Major Purchases After Buying a Home: New Homeowner Checklist

*Updated July 7, 2026

Major purchases after buying a home

You just purchased your home, and now it’s time to move in. You may not have had the time to think about all the various things you will need to buy for your new house. As you open the front door to your marvelous new home, you may soon realize that you have a lot of shopping to do. If you are expanding from an apartment or condominium to a house, for instance, you might need new furniture, pictures for the walls, rugs for the floors, appliances, and lawn maintenance equipment. Use this new homeowner checklist to help you plan and budget for the major purchases after buying a home that most new owners run into:

Change the Locks

One of the first purchases for a new home should be to re-key or change all door locks. If the previous sellers gave spare keys to neighbors, friends, relatives, or coworkers, it is doubtful you could retrieve them. Even if you did, you would have no way of knowing if anyone had made additional copies. Even new home builders give out keys to contractors, so it is wise to change the locks and install deadbolts on all exterior doors. Don’t forget any outbuildings that are keyed, such as detached garages and tool sheds. While you’re at it, consider upgrading to smart locks or a basic home security system for added peace of mind.

New or Refurbished Appliances

Maybe your new home was a way of starting fresh, so you want new appliances and flooring to go with it. If you don’t have the funds to buy top-of-the-line everything, there are still plenty of affordable things to buy when moving into a new home. Many appliance stores have refurbished options and reduced-cost floor models you can purchase.

Flooring Updates

For your flooring options, you may want to consider laminate over real hardwood floors.

Lawn and Yard Equipment

Of course, you will want to remember that your new home comes with a new yard you will have to take care of as well. Take care to budget for all of the tools you will need for upkeep or improvements, whether you have a lawn or xeriscaped yard.

Landscaping, Paint, and Remodeling

Besides changing locks, buying home repair and lawn maintenance equipment, and installing new appliances, you may decide to assume the homeownership costs of landscaping, exterior or interior paint, or doing some remodeling in your new home. These are some major purchases for a new home that many people undertake to customize their homes to suit their individual taste.

Basic Tools for Everyday Fixes

A basic tool kit — hammer, screwdriver set, drill, and step ladder — will come in handy for the small repairs and projects that come with owning a home, even before you tackle bigger remodeling plans.

For more information on buying or selling a home, the mortgage process, and the types of mortgages available, please contact Integrity Mortgage & Financial Inc. by phone or email at (719) 638-0531 or info@integritymtg.com.