You’ve bought your new home, now what? Whether you’ve bought a brand new house or one that’s been previously lived in, there are a few things you need to do, some steps you have to take as a homeowner to make living there smooth and easy, especially for the first few months.
Here are some tips on what to do after buying a house.
#1 Change the locks
The first thing you need to do before moving into your new home is to change all the locks, especially the ones on doors that lead to the outside of the house as well as the locks for the gate. You might also want to snoop around for spare keys left outside the house so no one gets any ideas about trying to get in without you knowing. This is especially important if the house you just bought has been previously lived in. By not changing the locks, there’s nothing stopping the previous homeowners and whoever else had access to their house to enter.
#2 Set up the security system
Another important thing you need to do before moving into your new home is to set up the security system. Regardless of where your new home is located, you’re going to want to have your security system set up. Test to make sure all alarms are working before moving in. It’s better to have it in place and not need it than to need it and not have it in place. If the home already has a security system in place and you don’t have the budget for an overhaul yet, ask for the instruction manual or call up the security service provider and change all the codes. Make sure to notify them of the change in ownership, too, so no one else other than you can have access to the system.
#3 Buy a home warranty
Despite passing the home inspection, you still can’t be a hundred percent sure of what problems you’ll discover and what issues you might run into after moving in. This is why it’s always a good idea to have a home warranty for your new abode.
#4 Sort out the utilities
Water, electricity, cable, and internet -- these are some of the basic utilities you’re going to want to make sure are connected before you move in. Check to see the process for applying for utilities in the city you’re moving into. If the house you just bought has previously been lived in, chances are that you’ll only need to transfer the ownership of utilities to your name.
#5 Check the smoke and CO detectors
Are the units still in good working condition? Do the batteries need replacing? No need to burn something and hold it up against your detectors, there should be a test button on each unit that you can press to see if they’re still working.
#6 Make a list of things to repair, update, and maintain
Look back at that home inspection report and see which items you still need to take action on. Some might need total repairing, others just a bit of updating, and some just a little maintenance so they don’t cause issues later on. Try to observe what areas of the house needs TLC and make sure to add that to your list, too!
#7 Get to know your home from the inside out
The last thing you want when problems arise in your new home is to not know where anything is. Explore your home and see where the circuit breaker box is. Look for appliance manuals, review the emergency shut-offs, and map out possible emergency exits. Label everything that needs it and, if you have time, walk your family through everything as well.
Of course, there is going to be more stuff you need to do before you can finally kick back and enjoy your new home but just keep putting in that sweat equity and it’ll all pay off soon!