Have you just bought your new home? Congratulations! If you did, you probably told all your friends and family that you’ve finally bought your new home. But what are some things to do after buying a house?
Once you go into your new house though, you find many tasks ahead as a first-time home-buyer.
The things to do after buying a house include securing your home, checking the utilities, and buying emergency needs.
Buying a new home is just the start! With that said, here’s what to do after buying a house:
Secure Your Home
Now that you have the keys to your new humble abode, remember that others may have it too.
Perhaps the previous homeowners entrusted spare keys to people they know, or other strangers have duplicates too. Regardless, you have to make sure no strangers have access to your dream home.
Replace every lock the owners installed with yours. Check if they have electronic security devices, and ask how you could change their security codes.
Other things to do after buying a house include inspecting your doors and windows. Check if they have any signs of structural weakness. If they seem easy to breach, either repair or replace these openings.
After all, new locks won’t make a difference if your door easily breaks!
This is one of the first things to do after buying a house. Everyone should always take their home security seriously.
Change Your Address
Another important part of what to do after buying a home is updating your registered address.
Aside from your family and friends, you need to inform other private and public institutions about your new place of residence. Some need your address so they can continue providing you their services.
For example, your favorite online retailers need your new address, so they won’t deliver to the old one instead.
It’s one of the things to do after buying a house that could have legal ramifications. Government offices required everyone to notify whenever they’ve changed their addresses.
For instance, you must update your registered address with the IRS and the post office.
Otherwise, or you might miss bills for credit cards and other payments. As a result, you might not repay on time, resulting in late penalties or legal action.
Inspecting the House
Real estate agents hire a professional to inspect homes before it’s finally purchased.
Still, rechecking the inspection report should be included in what to do after buying a house. It’s better to find out what must be fixed or replaced early. Or else, you might discover them after they break down when you truly need them.
For example, you should check the water heater for any leaks or damages. More importantly, it must be free of any potential contaminants.
A broken water heater doesn’t just mean you won’t be having warm water. You risk ingesting harmful bacteria when your water heater has problems.
This is one of the things to do after buying a home that ensures your personal and financial safety.
Getting Home Warranty
The next logical step in what to do after buying a home is acquiring a home warranty.
After you’ve repaired or replaced your utilities, it could help you save money in fixing them again. As long as they’re covered, the warranty could reduce your repair costs.
Even better, you’ll have an easier time finding qualified repair contractors compared to looking for them yourself.
If you fix your home’s mechanical systems yourself, you’ll waste excessive amounts of time. Worse, your do-it-yourself approach could damage those utilities further.
It’s one of the things to do after buying a home that’s truly a good idea!
Purchase Emergency Supplies
In terms of what to do after buying a house, having backup supplies is an absolute must. There are numerous unforeseen circumstances that everyone should be prepared for, just in case.
No matter who you are, there will always be something that could go wrong.
Calamities such as earthquakes and storms could devastate your neighborhood with little warning. If your utilities break, you should store items and tools for contingencies.
Particularly, daily life has become unpredictable due to this year’s COVID-19 pandemic. Governments have implemented lockdowns to mitigate contamination, but it has disrupted the economy and other facets of society.
It’s another one of those things to do after buying a house that promotes your safety. Emergency supplies ensure that you could continue access to basic needs despite any negative circumstances.
Of course, we don’t mean that you should expect the worst in the coming days. Nevertheless, a few extra supplies could help significantly in an emergency.
You may check the American Red Cross or other authorities for further information.
Come Up With a Maintenance Schedule
Here’s what to do after buying a house that you must continually repeat: maintenance.
Every part of your new home is bound to degrade in the long run. Some electrical wirings could fray eventually, and those your brand new plumbing will have leaks some day.
No matter their quality and durability, objects wear and tear. That’s why you have to conduct routine check-ups on your home.
Here is the usual schedule for home maintenance planning:
Monthly
- Clear all doorways and other paths of any clutter
- Make sure your locks and handles are in proper condition
- Ensure all lights glow properly, and replace them if necessary
- Test your home security system
Every 3 to 6 Months
- Cleaning your gutters and downspouts
- Check for leaks in your toilet, sinks, and tubs
- Clean the venting system of your clothes dryers
- Replace air filters according to their manufacturer ratings
Every 6 to 12 Months
- Request inspections for your central air system
- Check your propane tanks and replace them when needed
- Clean outdoor items and appliances
- Change the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector
Every Year or When Needed
- Hire a professional to check your roof for damages
- Weatherize your home with insulation and other means
- Check for broken paths to see which ones need repairs or replacement
- Clean your basement, attic, and garage whenever necessary
Request for professional assistance for repairs, and use high-quality replacements for faulty equipment. Experts could properly fix and deep clean your stuff, and they may even recommend ways to improve your home.
Since you’re learning things to do after buying a house, you value your home significantly. If that’s the case, you should give the utmost quality for your humble abode.
Learn More about New Purchases
What is the first thing to do when buying a house?
Make sure to have a home inspection before purchasing a house. Make sure there aren’t any problems with the utilities and the other parts of the property.
Is now a good time to buy a house in 2020?
According to Forbes, 2020 is not an advisable time for home purchases. Most homes cost so much more that it renders their lower interest rates negligible.
What is the first thing to do when moving into a new house?
Check the utilities for any problems and secure the entrances with new locks and mechanisms. Make sure everything on the inspection report was covered, and no stranger has access to your home.
What’s the average time it takes to buy a house?
It could take several years or months before you could purchase a home. This depends on several factors such as personal finance and the national economy.
What to expect after buying a house?
Anticipate performing numerous tasks such as conducting repairs, preparing emergency supplies, and performing regular maintenance. Also, you’ll have to update your registered addresses and acquire a warranty for your home.
