8 Essential Items for Every New Home Buyer’s Tool Kit

Living in and caring for a house is very different than doing so for an apartment. When you purchase a new home, you soon find that there seem to be a million little things that you didn’t realize you were going to need. Here is a checklist to get you started preparing for those things…

Screw anchors ~
In a brand new home, the builder frequently leaves some other smaller items for the home owner to finish up. Even in a previously owned home, the prior owners may take their fixture with them, or you my want to change to something more your own style. You’ll shortly find that towel bars, paper towel holders, cup hooks, and so on, usually do not come with screw anchors. Save your self a lot of aggravation by buying a generous multi-pack of screw anchors with a variety of the common sizes. Then you’ll have some handy when you need them.

Screws ~
A new home owner will find a million uses for screws. From screws you lost in the process of moving, to screws for things you didn’t realize would need them, a lot of your new house projects will stall if you’re not prepared with a good selection of screws. You can find a reasonably priced variety pack of the common screw sizes at your local discount store.

Hammer ~
Hammers are great for driving nails. Hammers are also great for dislodging stuck things, re-aligning stuck or bent things, and

Light Bulbs ~
Hopefully the previous owner will have left you light bulbs, but sometimes they don’t. At the first opportunity, check the wattages in your new house and lay in a supply of bulbs. Light bulbs are inexpensive, but crucial. So make sure you always have at least a few spares on hand.

Extension cord ~
As you arrange, rearrange, and reorganize your new home, you’re sure to encounter at least a few times when you really wish you had a closer outlet, or an extra one. Be prepared by having a good quality extension cord available.

Level ~
Your new home will need pictures, shelves, closet and shower bars. You want them to be straight, don’t you? A level is a tool with a bubble of air in a little tube built into a ruler. Lay the tool on top of whatever you want to make level, and when the bubble is balanced in the middle of the tube, you know it’s straight. Very handy!

Rope ~
Rope is one of those things that you won’t think of until you need it, by which times you really need it! Be prepared by having a roll on hand as you move into your new home. Whether you need to tie down a load on the moving truck, or construct a makeshift handrail for a staircase, you’ll be glad you have rope.

Duct tape ~
You will use this for *everything*! Duct tape is one of the two most useful items on the planet. (The other one is WD-40.) No new home owner should be without it.

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