Being a new homeowner is an exciting time! Save time, money and anxiety by avoiding these common new homeowner mistakes.

1. DIY Everything
Doing it yourself is great when it comes to decorating and making a place your own. But leave the tricky stuff to professionals: it can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening if you don’t know what you’re doing.

2. Being unprepared for a fire
Make sure all of your smoke alarms are working by checking regularly. Consider investing in a fire extinguisher, especially for your kitchen and garage.

3. Don’t sweat the small stuff
Most often, what seem like small problems in your home can turn to catastrophe pretty quickly. Keep your home well maintained to avoid costlier repairs down the road.

4. Assuming your windows and doors are energy efficient
You can’t rely on the previous homeowner to have maintained their home. Inspect your windows and doors for cracks and potential leaks to save you money from the start.

5. Cost is an indicator of quality
Don’t buy the most expensive air filter just because it’s the most expensive. Always make sure you’re buying the right filter for your appliance; check your owner’s manual to be sure.