What to Do Immediately After Buying a House + Free Checklist
What to Do Immediately After Buying a House + Free Checklist
Did you buy your first home and are lost on what to do next? Check out our guide on what to do immediately after buying a house and our free checklist.
The entire home-buying process is strenuous, and you may have focused all your time and energy on finding the perfect home. But what comes after closing on a home is just as important.
Whether you are moving cross country or town, once you're done basking in your achievement, it is time to cross items off your checklist. While it may be difficult as you move, it is essential to keep everything in order.
Many of these checklist items are worth doing before you move; the rest can be done before or after. Complete each item at your convenience, but remember they are best to do before to save yourself a headache when you get to your new home.
From the moving process to final inspections to decorating, it is easy to become overwhelmed. There are many steps to turn your new house into a home sweet home. But don't stress, as long as you follow this checklist after buying a house.
Keep reading to learn about what to do immediately after buying a house.
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1. Make Copies of All Documents
During the move, there are many things to keep track of, from pets to personal items to essential documents. After closing on your new home, make multiple copies of all the documents.
The county record clerk should have a copy, but it is not a bad idea to keep one for yourself, just in case.
While doing this, paying close attention to your mortgage is helpful. Make sure you know the amount due, the due date, and how to pay so you can focus on what is really important.
The best thing you can do after buying a house is to keep yourself organized. This might seem a little tricky at first, but as long as all your important house documents are secure, you're on the right path.
2. Change Your Locks
After getting the keys from your real estate agent, change your locks as soon as you can. These keys were likely primarily in the hands of multiple realtors, prospective buyers, and previous owners.
Securing your home should be one of your top priorities. This includes the garage, back, front, and side doors. This is also an excellent opportunity to walk around the house and check all exits.
Many homeowners purchase a security system to keep their family extra safe once they are all moved in.
3. Schedule a Deep Clean
Ideally, you should have the opportunity to schedule a deep clean before you move all of your items into the home. This way, you won't have to worry about trying to clean and unpack simultaneously.
The previous owners cleaned the majority of homes, but you still should clean before you move in.
However, if you don't get the chance to clean before then, schedule a deep house clean as soon as you can. This doesn't have to be an expensive task; it is your home, after all. A great way to save extra cash is to have professional cleaners focus on the most used rooms, such as the bathrooms, kitchen, or living room.
If you decide to clean your home yourself, consider cleaning before unpacking. This way, all your belongings will be easy to move, and once you have finished cleaning one room, you can unpack.
4. Set Up Your Utilities
In order to avoid stepping into your new home and none of the light switches work, ensure you set up all your utilities. This includes gas, water, electricity, waste collection, and the internet.
You will already have a lot to keep track of, and you won't want to deal with any potential utility problems after arriving at your home.
5. Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Confirm that the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working correctly. You can install new batteries or replace the system if necessary. You might want to add more smoke detectors, which is something to bring up during the inspection.
Most fires start in the kitchen or laundry room, so you should ensure smoke detectors are installed in these areas and ensure each floor has at least one smoke detector.
Keep records of any minor or major problems in case you will need to schedule maintenance.
6. Change Your Address
As one of the most important but one of the most annoying processes, changing your address is extremely important. You will most likely be mailed many important documents.
After moving, you should head to your local post office and change your address. If you aren't able to do this right away, set up mail forwarding so you'll receive any mail that was sent to your old house.
Don't forget to update your address on your driver's license or state-issued ID, voting registration, banking, insurance, and subscription deliveries.
7. Review Your Inspection Report
Take a look at your inspection report and make a note of any repairs the previous owner wasn't contractually obligated to fix. Once you have moved into the home, you might notice further repairs that are needed, and you can get those completed.
Prioritize projects in order of importance and stay on top of safety and functionality repairs first. Any minor repairs can be completed at a later date, which will save you the headache of unpacking while repairs are being conducted around the house.
The price of a home inspection may vary, but it is extremely necessary. This is why an unexpected savings account is extremely important.
As you review your inspection report, familiarize yourself with your home. This means identifying where the circuit box, HVAC system, emergency shut-offs, and the main water line are located.
8. Unpack and Stock up
Take inventory of all you have, what might have gotten lost on the way, and what you need to buy. First off, ensure you know where your most valuable items and emergency supplies are. Before moving, it is best to keep these items in an easy-to-reach place and unpack them first.
No one likes unpacking after moving, but there are some ways to make the process easier and faster. When packing everything up at your old house, put everyday items in one box and unpack that first. Or you could unpack as you clean room by room.
Take your time, and remember that everything does not need to be done at once. Start small and work your way up to larger tasks like stocking your kitchen or garage. As you unpack, take note of items you don't have and set aside time to pick them up.
This part is all up to your priorities and your schedule. There is no need to rush the unpacking process; it is a new house, and you may find better places to store items than you had at your old home.
9. Meet the Neighbors
You may have already met a couple of neighbors at an open house or while moving, but if you haven't, it is a great idea to introduce yourself. You will want to create a sense of community in your new neighborhood.
Building connections with those around you is one of the best things you can do after buying a house. Your neighbors can help you find local restaurants, give you information on the HOA, and more. If you are feeling too shy to introduce yourself in person, try joining an online neighborhood group or downloading a neighborhood app.
Your neighborhood might host events or clubs to join. This creates an easy way for you to meet the people living around you. If not, you can always host your own housewarming party if you feel comfortable letting new neighbors into your home. Again, this is all at your own pace. If you don't feel comfortable yet or are too overwhelmed with moving, then wait as long as you need.
10. Make Your House a Home
The final and most exciting part of being a homeowner is that you now have the freedom to decorate however you see fit. This is your time to boost curb appeal, remodel a room, or paint the walls. Whatever you want to change, now you can tackle it in your new home.
After the entire home buying and moving process, putting off any major renovations is okay. Start small by moving in your furniture, and then you can decide whether or not to buy small decorations around the house.
Your home might change throughout the years, and you'll have plenty of time to make significant changes in the future. The best part of decorating is you have the freedom to do as much as you want; remember, this doesn't have to be a large or expensive task.
FAQ: What to Do Immediately After Buying a House
Here are some commonly asked questions about what to do immediately after buying a house.
What is the first thing you do after closing on a house?
The first thing you should do after closing on a house is make copies of all your important documents. The country record clerk should have a copy, but ensure you have one for yourself in case of any emergency or unexpected issues.
What not to do after closing on a house?
First, you shouldn't skip out on the home inspection; this is extremely important before you fully move into your new home. Keep track of important documents and update the provider with your new address.
How much money should you have left after buying a house?
There is no exact number you should have saved after buying a home, but saving at least 9-12 months' worth of living expenses is recommended.
Can a loan be denied after closing?
This is rare, but it can be true that if lenders find any major changes to your credit, income, or cash to close, they may deny your loan even after closing.
What is the 3X rule for buying a house?
The 3X rule recommends not buying a house for more than three times your income. This is a great rule of thumb to ensure you don't buy a home you cannot afford.
What to Do Immediately After Buying a House - The Bottom Line
There will be plenty to think about during the home buying and closing process. Don't worry if you make common mistakes along the way, as long as you find the perfect home for your family, lifestyle, and budget.
The absolute best thing you can do after buying a house is to stay organized. This means keeping a checklist, purposeful packing, and more. Think of your future self and what you can do now to save yourself a headache later on.
Don't forget to celebrate. Buying a home is a huge accomplishment, and you should be more than proud of yourself for making one of the biggest investments of your life. Enjoy your new home, meet your new neighbors, and celebrate yourself.
Once you have everything in order, you are all set to find the best home in the best location. Raleigh, NC, is one of the fastest-growing areas in the country and has many beautiful homes for sale; you'll have to act fast if you want to buy your dream home in one of Raleigh's best neighborhoods.
Before you buy your next home in the Triangle, feel free to contact one of our helpful real estate specialists, as they are eager to help you find the perfect home. We know that buying a home can be overwhelming, so make sure you are prepared beforehand.
Ryan Fitzgerald
Hi there! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for visiting our Raleigh Real Estate Blog! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I'm a REALTOR® in Raleigh-Durham, NC, the owner of Raleigh Realty. I work alongside some of the best Realtors in Raleigh. You can find more of my real estate content on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and more. Realtor Magazine named me a top 30 under 30 Realtor in the country (it was a long time ago haha). Any way, that's enough about me. I'd love to learn more about you if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram or connect with our team at Raleigh Realty. Looking forward to connecting!
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