3 Surprising Ways Costco Can Help First-Time Home Buyers
Being a first time homebuyer is an absolute minefield. There is so much you don’t know yet and what you need help with as a homeowner that it can be quite overwhelming. Your real estate agent will provide as much assistance as possible, but they cannot do everything for you.
Surprisingly enough, Costco is the place to go for a lot of the help you need to get your first home up and running. Yes, you read that right.
Here are some surprising ways Costco can help first-time homebuyers navigate the purchasing process after the tricky first year.
1. Costco offers discounts on homeowners insurance.
Unless you’re buying a home in California or Florida, a Costco membership does more than just get you discounts on basketball-sized pies. You can also save on homeowners insurance through Costco’s partnership with American Family Insurance.
According to the website, 89% of Costco members who chose CONNECT by American Family Insurance are very satisfied with their homeowners insurance product, giving it a 4 or 5 out of 5 rating in a 2022 internal survey.
Buying homeowners insurance can be a really daunting task, and while it’s a good idea to price out more than one insurance company, choosing the dream team of Costco and AmFam to insure your first home can make a long pre-closing check. This is another task you can do. Make a list.
2. Do you need a moving truck? Costco has it all taken care of.
I’m really embarrassed to learn that I wasted money on renting a moving truck in the past. I don’t move often, but when I do, I like to consider how much moving costs will cost me so I don’t spend more than I need to. According to Angi, renting a 22-foot moving truck can cost $40 to $130 per day, not including packing materials, insurance, mileage fees or the cost of gas needed to fill up the truck before returning it.
Costco has taken all of this into consideration and has partnered with Budget to secure up to 26-inch trucks for members at 25% off retail price, including rental and mileage fees. This also includes 24/7 roadside assistance in case you experience mechanical problems with your rented truck.
3. Finding a contractor can be difficult, but Costco makes it easy.
You might not be ready to shell out a ton of money for a new home right away, but if you are, Costco has contractors who can help you with a variety of home improvement projects. Although they can’t do it all, Costco’s partners offer a variety of services, from installing garage doors and openers to remodeling bathrooms and installing solar panels.
Even if you’re not looking to make major changes to your home, Costco can help you hang window treatments, organize closets, or install a water filtration system. Members receive 10% to 15% back on eligible purchases in the form of a Costco Shopping Card.
Related: Best Credit Cards for Costco
Plan a Costco discount on your first home
When you think of Costco, saving money on insurance, truck rentals, home services, etc. doesn’t come to mind, but who does that? Buying your first home and completing a major move into your first home requires a fairly detailed budget. Costco is here to help.
Related: Costco’s #1 Strategy to Cut Costs
While you’re there, don’t forget that a Costco hot dog is one of the cheapest meals on the planet. You can also buy Costco pizza to eat later. If you want to stay strong for your upcoming marathon, you need to eat well.
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