Inevitably when we move, we have to adjust our current belongings to a totally new space. Maybe a loved one is growing from a one bedroom apartment to a three bedroom house or from a condo to a townhome. Suddenly the couch that was a tight fit before does nothing to fill the space of their new living room, the tiny kitchen from before didn’t allow for many appliances or kitchen gadgets and now there are twice the cabinets to fill, or their cramped storage closet is being swapped for a spacious basement. Here are some gifts to consider for the new or prospective homeowner in your life this holiday season – that won’t be your run-of-the-mill housewarming present.
- Organization
- Belongings need somewhere to go and moving can be even more stressful when you start unpacking and realize your things have nowhere to go. A little organization goes a long way. Treat the new homeowner in your life to some organization that fits their space. It can be as small as some bins or as big as custom shelving – either way a place for everything makes it easier to settle into a new home.
- Furniture
- Furnishing a new space can be expensive and time consuming. Not to mention, these days furniture delivery can be delayed for months due to production times and demand. Gifting furniture can go a long way, so – if you have some extra furniture to gift or some extra funds to help shop for furniture this might be the perfect gift!
- Plants
- Liven up the place a little bit with plants! If you know your recipient is looking to plant a garden or take advantage of the light from their new windows, plants are a great gift.
- The service essentials
- Remember how hectic moving can be? It’s more than unpacking – things like organizing, painting, decorating, handywork, figuring out instructions to put together furniture, mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, and more take a long time and effort. Take the burden off by helping to hire services. Something even as small as food delivery can go a long way but also consider helping to hire services like:
- Organizers
- Painters
- Interior decorators
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Landscapers
- Task helpers
- etc
- Gift cards
- When it comes to buying a home, cash is not king for a gift unless you’re talking about our last gift idea. While it may be tempting to cut a check, this additional cash flow can be a red flag for lenders if not done correctly. When it comes to funds, it’s a good idea to stick to gift cards.
- Down payment gifts
- Here’s the ultimate gift – a down payment gift. These can come as a cash down payment gift or, if a family member is selling to you, a gift of equity. Additionally, some loans qualify to have the cash down payment gift spent on paying off debts to help qualify for a mortgage. On the same note, some buyers may be required to have a certain amount of their payment coming from their own funds. Before going this route, be sure to consult their loan officer to ensure your thoughtful gift doesn’t cause any hiccups in the homebuying process.
This advertisement is not a loan approval or commitment to lend. All loans are subject to approval. Loan programs, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply, call for details.
