You likely deal with non-stop stress and headaches when buying a new home. You have forms to fill out, meetings to go to, and people to meet at the home to ensure it’s in good condition. That’s why when you finally sign the papers and get the keys, you’re probably chomping at the bit to get in. However, you should do a few things after buying a new house before you move in.
Change the Locks
Despite what might be relayed to you by the sellers, you honestly have no idea who has a key to your home. You have appraisers, realtors and home inspectors who need access to your home and who could all easily make a copy of the key. Instead of hoping that no one will randomly enter your home one day, you should contact a locksmith and have them change the locks. You’ll feel much safer once you know exactly who has access to your home.
Call an Electrician
Electrical fires are one of the leading causes of fires in a home. When you buy a new home, you have to rely on the sellers’ word that everything is okay. While you might have had a home inspector check that the lights and outlets work, they are not trained to pick up the subtle cues of potential problems like an electrician is.
Furthermore, if you want to install new light switches or change out ceiling lights, you’ll want to have an electrition do it for you. Electrical installation and maintenance are serious matters, so you should never attempt to do them yourself.
Clean the Home
The best time to clean your new home is before you start moving your things into it. You can reach every nook and cranny when you have a blank slate and ensure that everything is up to your specifications. Plus, you’ll find that the cleaning is done much quicker when you are not constantly moving your things around to access different areas.