Welcome to Your New Property: Next Steps

You bought a home! Congratulations!

Now what?

The process of buying a home can be an emotional rollercoaster for some. While the close of escrow might feel like the finish line of a race, it's far from the end of the work for homebuyers. Sure, you can revel in your success a bit and enjoy the fruits of your hard worked labor: from scouring the MLS to find your property, to negotiating a competitive offer, to following through with escrow. NOBODY will blame you for wanting to bask in your big achievement. But, we would be remiss to not mention what comes next...

Take Care of Housekeeping Items

Change Locks and/or Keypads

Purchase agreements require sellers to turn over all of their keys to the new buyers. However, sellers may not realize how many lost, stolen or unreported keys may be in circulation, whether from when they were in possession of the home or from previous owners. It's always a good idea to change out the locks, or have locks rekeyed so that you ensure the security of your home and give yourself peace of mind. Additionally, if your home has any keypads for doors or gates, you should reprogram the key codes on those as well.

Test Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors

Some housekeeping items are more urgent than others. You should test your home's carbon monoxide and smoke detectors as soon as you can. The safety of everyone who inhabits or visits the home depends on functional detectors. Test these out as soon as possible and have defective detectors and/or batteries replaced when necessary.

Check Your Water Heater

Generally speaking, your water heater would have been inspected during your initial home inspection before closing on your home. However, before closing you can't drain the water heater and adjust the settings, two tasks that might be necessary after moving in.

Remember to set the water heater temperature according to your safety needs, and adjust the pressure to your preferences. You can find plenty of information online about ideal settings to save on your energy bill and preserve your water heater.

Locate Circuit Breakers and Shut Off Valves

To prepare for emergencies, you should always be aware of where your electrical circuit breakers and shut off valves are located. Doing so can significantly limit the damage done to your home if you have, for example, a plumbing or electrical emergency. On occasion, your home inspection report may list where these are located to assist in your search.

Plan for Maintenance

Owning a home comes with lots of increased responsibilities. It's important to create a list of everything that will require regular or periodic maintenance. Some things you might include are:

- Landscaping or Gardening

- Pool Cleaning and Inspection

- Fireplace Maintenance

- HVAC and Heating/Furnace Maintenance

- Roof & Gutter Inspection

Use Your Home Inspection Report as a Project List

Your home inspection report will have itemized everything that is not functioning properly or needs maintenance. Use this report to tackle repair projects in your new home. Reports will often even list systems and appliances that should be regularly or routinely inspected and maintained for optimum performance.

Settle into Your New Home

Make Copies of Keys and Important Documents

If you went ahead and changed out your locks, your new locks likely came with a few sets of keys. You may still need or want additional copies of keys depending on how many members inhabit your household, if you plan to lend some out to family for safekeeping, or to keep backups on hand in case of emergencies or should any keys get lost.

Additionally, you'll want to make copies of all of the important documents that were provided upon the purchase of your home and place them somewhere for safekeeping like a safe deposit box or a fireproof safe. The important documents to copy and keep hold of are: Buyer's agent and purchase agreement, including any amendments; promissory note; seller and closing disclosures; home inspection report; title insurance policy; and the property deed.

Start Utility Services

Contact your local utility services and have service started at or transferred to your new address. Your main utilities to consider are:

- Electric

- Natural Gas

- Water

- Wastewater/Sewer

- Trash Collection

- Telecommunications

- Security Systems

- Cable/Satelite TV

Change Your Address Information

A number of services, companies and individuals will want to know about your change of address. Make sure to follow up with each to inform them of your new address of record. Some services, companies and individuals to notify are:

- Insurance companies

- Your bank

- Utility companies

- Credit card providers

- Tax agencies

- The post office

- The DMV

- Your employer

- Subscription services

- Loan providers

- Other service providers, such as doctors, accountants, etc.

- Family and friends

Contact Local Schools

For those who have children, contacting the local school district and schools is a must. You'll want to find out all the details about your new school district and schools and know what you'll need to do to enroll your children. Even if your new home is within the same school district, you'll want to notify schools and the district of your new address so that any important information that is mailed out makes its way to you.

Meet the Neighbors and Learn about the Neighborhood

A major part of moving into a new home is getting to know your neighbors and neighborhood. Getting to know your neighbors can help build a sense of familiarity and adds a layer of safety for your home and family. Neighbors are often times the first line of security in a neighborhood, so a good relationship with neighbors can go a long way to protecting you, your family and your home.

In addition to getting to know your neighbors, you'll want to explore your new neighborhood and identify where important services, landmarks, institutions and amenities are located. You may want to find the nearest police and fire department, parks and recreational buildings, supermarket or shopping center, medical facilities, banks, post offices, auto shops, and city hall.