When couples, or singles, buy their first home the excitement can be overwhelming. Many want to send out announcements to family and friends expressing their happiness. Whether you have bought a newly constructed home, or an already established one with its own character, the experience of first-time home ownership is the same. With the anticipation of the approaching moving day, there are several things that should be on your to do list before settling down for your first night’s sleep in your new home. You may not think of everything at once, but some things will take precedent over others.
- Change of address
You should go down to the local USPS, and register a change of address form. This can actually be done at least two weeks before moving day because it takes about that length of time to get the mail started at the new address. The Lincoln Park USPS is very efficient in handling these new address forms so that the process does not take an extremely long time. Whether you are moving into, or out of the area, the Lincoln Park USPS will get your mail switched from the old to the new in a very time appropriate manner.
- Change the locks
This is a very important step for new owners. Safeguard your safety and security by getting rid of the old locks that could have keys around in the hands of others. Another tip is to give your new home a thorough inspection to make sure that everything works properly.
- Get a homeowner insurance policy
Before, or shortly after, moving into your new home you want to ensure that you are covered against any losses with insurance. You will have movers traveling in and out, and although they are experienced, a fall could happen.
- Clean the house before moving in
You may want to go through the bathrooms and change out the toilet seats before moving in if the home has had previous owners. The best time to clean appliances is when there are no obstacles in the way. The oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, and other major appliances should be cleaned and sanitized even if they are brand new. When you get in the new home, you want to be assured that no other body parts have touched them but you and your family.
First time home ownership is a major event in life. Sometimes, you may feel like going to the house after all papers have been signed, and just sit and look around you. You may be in an incredible state of disbelief a first, but the reality of it all is that you are a home owner. It is not expected that you would know all of the things that need to be done right away, but as time goes on, you will get everything taken care of. In all of your excitement, you may also want to take pictures of the home, fixtures, the systems in the home, and other pertinent items in case there is something noticed later on that may not be quite right.