For those buying a new home, they may feel like they have recently finished a marathon. There is a lot to do if you are looking for a home. Between meeting with real estate agents, securing a home loan, and completing all of the paperwork, new homeowners are usually tired by the time they get the keys to their new home. At the same time, even if you have your keys in hand, there are still other steps you need to take to make sure that your home is ready for new occupants.
Hook Up the Utilities
There is a good chance that your home does not have any utilities hooked up when you move into it. Therefore, it is important to contact local utility companies and get everything turned on. Some of these utilities may require people to come to your home. A few utilities that you need to activate include:
- Contact a local electrical company and make sure the electricity is turned on
- Give a call to the local water company and make sure your home’s plumbing system is running
- If your home has a gas line, you need to get the gas turned on as well
- You should research local cable and internet providers to make sure that you have internet, cable, and a landline if you need one
We’re guessing that you probably do not want to live in a house without utilities. Therefore, you need to make sure that these bills are switched over to your name as soon as possible.
Change Your Locks
You do not know if the previous homeowner has made copies of the keys. Therefore, to make sure your home is safe, you may want to change your locks. You also need to make sure that you reset the security code to your garage if you have one. Finally, if your home does not already have an alarm or a security system, you may want to get one installed. This may help you qualify for discounts on home insurance premiums.
Secure Home Insurance
If you did not already get home insurance through your lender, then you need to make sure that you protect this valuable asset. Many people purchase home insurance based on the value of the home they now own; however, this is usually not enough coverage. Remember that home insurance is designed to not only protect the structure of your home but also its contents. Therefore, you may want to schedule a home insurance inspection to make sure that you get enough coverage to protect your house. Remember that your home is a valuable investment. You need to make sure that you protect it with the right home insurance policy.
Say Hi to the New Neighbors
Finally, take a few minutes to say hi to your new neighbors as well. Even though some of your neighbors might swing by and welcome you to the neighborhood, some people might be too busy to do so. Try to take a few minutes and introduce yourself to your neighbors. If you go on vacation one day and want someone to watch your house, you want to make sure you have a positive relationship with the homeowners around you. They might even give you a welcome gift after you buy a new home!