You Bought a House! Now What?

Utilities

If your utilities aren’t on, you won’t be able to fully enjoy your home on day one. Make sure your water and electricity are scheduled to be connected at least a day before your closing date. For your cable and internet, you might have to be present at your new home to have those connected but you can at least schedule your appointments ahead of time. Also, don’t forget to call and let all your providers know that you need to disconnect all utilities and services from your old home. Make sure to do this ahead of time and have the disconnection date scheduled for a day or two after you move out in case you need that extra wiggle room.

Change Your Locks

Changing your locks is one of the first things you should do because you don’t know who previously had a key to your new home. You can choose to rekey the locks or change them out completely….the choice is yours, but definitely don’t keep using the same keys! Also, if the garage has a code, make sure to change that too. Don’t forget to make a spare key and place it in a safe place for emergencies!

Deep Clean

Before you begin to unpack and settle in, make sure to do a deep clean of your home. Most home sellers are too worried about packing and moving out by the closing date to thoroughly clean the home before moving out.

Change Your Address

There are many places that need your new address aside from your friends, employer and IRS. Here is a list of them:

• DMV-update your driver’s license
• Your employer
• Schools or daycares
• Voter’s registration
• Your banks
• Credit Cards
• Insurance Company
• Doctor’s Offices
• Subscriptions
• Delivery Apps

Also, side note, don’t forget to contact the post office to have your old mail forwarded while you notify all of the above.

Smoke Detectors

Make sure that your smoke detectors have new batteries and are in working conditions, most are only good for about 10 years. You should have smoke detectors in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home. If there are no bedrooms in a certain area or level, install one in the living room or near a stairway.  And finally, check to make sure all your smoke detectors also have a built in carbon monoxide detector, if not get new ones. Safety first!

Finally

Once you’ve done all of the important, responsible and necessary stuff, it’s time to do the fun stuff! Unpack, settle in, get to know your neighbors and your neighborhood! Congrats on your new home!

Questions? I'll be happy to schedule a call with you at your convenience to answer any additional questions you may have.

Carmen Buenrostro

Real Estate Broker | Co-Founder

Silverback Realty, LLC

San Antonio & Surrounding

C: 210-712-9068

carmen@silverbackrealtysa.com