Is Renting Things for Your Home a Good Idea in Australia Is Renting Things for Your Home a Good Idea in Aus | Page 6

heads or lawn sprinklers at Target or in the gardening department at Loews. Don't forget about weed-
whackers, trowels, shovels, rakes or hoes. A push broom comes in handy for sweeping your garage floor,
plus the handle unscrews so you can use it as an extension pole with a wall sander. Consider a watering
can and wheelbarrow or wagon. Tools & Repair Items to buy for a new house every home need a well-
stocked tool box. Besides buying a toolbox itself, other essential items are:
Hammers: Ball and Claw, Assorted Screw drivers: Flathead and Phillips, Hacksaw, Pliers, Plumber's
Wrench, Basin Wrench, Small Power Drill and Drill Bits, Nail Driver, Staple Gun, Tape Measure, More
Stuff to Buy for a New House, Paint Brushes: one-inch to four-inches, Paint Scraper with steel brush for
cleaning paint brushes, Five-Gallon Container for mixing paint, Paint Screen, Paint Roller and Sleeves,
Drop Cloths or plastic sheeting, Electrical Tester, Wire Nuts, Assorted Screws and Nails, Assortment of
Sandpaper
Outdoor Entertaining Lawn chairs, patio furniture and umbrella, and a barbecue grill are among the
starter items most people put out back. A nice starter grill is a Weber charcoal grill, and it's very
inexpensive.
Snow Removal Equipment If it snows where you live, you'll need to remove it. Many cities give
homeowners a certain period of time to remove the snow and you can be cited if you don't. Apart from
clearing the driveway so you can get your car out of the garage, remember the sidewalks and front
steps. Snow blowers can be expensive. But you can also find used snow blowers on Craigslist. If a snow
blower is not in your budget, then look at flat- and curved-snow shovels, plus ice-chippers and a bag of
salt or sand come in handy when the ground freezes. Window Coverings You can choose from blinds,
drapes, Roman shades, scarves, toppers, curtains, honeycombs, sheers or shutters.
If your budget is stretched too thin, check out self-adhesive paper blinds with clips. These attach by
peeling off the adhesive covering and sticking the top of the blind to the underside at the top of your
window. They are pleated, so you can fold them up and clip them when you want to open the blinds.
They cost less than $5, and serve as a good temporary solution.
Appliances many new homes are equipped with new appliances, but when buying an older home,
depending on where you live, it might be customary for the seller to take some of the appliances. Not all
appliances are fixtures, either. At the very least, you will need a:
Cooktop / Range, Refrigerator, Washer & Dryer. If new is out of your price range, then consider buying
used appliances, which will save you roughly 75% or more of the cost new. Linens, Towels and Floor
Coverings Now that you can paint your rooms any color you choose, you might also find a need to buy
new towels for the bathroom. Newly painted walls call attention to older, worn items, and your towels
might be better suited for washing the car or your dog than hanging in a fresh, new bathroom. Consider
also floor mats for the bath or area rugs for your larger rooms. If you need new duvet covers, sheets or
bedspreads, you can often find good bargains at places like Linen-n-Things or Bed, Bath & Beyond.
Domestic Pets Maybe your previous lease prevented you from owning a dog or cat, but now that you
own your home, you can adopt a pet! Some cities have restrictions on the number of four- and two-
legged critters you can have, so be sure to check with your local authorities. Also, ask if you need a city