After a few months of planning, research and saving you have finally reached your home ownership  goal. You are officially a homeowner – congratulations! 

But you should be careful!  Even though your closing is complete, there is still a lot of work to do. From the logistics of moving your things to learning the new lay of the land, there is a variety of things new homeowners need to buy and do. 

To help you plan it out, we have compiled a list of what to do when you move into a new home.   

Plan your move.

Secure the sufficient assistance to move your items to the new place and make sure to have a backup plan in case the unexpected happens.

Get connected to your resources. 

Connect with your utility and service providers to connect services in your new place under your name. Be sure to include gas, electric, phone, cable, water, internet and other services you rely on every day. Make sure to not forget to also schedule the shut offs for your previous location, if this applies.

Forward your mail to your new address.

File a change of location form with your local post office to begin the process. This can take up to two weeks to complete, so start this off early. 

Stock up the emergency fund. 

As a new homeowner, when an item breaks, you will need to fix it. Make sure your emergency savings takes into account for this change. 

Clean your house. 

This is a much easier task when the home is empty. If it is possible, you should hire a cleaning service to get a professional deep cleaning.

Change your door locks. 

One of the initial things to do after closing on a home is change all the locks and make spare keys. Who knows how many copies the owner before you has! 

Prepare for the worst outcomes. 

Locate and test the items you will need in case of an emergency, including the fire extinguishers, main breaker and alarms.

You should also check the warranties and manuals for any previously owned appliances and have your yard marked for utilities underground. Make sure that your family talks about a new emergency preparedness plan and escape routes in the event of an evacuation. 

Spray around your home for pests. 

Get rid of unpleasant surprises and hire an exterminator to spray your exterior and interior for bugs. 

Click here to learn the strategies millennials are using to purchase a home!

Look around the land. 

Take time to tour your new neighborhood and meet your new neighbors. You will most likely learn when your garbage and recycling days are, the best local shops and services to use, and maybe even make a few nice friends. 

Take a break.

Don’t underestimate your move to your new home. Even with professional home movers, moving can definitely be overwhelming. Make sure schedule enough time off of work, and keep your weekends as free as possible until you are all settled in. 

Home planning is crucial to a successful and smooth move. Make sure you are in the know of all the things you will need to think about and take care of as a new homeowner. Utilize these new homeowner tips here to know in advance what to do when you move into a new home.

Do you have a question about homeownership? Click here to contact the Ryan Grant Team today!

Courtesy of Cuselleration