14 Things Houston First Time Home Buyers Should Do After Closing On Their Home

• Hello and welcome to Houston First Time Home Buyers Edition, formally, First Home Houston, where we provide useful information to help Houston first time home buyers make the most informed decision when it comes to buying, decorating, and maintaining their first home. The process is over; all the documents have been signed. You have received the keys to your first home. Congratulations! on the purchase of your new home. What now? Well, one of the first things you will do after collecting your keys, is turn on your utilities or have them transfer. If you purchased a brand new home, the builder will typically give you about 3 days to transfer your utilities. Next,

• Hire a professional moving company and don’t forget to do a change of address.

• Take a copy of your closing statement to the post office to get your mail box key, if you purchased a brand new house.

• Take a moment to familiarize yourself with where thing such as water shut off and breaker box are located.

• If you purchase a brand new home, place the contact numbers you receive at the final walk through in an easy to remember location.

• Check the water heater.

• Make sure to change the pass codes for all smart devices that comes with the home.

• Check to make sure the previous owners no longer have access to cameras and other security devices.

• You may want to change out all your locks.

• Update your driver's license and contact information with banks, credit card companies, your student loan company, magazine subscriptions, your employer, cell phone, cable, schools, dentist, physician and your accountant.

• Contact your car insurance company to update your new address.

• Make sure your closing documents are safely stored. Your agent or title company does not have copies of your closing documents.

• If you purchase an existing home, please review your home warranty- this will ensure you do not get caught off guard for expensive repairs.

• Set up your mortgage payment online to help ensure on time payments.

After closing on your new home, there will be a lot to get done. If you purchase an existing home, you may have a bit more things to do like clearing your gutters, deep cleaning the home before moving in.

To avoid from being overwhelmed, a to-do-list will work great. Also, keep in mind, decorating your new home exactly the way you want it may take a bit of time, but for right now, take care of the basics so there are no surprises.

As always, thank you so much for stopping by. Remember, if you are thinking of purchasing your first home, please contact us. We are here to help. We have been helping Houston first time home buyers since 2011 and we can help you. I hope you have an amazing day. Until next time...Diana