Buying a home is a major accomplishment that should be celebrated. Whether it is a first home or a second, the thrill of closing on a home never gets old. Knowing what to do when moving to a new house can relief a lot of stress and set you off on the right track.
Obtain a copy of all documents
Anyone that has gone through a real estate transaction will tell you that there is a multitude of documents that need to be signed in order to close. It is important to keep a file of all the documents in a place that’s easily accessible and secure. There are times where real estate documents need to be used as proof of ownership in a home. In unfortunate cases, you might need to use the documents in a lawsuit against the seller, brokers or contractors.
It is a good idea to verify ownership of the home after the close of a real estate transaction with the local county recorder office. A copy of the deed can be obtained from your local county assessor-recorder office in the event a copy is necessary.
Create a Moving Checklist
Having a plan and budget can relieve the pressure of moving once a home closes. In most cases, many people put their entire focus on completing the many tasks required to close on a home, but forget to create a moving checklist and begin scrambling once their home closes. Establishing a moving budget will help you effectively bid out the cost of the move and then plan accordingly.
Once a moving budget has been established, you can start the process of finding a moving company. This will also allow you to see if renting a truck and moving yourself with the help of family and friends is a better option. Once you have decided on hiring movers or moving yourself, make sure to keep track of all expenses associated with the move and keep a checklist to keep you on track.
Change the Locks
Multiple real estate agents have access to the keys of the house during the listing process. Therefore, when you move into your new home, it’s important that you change the locks to all doors of the home. Some buyers only focus on changing the locks of the front door. However, for security reasons it is recommended that all the entry doors into the home are changed on the property. This will ensure that any keys not delivered during closing or any copied keys wont work on the home.
Setup Utilities
Make sure to contact all utility companies to make sure that you can schedule the transfer of services when you need them. At times, utility companies might not have a technician available at the time that you need one. Therefore, this should be on the top of your to-do list so that this step is not completed late.
Notify companies and contacts about the move
Create a list of all the companies and contacts that will need your new address so that you don’t miss anything important while in your new home. This would include changing your address with your employer, financial institutions, streaming services, and family and friends. Also, contact your local usps to get your mail forwarded to your new address in case any information comes to your previous residence.
Meet Neighbors
Once you’ve moved into your home it’s a good idea to begin to meet your neighbors. An easy way to start meeting the people in your neighborhood is to take walks, do some outdoor work on your home, use your front porch. Spending a lot of time outdoors will give you the opportunity to get to know the people in your neighbor hood and build new relationships.
