First-time homebuyers in the Tri-state area get plenty of help from Realtors and mortgage brokers during the search and purchase phases of buying a home, but what should you do after you close?
As soon as you move in, there are a few tasks you should consider completing to help keep your home comfortable and family safe. To help you transition to the status of new homeowner, consider adding the following items to your to-do list.
Home maintenance checklist
You should regularly check, clean and test a wide variety of interior and exterior systems and structures. A robust home maintenance list can help keep your home functioning at an optimal level and save you time and money in the long run.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has an online home maintenance checklist to help you get started with the basic guidelines for keeping different areas of your home in the best shape.
Keep documents organized
As a new homeowner, you’ve likely gathered a mountain of paperwork, whether printed or digital. Make sure to keep track of all the documents related to your home purchase, appliances and insurance.
You might need to have those documents handy for future tax preparation or to keep track of the items in your home that might need to be replaced or repaired in the future.
Prepare emergency kit
You don’t have to wait for seasonal storms or wintry weather to prepare your home and family for an emergency. In the event of a natural disaster, basic services such as electricity, gas or water, might be cut off for days, or even weeks, so you should be prepared.
The Department of Homeland Security recommends stockpiling at least three days’ worth of food and water for your family. Visit ready.gov for a list of suggested items to include in a basic emergency preparedness kit.
Change the locks
If you bought an existing home, you should rekey the locks right away. You never know who the previous owners gave keys to. The National Crime Prevention Council recommends purchasing high quality locks that have a long enough bolt so the door cannot be pried open. If you don’t have a deadbolt on your doors, now is a good time to install one or hire a locksmith.
Improve energy efficiency
Even if you’ve purchased a brand-new home with the latest energy-efficient building materials and techniques, there are still some improvements you can make to save even more money on utility bills.
For example, you can install a programmable thermostat that can be set to automatically adjust the heat or air when the home is most or least used. Visit energystar.gov to learn about more opportunities improve your home’s efficiency.
Ready to set up your new home? Visit www.HBAGC.net to find professionals who can help.