I’m a first time buyer – this is the biggest mistake I made when it was time to move into my new home
A homeowner has shared the biggest mistake she made before moving into her first home.
Devamsha Gunput, 28, from Edinburghis a content creator and former tech consultant who bought her first home in the Scottish capital this year.
In a recent one Instagram Working with Expedia UK, Gunput shared an essential tip for first-time homebuyers, although her advice was met with mixed reactions.
In a video Posted to @expedia_uk on June 4, Gunput – known as @devamsha on the social app – revealed a critical mistake she made before settling into her new property: forgetting to factor in the cost of furniture.
She explains: ‘I made a big mistake when I bought my new home and completely forgot to furnish it. Bed frames, a mattress, wardrobes, a sofa…’
Devamsha Gunput, 28, from Edinburgh, is a content creator and former technology consultant who bought her first home in the Scottish capital this year
Gunput noticed the overwhelming number of considerations when purchasing a new home, but her failure to include furniture in her initial costs left her struggling.
She added: ‘To be honest, there’s a lot to think about when you get a new place, but not including that in my initial costs meant I had to think very quickly.’
To address this issue, Gunput admitted that she had to revise her budget and rely on a credit card to cover initial expenses, while emphasizing the importance of doing so responsibly.
The content creator said: ‘I ended up adjusting my budget and using my credit card to finance the really basic furniture needs for the first few weeks. I made sure I could actually afford the refund and pay off the credit card in full.”
Furthermore, Gunput highlighted a common challenge faced by homebuyers in Edinburgh: the need to compromise on a kitchen or a bathroom.
She added: ‘And buying a flat in Edinburgh means one thing: you have to compromise on the kitchen or the bathroom – and I have compromised on both.
‘So if you’re also in the process of buying a house, don’t forget to think about those first few weeks or months in your new place, and what kind of basic furniture you’ll need. And what you should buy immediately versus what you might have to save for.’
A number of Instagram users condemned Gunput’s way of affording essential items, while others suggested alternative ways to acquire furniture without breaking the bank or racking up debt.
Gunput noticed the overwhelming number of considerations when purchasing a new home, but her failure to include furniture in her initial costs left her feeling confused.
A number of Instagram users condemned Gunput’s method of affording essential items, while others suggested alternative ways to obtain furniture.
One person suggested, “Better idea: Just buy second-hand,” while another said, “Just get a mattress and sleep on it until you actually have money to spend on furniture.” Going into debt just to show off is a bad idea.”
A third added: “I would have been along for the ride Facebook marketplace, you can actually get much better quality for your money.’
Another commented: ‘You don’t have to buy everything at once. Sleeping on a foam floor is fine. Everything can be bought with a salary for the following months.’
A fifth user said: ‘Use what you have and then head to free thrift or used goods until you replace them along the way. Some apartments are equipped with white goods and furniture. The sale of the property is subject to negotiation. The possibilities are endless.’
It comes as the numbers show 29 percent increase among people over 50 who are climbing onto the property ladder at the end of their working lives – a time when many of us had traditionally hoped to have paid off our mortgage and started planning for retirement.
