Kudos! You have just closed on your new home. And although this is a huge milestone, there are still things that must be done.
We all know there are many steps to buying a house. However, there are several steps that buyers must take care of after closing before settling into their new home with true repose.
Here are five things to do right after closing on your home.
Most buyers know they should change the locks. Although all keys to your new home will be delivered to you at closing, you cannot be sure who still may have a spare key to your new home.
Many new homeowners either don’t want to spend the money on new locks or simply are overwhelmed and put this task on the backburner. Changing locks on your new home is the first thing you should do after closing. Changing locks on your new home should only cost you around $150 per lock, and you can sleep peacefully, which is priceless.
Make sure your vents are clean and both units are running efficiently. This is also a good time to change your furnace and AC filters. Filters need to be changed every three months to help improve the air quality in your home, save you money, and eliminate foul odors.
Your family’s health and well-being depend on your CO and smoke detectors functioning correctly. Never assume these monitors are in working order. You may need to replace the units or simply replace the batteries. Smoke detectors should have batteries replaced at least once a year; your CO detector batteries need to be replaced every six months.
Your home inspection should have included a check of the hot water heater in your new home. However, you won’t be allowed to drain the heater and adjust its settings until you take ownership of the house. Homeowners can easily do testing for the full functionality of the hot water heater.
You may have thought you were done with the never-ending paperwork after closing on your home. Unfortunately, that is not the case. However, making copies of your paperwork should prove to be painless.
Copy and secure important documents such as closing notices, homeowners and title insurance, purchase agreement, home inspection report, property deed, and disclosures.
Now that you have completed the necessary tasks after closing on your new home explore your new neighborhood and get to know your neighbors.
Meeting your new neighbors is a great way to feel more at home in your new community. Find the nearest gas station, grocery station, and mall. And now that you have handled your all-important business, check out some new restaurants and celebrate your closing.