First Time Homeowner? Here Is a List of Essential Appliances for You
First time homeowners will find they need a variety of appliances to make their house a home. A washer and dryer will help save on trips to the laundromat, while a dishwasher can ease the burden of mindless chores like filling ice trays or rinsing dishes.
Other essentials include a tool kit with a hammer, screwdrivers and measuring tape and cleaning supplies like paper towels, mop, broom and vacuum cleaner.
Some household appliances are covered under a home warranty so be sure you understand the difference between home insurance vs home warranty. Maintaining these coverages will help you when an unexpected repair needs to be done.
Refrigerator
Unless you are planning to live on take-outs and tap water, a refrigerator is an absolute necessity. Refrigerators allow you to keep food fresh for a long time and help you save money by avoiding costly grocery runs. They also come in a variety of sizes and styles to fit your space and lifestyle.
Microwaves can be a life-saver if you are living in an apartment or are a new homeowner without much cooking experience. They can cook a lot of food, albeit at a slower pace than stove top appliances.
It can be a hassle to move large built-in appliances, so they normally stay with the house. However, smaller appliances like microwaves and coffee machines are a must-have for any home. Without them, you may have to make do with instant coffee and tea for a while.
Stove
While many household appliances have straightforward names like sink, refrigerator and microwave, the stove has a little bit of an identity crisis. It’s a cooking appliance, but it also is sometimes called the oven or range.
The best stove for you will depend on your cooking habits and kitchen layout. If you bake, roast and broil often, a range that combines an oven and cooktop/cooktop is likely the best choice. Ranges come in electric or gas fuel options, and freestanding or slide-in styles.
Newer stoves are getting a facelift, dropping knobs and dials in favor of more modern touch controls that let you use the appliance with your voice or through an app. This can simplify your cooking experience and make your home feel more streamlined and modern.
Microwave
Microwaves are a must-have appliance for any kitchen, whether you just need to heat up a cup of coffee or defrost dinner. Microwaves come in a variety of sizes, wattages and features. For example, some models have quick-cook keys that allow you to add 30 seconds or minutes to an existing cooking setting, ensuring the food is cooked at exactly the right time.
There are also countertop models, which can be installed into a cabinet using a trim kit and free up counter space. Or you can get an over-the-range microwave that fits in a vent opening and provides lighting and venting like a range hood—these models tend to be pricier.
Other appliances to consider include a blender, which is useful for making smoothies or milkshakes. And a toaster, which will help save valuable counter space.
Washer/Dryer
Washers and dryers are an essential part of any home, but laundry rooms aren’t always built into newer homes. Having an in-unit washer and dryer can increase the marketability of your property, making it more desirable to potential tenants.
For small dwellings, like apartments or condos, that don’t have room for full-sized appliances, compact washer and dryer units are a good alternative. These smaller units can fit into nooks and crannies with ease, and can even be made portable.
Advanced washer/dryer combination units offer a variety of features. Some even include remote diagnostics, which will alert you when something goes wrong with your machine. They can also be set up with wifi-integration so you can receive cycle status notifications on your smartphone. These are perfect for busy homeowners!
Dishwasher
A dishwasher is one of the most important appliances a first time home owner will need. It saves countless hours of mindless work that would be spent washing dishes by hand.
When shopping for a dishwasher, it is recommended to purchase a new model that is energy efficient with advanced features like WiFi connectivity, hidden controls, additional cycles and more. It is also advised to avoid buying a used dishwasher as these can often cost you more in the long run with repairs and replacement costs.
It is important to properly load the dishwasher in order to get the best results. Lighter items should be placed on the top rack and heavier items on the bottom rack. It is also recommended to space out the items within each rack according to their sizes.
