Little moments to look forward to when buying your first home

Buying your first home is a life-changing experience. Taking the step from renting or living under your parents' roof to finally getting the keys to your own place is a moment full of potential, possibilities and rewarding challenges.

Among the big changes are many little moments to enjoy. These are the moments you might not have realised you were daydreaming about when becoming a homeowner. From celebratory drinks on the living room floor to flicking through colour swatches for the spare room, here are the little things to look forward to when buying your first home.

1. An opportunity to move on from renting

A huge pro of owning your home is moving on from renting and all this represents. You’ll finally have a space that’s really yours. There will be no more worries in the back of your mind that your landlord might decide to sell, forcing you to move, or having to deal with housemates moving in and out. You can choose to move when you want to, safe in the knowledge that the space is fully yours forever if you choose.

Along with the security that comes with owning your home, you also have the freedom to do things on your own terms. Tenancy inspections and landlord visits will be a thing of the past, and you can decorate as you please. Every time you paint a wall or hammer in a tack to hang a picture, you can reflect on the fact that you can now make your space exactly as you want it, without the worry that you’re going to lose your tenancy deposit.

Owning your home is a big step, and you’ll likely feel much more ‘grown-up’. Instead of paying rent, you’ll be paying a mortgage and contributing towards paying for your own house rather than someone else’s. You’ll also be responsible for your property. This might seem a little stressful at the outset, but you can decide when and how things get done, rather than waiting for someone else to decide when to fix it.

2. You’ll have creative freedom

Before you buy a home, the amount of decorating you can do is limited and normally dictated by restrictions from other people. When you get the keys to your own house, you’ll have the opportunity to transform the space to be exactly what you want.

This might mean many evenings and weekends spent decorating, but every wall you paint and every piece of art or photo you hang will be putting your own unique stamp on your place.

This is a key part of transforming a house into a home. Even before you move in, you can start planning the colour scheme, choosing your furniture and working out what each room will be used for (a great time to call dibs on your future home office).

Having a lot of work ahead of you can feel exciting. Just knowing that you’re investing time and effort into a project that will yield satisfaction and comfort for years to come will be incredibly rewarding. You can watch your home change in response to the work you put in, as it forms into your ideal living space.

3. Making the most of your outdoor space

Having your own outdoor space is one of the most appealing things about owning your home. If you’ve previously had outdoor space with a rental property, they normally have restrictions on what you can do with them. Having your own garden is different.

You can indulge in hobbies like gardening, manicuring the space to create your own outdoor idyll, or even growing your own food. You can play sports or exercise with an outdoor gym, or just relax in your own space with a great book on a comfy outdoor sofa.

Your outdoor space is a huge asset when it comes to entertaining in the warmer months. You’ll be able to host friends and family and enjoy BBQs and garden parties, making incredible memories you’ll remember forever.

4. Giving your furry friends a home they deserve

One of the most restrictive aspects of renting your home is whether or not you’re able to have a pet. Ultimately, this depends on your landlord’s discretion. If they don’t allow pets, owning your home may be your first chance to bring a furry friend into the family.

This could also mean that you have the space for a dog or cat for the first time. If you’re moving from a city to a more suburban or rural area, or from a flat to a house, now could be the time to get the companion you’ve always wanted.

Having the flexibility to adapt your house also means you can give your pets the home they deserve. Whether that means adding a cat or dog flap to allow your pets free access to your garden, dedicating a spare room to them or installing vivariums for more exotic pets, the choice is completely yours. When you move into your home, your pets will also be enjoying this newfound freedom.

5. Sharing your new home with loved ones

The process of owning your first home is full of little shared instances of joy. From calling friends and family after signing the contract and sharing a photo of your new keys on social media on moving-in day, to all the moments you’ll share with friends, family or your partner in your new house.

You can look forward to the parties and dinners that you’ll be able to host, but make sure you savour those initial milestone moments at the end of your buying journey when you move in.

6. Well-earned privacy, space, and time

Owning your home can contribute to improved mental wellbeing. It’s your space where you have privacy and the freedom to relax and be yourself. You’re in control, providing you with a sense of security, as well as responsibility and belonging. Whatever your previous living situation, you can now rest assured that this is your home and can work to create a space that improves your life.

You’ve got all the time in the world to make this home your own, so relax, take a deep breath and take comfort in the fact that this is your home.