forth over the years on what to do. Had we done it quickly we wouldn't have gotten it right. After years of entertaining we knew what we needed and got it ALL. Live in your home for a while to know your needs it will be worth it.