How to Decide What to Renovate Before Moving into a New House

There's nothing quite like the thrill of moving into a new home. But sometimes, your new home may require a little bit of TLC before you move all of your stuff in. If you've just bought your dream home, you can make it feel every bit the part if you do some renovations before moving day arrives.

So what should you get to work on? That's really up to you. It's best to take a look at the house and take inventory of what might need fixing or replacing. But there are many easy renovations you can make before you move in too. An added bonus of putting the time in before you move is that you can start and complete projects without the hassle of having to watch out for furniture or belongings.

Start Painting

It seems that every new homeowner decides to undertake a painting project at some point, whether it's repainting the kitchen or you're prepping a nursery for a newborn. By picking colors out and painting, you can really make a new home feel like your own. You can use low VOC paints to keep the air in your house clean too. You'll find it's a lot easier to paint before furniture and appliances have been moved in and it can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want to make it.

In 2016, it was estimated that more than 85% of renovations were paid for in cash or with savings. So if you've been keeping a rainy day fund for moving, you can head to your local home improvement store and pick up all that you need. If you're on a budget, you can choose an inexpensive paint or you can choose a high-end paint if you want to go that route.

Install Air Conditioning

It's estimated that more than 84% of American homes have some kind of air conditioning system. If your new home needs air conditioning, putting in the units is a good idea before you move everything else. That way you can have a nice, cool house, especially if you're moving in the summertime. On the flip side, you might also consider looking into a central air unit before you move into your home. This will eliminate the need for air conditioning units in every room and allow you to toggle between heat and air depending on the time of year.

Go Green

Another option you have before you move into your home is making your home more energy-efficient. After all, it seems most companies these days are encouraging folks to go green and do things more efficiently. If you want to go big, you can certainly do that. Consider installing something like a new energy-efficient water heater. It may cost a lot up front, but it should save you money in the long run, considering water accounts for about 18% of a home's energy use. But realistically, you don't have to go that big. You can do small, but effective things like changing out light bulbs for energy-efficient ones. You can also add weather stripping around your windows to make them less drafty, or you could install low-flow showerheads to lower your water use. Even taking little steps can make a big difference.

Endless Possibilities

Being a new homeowner can be thrilling, but it can be even more thrilling doing renovations and really putting your stamp on your homestead before you move in. There are any number of renovations and projects you can undertake before you move, and it will make a big difference in the long run.