You finally did it. You bought your very first home. Congratulations?
Now what?
Update Your Budget
Buying a house is a big investment, but just because you’ve made the down payment doesn’t mean your work is done. You still have years of mortgage bills to worry about, after all. An online house payment calculator can help you figure out a budget going forward. Other costs to keep in mind include property taxes, home insurance, cottage insurance and utility costs.
Connect the Utilities
Speaking of utilities, making sure your house is up and running should also be a top priority before moving in. You’re not going to get far without electricity, running water, and heat, and nowadays reliable internet access is often equally important. Try to arrange for your utilities to be activated before you move in, otherwise the first night in your new house is going to be an uncomfortable one.
Protect Your Privacy
You didn’t buy your first house to share it with any stranger who wanders in, did you? Of course not. That’s why it’s important to make sure your privacy, your belongings, and your loved ones are well-protected. To start with, that means changing the locks. Just because the previous owner handed over the keys doesn’t mean there aren’t copies floating around out there. After that, you might want to think about installing a security system for extra safety.
Move Yourself In
What’s a house for if not living in it? Now that the negotiations are over and the property belongs to you, it’s time to start packing your things and moving yourself in. Depending on how far your new home is from your previous one, this can be quick and easy or long and difficult. If it’s the latter, consider hiring a professional moving service to make the process go smoothly.
Clean Up Everything
Before you get yourself situated in your new home, it’s a good idea to give the whole property a nice scrub-down. Once your furniture and other possessions are inside, it’s going to be a lot harder to get into all this hidden little nooks and crannies where dirt, dust, and other debris can build up over time. Take advantage of the time you have now for a top-to-bottom cleaning.
Work on Maintenace
Did you save a bunch of money by buying a fixer-upper? Smart thinking. Unfortunately, that means that before you can relax, you’ll need to take care of any important repairs and maintenance work. This include everything from simple DIY home improvement projects like tightening up leaky faucets to expensive professional jobs like total roof replacements.
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