Buying your first house will likely be one of the most exciting events in your life. It’s a symbol of all your hard work throughout your life and career that got you to this point — especially as the cost of purchasing a home is at an all-time high. After you go through all the steps of finally accruing the place, you’re probably ready to rest on your laurels and start your new life. But what do you need to know as a new homeowner?
As you’re moving in and settling into your first permanent living space, there are a few things you should do before truly being done with the process. Here are five things you need to know as a new homeowner so you can make the most of your first year in your house.
1. Save All Your Documents
The home-buying process probably left you with a bunch of paperwork you’re ready to get rid of at the first opportunity. However, you’ll likely need to hold onto those papers longer than you want. Each of these documents is vital for a different reason — some of which may not come into play until later — so you should keep all of them just in case. You never know when something will become necessary.
For instance, perhaps you decide to insulate your garage because doing so can provide a significant return on investment and the room is a bit chillier than you’d like. When you go to sell or refinance the home, you can speed up the process by having documentation of such renovations. Keep the papers in two places so you’ll always have a backup — one set in an organized lock box and the other in a digital format.
2. Prep Your Utilities
When you move into an apartment, setting up your utilities is pretty simple, but you’ll need to prepare well in advance for a house before moving day. Otherwise, you’ll end up freezing or sweltering on move-in day — depending on what season you move in — while trying to navigate in the dark.
You’ll need to figure out who your providers are first. Then, check in with them two weeks before your moving date to set up new accounts in your name and let them know when you’ll need power, gas or electricity. Visit your home a day or more before moving day to ensure all the utilities you need are active. In addition, take this time to look up your local trash and recycling regulations.
3. Check Out Your Appliances
If you’re buying a new-to-you house, the people who lived there before you may have been so kind as to leave you a few devices. This might be especially helpful to new homeowners, as it helps you avoid buying the pricer items like dishwashers and laundry machines. You should visit the place before heading to the appliance store and see what — if any — devices you have.
You’ll also need to make sure they work. The previous owners might’ve left you a clothes dryer, but it’s not exactly practical if it won’t turn on. This visit is also an excellent time to take measurements and see if the appliances you already have will fit in the space. Once you move in, double check the devices you moved and make sure they still work — or file a claim if you purchased moving insurance and the movers damaged them.
4. Change Your Address
If you’ve never changed your address before, it’s an essential step to take so any mail you get goes to the right place. Thankfully, this is probably one of the easiest parts of having a new home. All you need to do is visit the United States Postal Service website and input your new address. There will be a small charge for doing this online, which is an identity verification fee.
If you feel like saving a few cents — understandable after buying a house — you can simply visit your local post office and ask for the Mover’s Guide packet. The form that will change your address is PS Form 3575. Once you submit it, you should get a confirmation letter in the mail within five business days. The benefit of changing your address online is you’ll get an email confirmation immediately.
5. Secure Everything
Either before you move in or shortly after, it’s imperative to ensure everything is secure. Find the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and see if they work. Also, take a moment to find the fuse box and water shut-off valve. If there’s already a security system, you should make sure you know how to operate that, as well.
It’s also time to change the locks. While you would like to assume no one you don’t know has a key to your home, you never know — especially if your house isn’t new. You should also reset any keypad codes if the place has them. Verifying the security in your new space can help you feel much safer and make it feel more like your own.
Settle Into Your New Home With Ease
After signing all the papers to buy a house, you still need to do a few more things. Check out this list to ensure you’re ready to settle into your new home with ease. Then, you can relax and celebrate this thrilling achievement.