You just signed a plethora of closing documents and finally handed the keys to your newly bought home... next is to move right in and get your home settled just the way you like it! Now you can relax (for a little bit anyways...)! Caring for your new home is an ongoing process and that process begins the day you move in... Here are some helpful tips to get your home ownership on the right track...
CHANGE THE LOCKS! You don't know how many copies of your house key are floating around out there. Newly constructed homes are the worst... any worker that had access to the home during the construction phase could possibly have a key to your home and could enter whenever they want. Change the locks on all outside doors or reprogram garage door openers. Also your security system (if you have one) will need to be re-coded.
LOCATE ALL SHUT OFF VALVES... Do you know how to shut of the main water, power and furnace in your new home? How about the valves to turn off the water for your toilets and sinks? Locate the electrical panel and make sure each breaker is labeled correctly.
GATHER A LIST OF PREVIOUS SERVICE PEOPLE: Know the electrician, plumber and fuel provider that has been to the home before. Keep that list somewhere that you would easily find in the middle of the night. For newly constructed homes... gather all the proper contacts for the builder and his providers.
SMOKE AND CO MONITORS... make sure they have battery backup. Set up a reminder to change the batteries periodically. Note... Smoke detectors need to be changed out every 8 years and CO monitors every 5 years.
SEASONAL MAINTENANCE... replace new filters in your heating & cooling system (HVAC) every 6 months to keep mechanicals clean and running efficiently. The furnace and chimney needs to be cleaned annually. Keep those gutters clean!
This is only the beginning! Take a deep breath and enjoy all that home ownership has to offer!