Congratulations!! You have officially closed!
Now what's next?
Here is a list of some of the first steps to take after closing on your new home.
1.Clean and Paint
The new owners hopefully left you with a clean home, but they probably didn't wipe down allllll of the surfaces - fans, window sills, baseboards, walls. So start by cleaning everything and prepping in case you want to freshen up with some new paint colors!
2. Change your locks
You may have gotten your keys at the closing table but you never know who else might have a spare from the previous owner (a neighbor, friend, house sitter etc.) so you'll want to update those to ensure you and your family are the only ones with the new keys. Check out an automatic combo lock too! They make it nice and easy- some even come with the ability to program a 1 day code for you to give out or each of your family members could have their own!
3. Turn your home inspection report into a to-do list
Reorganize what might have come up on your inspection report into things you can do yourself, and things you'll need to hire someone for. Getting ahead of your home maintenance will save you many headaches down the road!
4. Get your home related documents in order
Make sure you take the big packet of closing documents from your lawyer and label them so you don't accidentally misplace them! Put them in a safe spot so you can look back on them if you need to down the road. Save your realtors card and contact info so you can reach out to them if you need anything in the future (we also keep copies of everything for years)
5. Change your address
You will want to visit the post office or go online to do a change of address. You can also have your mail forwarded on the same screen. They will have you fill out 1 form for your household and it will stay with USPS for 6 months, but can be extended for up to 1 year. (you can also do this before you move and set your future move date) You will still want to change your address with each individual company that sends you regular mail as changing it at the post office doesn't just change it for every company you know.
You will also want to inform your bank, your credit card companies, your utility company, and any other business that you regularly get mail from.
6. Update your Drivers License or ID
You can stop at any local police department and get an address change sticker for the back of your ID. That is perfectly sufficient until your next DL expiration date
7. Pour yourself a glass of champagne and celebrate your new home!
You earned it.
Hopefully this will be helpful to you on your next move!
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