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If you’ve just bought a new home, congratulations — closing on a house in today’s market is certainly something to be proud of. Now that you’ve made it through house hunting, making the offer, the mortgage process and the closing, you might think it’s time to kick back, relax and enjoy your new place.
1. Secure the home.
The first thing you should do when you buy a house is change the locks, garage codes and access to any other entry points.
2. Purchase or review your home warranty.
Some homebuyers receive a home warranty purchased by the seller to cover the home’s major systems or appliances. (After all, the last thing a buyer wants to deal with is a broken dishwasher or HVAC unit.) If you received a home warranty, review the specifics so you know what’s covered and how to file a claim.
If you don’t get one with the house, consider purchasing one. “There are many home warranty companies in the marketplace that cover a variety of items,”
3. Connect Utilities.
Be sure to connect all of your must-have utilities — like water, gas and electricity — before you move in. This will help pave the way for a smooth move and ensure you have the essential necessities as you’re getting settled. No one wants to unpack boxes in the dark.
4. Check smoke and carbon alarms
To help ensure you and your family are safe in your new home, make sure all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working condition. This may include installing fresh batteries or replacing entire units.
Most home safety experts recommend checking and changing the batteries in your detectors every six months. If you keep a family calendar, it’s easy to set a reminder. Check with your local fire department for help, too; some offer free inspections and testing if you call the non-emergency line to schedule an appointment.
5. Check circuit box review shut offs and appliance manuals
Even if your new home isn’t brand-new, it’s new to you! So it’s vital to understand how things work. Make sure you know where the emergency shut-offs and circuit-breaker box are. If the box isn’t labeled, add labels to the individual circuits so you know which ones go to which room or appliance. And gather up all the appliance manuals for easy reference if needed.
