New Home Checklist
There are so many things to consider once you’ve bought your new home, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here’s a checklist to help prevent things from falling through the cracks.
1. Update your address
Updating your address is easier than you think! Go to www.usps.com/move and fill out their change of address form. Your mail will begin to arrive at your new address after roughly 7 business days. Also, consider sending a “We’ve Moved” mass email or a Paperless Post to close friends and family.
2. Change the address on your various accounts, documents, etc.
After you’ve changed your address for mail forwarding, consider updating all your important accounts, documents, and voter registration. Here is a list of items to change and entities to notify once you’ve closed on your home:
- License / car registration
- Voter registration
- Medical offices
- Notify Human Resources at your place of employment
- Bank / investment services
Moving.com has an excellent comprehensive list here.
3. Close the utility accounts at your old house and open utility accounts at your new house
Once you’ve closed on a home, your real estate agent should send you a list of contact information for the utility companies in your area. If they don’t provide you with this, be sure to ask as it is very helpful to reference and they’re there to assist you during this transition. Keep in mind most utility providers will only let the account owner open / close accounts.
4. Create a home maintenance schedule
Owning a home requires a lot of upkeep and preventative maintenance is a must! Get ahead of potential issues by identifying items that need to be serviced and when. Referencing the inspection you ordered is a good place to start. This will tell you things like the age of your roof, HVAC unit, etc. Below is an example of how to structure this schedule. You could also arrange it by listing items that need to be replaced every month, quarterly, six months, yearly, etc. Then add each item to your calendar to receive notifications, and nothing will get by you!
Creating a maintenance schedule not only helps you to stay on top of things, it also helps to familiarize you with the ins and outs of your home. Knowing where items like your fuse box or water main shut off are from the get-go will save you the extra hassle.
Item | Install Date | Service/Replace Date | Company | Notes |
Roof | 12/20/2015 | 12/20/2042 | ABC Roofing | 30-year lifetime |
Furnace | 2 years old | 12/20/2023 | ABC Heating & Cooling | Service every year |
Air Filter | 12/20/2022 | 3/20/2022 | ABC Filters | 555-555-5555 |
5. File away important documents from your sale
Be sure to save important information from the sale of your home so you can easily reference these items when needed. For example, you’ll need your settlement statement when filing your taxes.
6. Consider re-keying the locks and installing home security
Marie Dennis, a real estate agent at Ewing and Clark, always recommends re-keying locks to her clients after they’ve purchased a home. Many people tend to access a home prior to its sale – real estate agents, contractors, stagers, and other vendors.
Another way to feel safe in your new home is to install a security system. Your real estate agent can provide you with a list of companies to call and get quotes from. Consider asking your neighbors, as they may have trusted security company recommendations.
7. Meet your neighbors
Knocking on a strangers door can be intimidating, but rip off that band aid and go say hello! Bring a sweet treat or a note to introduce yourself (incase they aren’t home). You’ll hopefully find peace of mind knowing who your neighbors are and it’s an opportunity to get involved in your new community!
We know the home buying process can be incredibly overwhelming but we hope this list helps you to organize the chaos and feel confident and safe in your new home!
Looking for a home and wondering where to start? Contact us. There are many Seattle real estate companies, but Ewing and Clark has been providing Seattle real estate service since 1900. We represent both buyers and sellers throughout the Greater Seattle area. We are here to share our expertise with you.
