In this piece, we’d like to focus on the fun part. The wait is over, the house is yours, and now it’s time to make sure you keep things running smoothly..
We’ve pulled together some good “first steps” when moving into your new home. Some practical, some money saving, and some fun, but all important to check off the list before you get settled. You’ve come so far! Now, for the final stretch:
First and foremost, celebrate! You deserve it. Pop some champagne, have some friends over to look around, christen the fire pit in the backyard – whatever you do, just enjoy it for a little while. You worked hard for this moment so embrace it!
Change your locks. This is a top priority, especially if you’re moving your stuff (and yourself!) in right away. You never know how many people have keys to your home, and you don’t want to find out the hard way. While you’re at it, make a few extra copies and keep them on hand for emergencies.
Change your addresses too! Banks, online accounts, credit cards, employee contact information, postal services… the list is endless. Inevitably, you’ll forget to update it somewhere, but do your best to sit down after you move in and knock as many off the list as you can think of. And don’t forget to update your friends and family! You wouldn’t want to miss out on an invite or a holiday card.
Make copies of all your housing documents. One copy is not enough! You never know when things might get lost, stolen, or damaged, so we recommend putting the originals in a safe deposit box at the bank and keeping the copies somewhere safe at home (lock them up if you can!).
Locate the main water shut off. Just find it, that’s all. You’ll be glad you did when that first big plumbing problem hits (hopefully way down the road!) and you need to turn off the water in a flash.
Set your hot water heater to 120 degrees. This is another practical step that will also save you a ton of money! Most people never use water any hotter than this, so heating it up higher is like throwing money away. Plus, if there are children in the equation, you help lower their chances of an accidental burn.
Have an attic? Check the insulation. Add this to the money-saving tasks. This will also save you on heating in the long run. Adding a little extra insulation is a small price to pay if it knocks your monthly bills down a few notches. And maybe you don’t even need it! But definitely check so you’re sure this base is covered.
Pay your first mortgage. If you’re comfortable with auto-pay, definitely go that route. Forgetting to pay your mortgage is a big no-no, so put in the leg work early to get everything setup so it can all be smooth sailing moving forward.
Stock your tool belt. Go shopping for the essentials. If you don’t need them during the move (you probably will) you’ll definitely need them in the near future as you continue settling in. Here’s a list to get you started:
- Hammers
- Screwdrivers
- Nails and screws
- Wrenches
- Pliers
- Tape Measure
- Power Drill and Drill Bits
- Assorted tapes
Lastly… be social! Walk around the neighborhood and strike up a few conversations. Your neighbors are likely just as excited to see who just moved in as you are and to become acquainted with everyone in the community.
Before you head out, brainstorm some ways you can pick their brains: When is trash day? Do plows come through when it snows? Are there any community events or groups you can join? What are the best local spots to eat or grab a drink?
There are also community engagement apps and websites like NextDoor which will keep you updated digitally. You can exchange numbers with neighbors, submit crime or incident reports, promote events – it’s an easy and convenient way to stay current on your neighborhood.
So there you have it! By checking these things off the list, you’ll be off to a great start. Owning a home is definitely a lot of work, but tackling things one step at a time can keep you on track and make you feel confident about the investment you’ve made. And if you made that investment with us, we’re sure you have a lot to feel confident about!