7 Things to Do Immediately After Buying a House
Becoming a homeowner is a huge milestone and it’s understandable that you can’t wait to move into your new place and start a new chapter. Before you can start enjoying your new home, there are 7 things you should do immediately after buying a house.
Top 7 Things to Do After Buying a House
- Update everyone on your new address
- Setup a home security system
- Replace the old door locks
- Get the home insured
- Contact the utility companies
- Give the home a deep cleaning
- Introduce yourself to the neighbors
Update everyone on your new address
You have probably already informed everyone you know that you are planning on purchasing a house. Now that you actually did it, it’s time to share the good news and update everyone from friends and family to relatives about your new address.
You should also take time to inform everyone you get mail from (creditors, companies, etc) about your new address (update it online or call them). Remember to notify your post office as well about your change of address so that your mail gets forwarded to your new address if someone sends it to your old address.
Setup a home security system
While you are changing the locks and reprogramming garage doors, consider installing a home security system for an extra layer of safety. Take some time to consider all the different options available. Depending on your budget, you can go for a state-of-the-art security system or opt for something more wallet-friendly yet effective. On average, homeowners can expect a monthly payment of around $50-$100 for a good security system.
While you’re at it, remember to check the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as well as fire extinguishers, motion lights, and security lights to ensure they’re in good working condition. Otherwise, they will be of no use in case of an emergency.
Replace the old door locks
This is crucial since you never know who else has the key to your new place aside from the previous homeowner. Changing door locks is not necessary only if you are buying a brand-new home – in any other instance, it’s an absolute must. This shouldn’t cost you too much – depending on how many exterior doors there are, you can expect to pay around $150 to change 2-3 locks on your new home.
In addition, if your new place has a garage, make sure to change the garage security code. There’s always a chance that someone else out there may have an extra garage door remote, and having the garage doors reprogrammed or installing and programming a new security box should give you some peace of mind.
Get your home insured
When it comes to securing a home, there is only so much you can do to help protect your new abode. As much as we like to think we are in control, sometimes unexpected things will happen, and there is no way of saying when it’s going to happen, whether we’re talking about natural disasters, fires, or burglaries.
While taking safety precautions is essential for keeping your new place safe and sound, getting your home secured by finding the best home insurance quote that suits your individual needs is that one extra step that can make all the difference when it comes to protecting your belongings.
Knowing that you are covered in case of unforeseen circumstances is going to give new homeowners that much-needed peace of mind and help them start this new chapter of their lives on the right foot.
If you are also going to have a mortgage on the property, your lender will likely need for you to secure insurance at the time of closing.
Contact the utility companies
Moving into a new home can easily get hectic if you are not careful and plan everything in advance, and hooking up your utilities (must-haves such as electricity, water, and gas) is a smart move that can make this process go a lot smoother.
Cable and internet will also need to be transferred to your new place ahead of time, so make it a priority to contact your provider beforehand. Set an appointment early on and you won’t have to deal with any unpleasantries when the moving day arrives.
Give your new home a deep clean
When buying a new home, it’s easy to assume that all the cleaning has already been done either by the construction company or the previous homeowner. It’s best to not take any chances and give your new home a deep clean before you start bringing your items in. You can also hire professional cleaners to tackle this task for you – expect to pay around $500 to have an empty property deep cleaned.
Special attention should be paid when it comes to kitchens and bathrooms, but you should also tackle any areas and appliances that may only seem clean (dryers, dryer vents, carpets, chimneys, etc.). After that, create a maintenance and cleaning schedule. Write down everything that needs to be done on a monthly basis so that you don’t forget it. These tasks include cleaning the gutters and air filters, doing pest inspections, emptying water heaters, and winterizing your home.
Introduce yourself to your new neighbors
Connecting with your neighbors when moving into your new place can be beneficial in many ways. You can learn a lot of useful information by simply interacting with people next door, and they can also watch your home for you when you are away.
You can also make some new friends and develop meaningful, long-lasting relationships – all it takes is making a friendly introduction.
Wrapping up
You may have the keys to your new place, but there are some important things to do before you settle in. Tackle these things early on so you can move into your new home sans stress and worry-free.