Top 10 Everyday Tools for First Time Homebuyer

Today is Day 1 of the Top 10 Favorites for New Homebuyers Series!  If you aren't sure what I'm talking about check out the start up post for the series here.  First and foremost, I want to share with you our Top 10 Everday Tools we feel EVERY homeowner should have in their home.  This goes for those families who are doing a complete gut job to the families who live in a high rise turn-key condo who don't plan on doing any renovations or projects.  If you own a home, you need these tools in your life.

So let's get started!  The tools listed are in no certain order because we feel they are all equally needed for their own purposes.

1. Painter's Tape.  This multipurpose gentle tape is used for so many different things in our house.  The top 2 being its main purpose, to tape of areas you don't want to paint, and to hang pictures (post going up soon).  We've also used it as a quick stand in for other tapes (other than electrical or duct tape).  It does not pull up paint on walls or furniture like other harsher tapes would.

   

   We are a Scotch Blue family :)

2. Tape Measure.  Pretty self-explanatory but we use our tape measure quite often for multiple projects and things needed around the house. 
   
3. Cordless Drill.  Although I used to own a cheapo cordless drill I bought at Wal-Mart for $30, I wouldn't go back after having the power of our Porter Cable cordless.  We use this at least weekly.

   

   The drill came in THIS SET Adam got for Christmas from my parents.

4. Screwdriver Set.  This is used when either the cordless is a) too powerful, b) too big, or c) too heavy like in this post. 
   
5. Utility Knife.  Again another self-explanatory item but so needed.  I've even used this to clean the tiny crevices in my daughter's car seat to get out the crumbs and gunk.  
   
6. Hammer.  A good one.  Preferably with a rubber handle like our Kobalt for good grip and minimal blisters.
   
7. Stud Finder.  No not me, although I did find my stud...haha sorry corny joke.  Anyway, we held off on getting this tool for a while in our rental homes, but now I'm realizing that was crazy.  Yes tapping on the wall will slowly and somewhat accurately find your wall studs, but this inexpensive tool does it quickly and 100% accurately.
   
8. Step Stool.  Get it, you will need it.  Ours is now covered in paint splatters, but it stays in the house in the hall closet because it is used so often.
   
   
   The next two items don't have pictures.
   
9. Nails and Screws.  It's always handy to have a couple boxes of different sized nails and different sized screws for multiple reasons, everything from hanging pictures to fixing a loose table leg.  We don't have a specific brand we love, just whatever is available.  
10. Flashlight.  You wouldn't believe how many people forget to buy one of these.  We actually have a large one in the garage that came with my husband's Porter Cable power tool kit, a couple of small cheapo ones stashed around the house in different rooms, and a MagLite in our room (which could be used as a weapon too). 

Although there are more items we could have included in this list (this Kobalt 34-Piece All-Purpose Home Tool Set covers over half of the items in the list!), we felt like these were the ones you really have to have.  And if you know someone who is getting married and moving into their first house, a basket (or toolbox) of these would make a great wedding present!

I hope you enjoyed day 1 of the Top 10 for New Homeowners series, and as always, thanks for stopping by!






Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are through an affiliated link. This means if you go through the post and purchase the product I will get a small portion of the purchase price.  However, I would not recommend any items that I do not use or love myself.