We are beginning siman 2. The Chayei Adam writes that one recites shehecheyanu on building or buying a new house, even if they already own another house. The Mishnah Berurah holds that one only makes a shehecheyanu when they live alone. If they have a wife and/or children, since others receive benefit as well, one should recite hatov vehametiv.
The Chayei Adam writes that the correct time to make the bracha is when one purchases the item, and not to wait until using it. He explains that the bracha is made on the feelings of simcha generated from acquiring the item, and not specifically the usage of the item, so it is proper to make the bracha immediately once the simcha has been generated.
If the item is not immediately usable, the Mishnah Berurah holds that one should wait until the item is used for the first time to make the bracha. The Mishnah Berurah, following the opinion of the Magen Avraham, holds that we take into consideration both the simcha generated from the acquisition and the ability to use it when determining when to make the bracha.
However, the Chayei Adam holds that it will depend on the person. If a person does not feel the simcha until they use the item, they should always wait until they use it to make the bracha, regardless of its usability at the time of acquisition. We do not pasken like the Chayei Adam, but rather follow the Magen Avraham and Mishnah Berurah. If the item is usable immediately after purchase, one should make the bracha at the time of the purchase, and if it is not usable immediately after purchase, one should wait until they use the item to make the bracha.
Summary
- If one acquires a new house, if they live alone they recite shehecheyanu, and if they live with other family members they recite hatov vehametiv.
- The correct time to recite the bracha depends on the usability of the item. If the item is usable at the time of acquisition, one recites the bracha immediately.
If the item is not usable at the time of acquisition, one should wait until the first time they use the item to make the bracha.
