5 Books Every First-Time Homeowner Should Read

Leading up to the purchase of your first home, you were probably getting a lot of advice from friends, family, and even total strangers. It was probably a big relief on closing day when you realized you made it through the home buying process and could finally move in and relax.

That is, until you figured out that there was still a lot you didn’t know about not buying a home, but owning a home.

Back when you were renting, your landlord took care of the maintenance and those unexpected repairs. You probably weren’t paying attention to the architecture or historic details of your apartment, and you certainly didn’t care about keeping the house too organized. It’s different when it’s your home, though. Suddenly, all those things matter — and calling your parents at all hours of the day and night with questions can get old really fast.

Books, though?

Books are there for you 24/7 and can teach you so many things about owning a home that you never even thought about before. If you’re a first-time homebuyer or homeowner, the books listed below are excellent resources and will help you get more comfortable as you settle into your new place.

First-Time Homeowner Books to Read Now

1. Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes

By George Nash

This book is described as “the definitive book on how to bring an old house back to life — without destroying it’s spirit.” Read professional advice from George Nash, an experienced contractor, and get inside info about everything from making the right repairs to where to find the best materials.

2. 100 Things Every Homeowner Must Know: How to Save Money, Solve Problems, and Improve Your Home

By: Editors of Family Handyman

For the homeowner looking for a good overview of the basics and what to expect with a new home, Reader’s Digest has a series of popular titles under the rubric of The Family Handyman.

Starting with this book, the series covers everything from kitchen storage solutions to easy plumbing repair. Compiled by a team of more than 1,000 field editors, the series is designed to be the homeowners’ bible.

3. Remodelista: The Organized Home

By Julie Carlson

A new home is also a new opportunity to clear out the clutter and get organized. This book from the design website Remodelista gives you central principles and tons of ideas for keeping your space unencumbered by “stuff.”

4. A Field Guide to American Houses

By Virginia Savage McAlester

If you bought an older home and have an appreciation for architecture — or just want to understand the history of your home’s design a bit more — you’ll want to check out this classic.

McAlester’s book is considered to be the single most comprehensive and widely acclaimed guide to domestic architecture in America. Whether you have a 1920’s bungalow, a 19th century Victorian, or a mid-century modern ranch, you’ll find this book to be both informative and fascinating.

5. Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House

By Cheryl Mendelson

Moving from a one-bedroom apartment to a 3-bedroom home can be jarring — it’s wonderful to have all that extra space, but you also need to take care of it. Home Comforts is a classic and a how-to manual you’ll undoubtedly refer to time and time again.

Bottom line on the best books for homeowners

Homeownership doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right tools and the right book you can enjoy not only your new home, but a great sense of accomplishment when you do it yourself.