Tips For New Homeowner

Change Your Address

Start forwarding for mail right away with the Post Office. But some places you may not think to notify and they may only mail you something once a year. Places like:

• Tag agency to change it on your vehicles and Drivers Licenses

• Voter Registration

• Employer for tax forms

• Licensing / certification boards

• Schools, Civic organizations, and churches

• Doctors

SECURITY & SAFETY

Change locks. Spares could be floating around anywhere.

Reset the key codes for garage doors, gates, etc. The former owners might have trusted half the neighborhood.

Test fire and carbon monoxide detectors. Who knows when the last time was. Definitely install them if there are none.

Check the temperature on your water heater, especially if you have young ones, so it won’t accidentally scald. Manufacturers tend to set them high. (but the best temperature setting for hot water is 120 degrees).

Put a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and each additional floor.

Maintenance Planning

Start your master maintenance plan (and good home-keeping habits) by setting reminders in your calendar to do these basic maintenance tasks:

• Clean out the dryer hose and vent yearly. Clogged ones burn down houses. And you don’t know the last time the previous homeowner did it.

• Change your HVAC filters at least once a season. You’ll save on heating and cooling — and your unit will last longer. (While you’re at it, go ahead and stock up on them, too.)

• Schedule HVAC maintenance for spring and fall.

• Clean your fridge coils at least once a year. It’ll run better and last longer. (Don’t see any coils? Lucky you! Newer fridges often have coils insulated, so there’s no need for annual cleaning.)

• Clean your gutters at least twice a year. Depending on how many trees you have you may need to do this more!

Emergency Preparedness

You really don’t want to be figuring any of this out in a real emergency. Do it now. You’ll sleep better and be less likely to ruin your home. Locate the main water shut-off valve. Because busted pipes happen to almost every homeowner at least once. And water damage is value-busting and pricey to fix.

Find the circuit box, and label all circuit breakers. Find the gas shut-off valve, too, if you have gas. Assemble an emergency supply kit. Some key items are:

• Flashlights and batteries

• Emergency numbers

• Non-perishable food and water

• Blankets and warm clothing

• A radio, TV, or cell phone with backup batteries

HOME & MORTGAGE DOCUMENTS

Store copies (the originals should be in a fireproof safe or safety deposit box) of important home documents so they’re readily available. Go paper, cloud, or better, yet, both.

• Title Insurance Policy (comes about 60 days after you close)

• Property survey

• Final closing documents

• Insurance documents

• Apply for homestead with your county the first January after you purchase your house.