The process of purchasing a home is a stressful, often tedious one. There are so many moving parts that it can feel as though something will go wrong at any minute. Moreover, the purchase of property is a big investment, a fact that is sure to cause you some stress.
The good news is that once everything is said and done, you will end up with the perfect new home for you and your family. It also marks the beginning of your time as a homeowner.
There are many things that you are now responsible for as the official owner of a property. Routine maintenance and upkeep of the property, staying on top of utilities and any HOA dues, and generally making the property as comfortable as possible are all things that are likely on your radar. However, there are a few important things that you will need to do on purchasing your new home that might not have occurred to you yet.
To make sure that you have all of your ducks in a row, so to speak, here are a few of the more important things that you will need to do once you purchase and move into your new home.
Insurance
There are several types of insurance that you might need to consider when you purchase your new property. Homeowner’s insurance is a given, as this is going to likely be a part of your mortgage policy. However, you should also look into the option of securing mortgage life insurance for yourself.
While homeowner’s insurance is what you need in the event that something goes wrong with your property, mortgage life insurance covers your family and loved ones if you pass away before the mortgage is paid back in full. Make sure that you speak to an insurance professional to make sure that you are getting the coverage that you need.
Change the Locks
To maximize your sense of security in your new home, it is a good idea to change out all of the locks to the main points of entry. Even if a seller has given you all of the keys that they have, you never know who has made a copy or has access to a spare key. While it is highly likely that everything is above board, it is still a good idea to cover as many bases as possible when it comes to the security of your family.
You might even consider installing some sort of smart lock with a camera on your door. These can give you an added layer of security so that you can monitor your front door even when you aren’t home.
Change Your Address
There are many official documents and items that have your home address on them. You should set aside an afternoon at least for the purpose of changing your address on all relevant documents.
Your driver’s license, banking information, and doctor’s office are just a few of the things that you should have on your list in this regard.
