It’s over! The bidding war, the inspection, the waiting – it’s all over. You are now the proud owner of your new home. Congratulations! Yes, a celebration is in order…as is a quick review of items on your new home checklist. Here are a few things you should do right after closing on your home:
Replace the Locks/Keys
Sometimes we forget the simplest of details. While it may not be the first thing that comes to mind, the previous owners may have given keys out to family, friends, neighbors, and contractors,…. and it’s doubtful if they even remember to whom or have made an effort to collect them. It’s best to just go ahead and put new locks on the doors, replace the keys, and change any alarm or garage door codes.
Mark Main Water Shut Off Valve
Better to be safe than sorry! You never know when you may need to find the water shut off quickly in an emergency. The last thing you need is a flood in your home from burst pipes or a faulty sprinkler system because the value is not clearly marked. Like the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure.”
Replace Dryer Vent Hose
Here’s another one of those things that may not come to mind but is equally important. Similar to the locks/keys, you can’t be sure what the previous owners had done re: the dryer vent hose. It might not have been cleaned out or replaced recently. Since lint build up inside the vent hose can be a huge fire hazard, you should go ahead and replace the hose so you can rest easy.
Install Water Sensors
These handy devices will alert you in case of any leaks so you are aware before the problem gets out of hand. Install these sensors near the washing machine, dishwasher, and any other key areas as a preventative measure. It will sound an audible alarm when water is detected.
Mark Circuit Breakers
When you’re holding a flashlight to the main panel and trying to figure out which breaker covers what room, you’ll be happy you had already marked them all according to location. No need to have people stationed in different rooms reporting back as to whether you flipped the right switch or not! Doing this ahead of time is another simple step to make life a little easier when it comes to dealing with potential issues at home.
Summary of New Home Checklist Items
You might as well set yourself up for success from the moment you move in to your new place! Put this new home checklist into practice right after you close so you can spend more time celebrating and less time dealing with any preventable problems. Follow our blog for additional MA homebuyer tips.
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