Move In & Beyond

Settle into your new home and learn the ropes of homeownership.

Congratulations, you are officially a homeowner! Now the real work begins: moving in and maintaining your investment. Before you move all your furniture in, consider knocking out major projects that are much easier to do in an empty house, such as refinishing hardwood floors, painting walls, or professionally cleaning the carpets.

As soon as you take possession of the home, change all the exterior locks, update your address with the post office, and transfer all utility accounts into your name. Locate the main water shutoff valve and the electrical breaker box so you know exactly where they are in an emergency.

Finally, transition from a home buyer mindset to a home owner mindset. Set aside money every month into a dedicated home maintenance fund. Create a seasonal maintenance calendar to remind yourself to change HVAC filters, clean the gutters, and service your mechanical systems. Taking care of your home will protect its value for years to come.