What to Do After You Close on a Home

As a proud new homeowner, it is essential to ensure the security of your property and compliance while transforming it based on your desired style. You could divide the things to do after closing a house into two categories: document management and housekeeping duties.

We highlight the main points of what to do after you close on a home for a smooth ownership transition.

Get Your Paperwork and Documents in Order

Taking over a new property requires close monitoring and management of legal documents, including ensuring statutory bodies have your correct address.

Update Your Driver’s License

It is important to check with your local and state authorities regarding driver’s license updates. Depending on your property location, you might have to retake your driving test or update the address on your license within a short time frame (around ten days in some states).

Inform Other Parties About The Address Change

After you close on a home, similarly to informing traffic authorities, it would be best to inform other parties of your new address. These include delivery services, credit card providers, and insurance providers. Updating these parties reduces the risks of failed deliveries and mail delays arising from an outdated address.

Keep Your Home Purchase Document Safe

After closing on a home, it is essential to keep every piece of official document safeguarded at all times. You should consider getting a printed and soft copy of each of the following documents for safekeeping upon closing a property sale:

For added protection, consider storing these documents in a reinforced safety deposit box to prevent theft and fire hazards.

Housekeeping Measures

A newly acquired property would present some housekeeping concerns, particularly homes in the resale market. The work or actions taken depends on the previous owner’s extent of property care and maintenance.

Enhance Your House’s Security

You should thoroughly assess the structural integrity of the gates and fences surrounding your property to reduce the risks of break-ins. Similarly, it is best to replace the locks of every door and window since it is difficult to ascertain who has entry to the property aside from previous residents. The same measures should apply to digital locks, where you should reset login details and remove registered biometrics if you intend to reuse the access panels.

Schedule an HVAC Cleaning

HVAC is a necessary aspect of household management. When purchasing a new home, you should ensure that the vents, pipes, and AC units are in optimal working condition. If needed, you should arrange for a site inspection by a trusted HVAC company for a thorough assessment. Doing so prevents emergencies in the hotter and colder months.

Refer to Your Home Inspection Report

A successfully closed housing sale entails a home inspection report that outlines the conditions and potential issues of the property. You could turn the report into a handy checklist to affirm that your new home meets the best security standards while optimizing its overall value. It is important to review every section of a home inspection report to schedule the needed house repairs without delay.

Particularly, you should review the summary page highlighting notable concerns, usually with relevant photographs for easy reference. For the most effective approach, consider ranking the highlighted items in terms of priority and resolve those issues in order of importance. A prioritized approach lets you quickly identify and fix the biggest property problems before they escalate.

Closing Thoughts

Purchasing a house through paperwork is merely the first step of owning a property. It is essential to conduct the necessary housekeeping and thorough document management for seamless ownership. Partnering with a dedicated mortgage specialist helps you organize every essential housing document while providing competitive packages for financing and investing in your home.