5 Things to Do Once You've Closed on Your Home
Buying a home at the Lake of the Ozarks is a huge and exciting adventure! And with all of the excitement of finally closing on the sale and actually having the keys in hand, it may be easy to forget some important things to consider now that the home is actually yours. So, this week, we're sharing with you 5 things every homeowner should do once you've closed on your home:
1. Put Your Loan & Closing Documents in a Safe Place
At closing you'll be given a lot of important documents that prove your legal ownership of the property you've purchased, as well as home warranty and title insurance documents. You'll also likely have mortgage paperwork as well. All of these documents should be kept in a safe place where they won't get damaged or lost, and can easily be located if needed. Whether you choose a safe deposit box or a fireproof safe, these documents are proof of the biggest purchase you will ever make. It's also a great idea to have copies made or to scan all of these documents and keep electronic copies on file as well.
2. Change Out Your Locks
Whether you are purchasing a brand new home that has never been owned by anyone else, or buying a home that's been lived in before, changing the locks should be one of the first things you do once you gain access to the property. With all the people having access to the home during the time it was listed for sale, and the people who had access even before, it's best to err on the side of caution and change out all locks to ensure the safety and security of your new home, your personal belongings, and your family.
3. Paint and Upgrade the Home
It's likely that there are a few things in your new home that doesn't quite fit your style, and you'll want to make some upgrades to make it feel more like your home. If time allows, it's better to do the painting and upgrading before you get everything moved in. This will save you the hassle of having to move all your furnishings or worry about getting paint on anything. And it'll be a great opportunity to find any maintenance items that need addressed that may have gotten missed during the inspection period. Once you get the painting and upgrades completed and are ready to move in, you'll feel much better about settling in and it'll feel more like home!
4. Update Your Contact Information
With a new home, comes a new address, and you'll likely need to update that address on several accounts. Make a list of all the accounts you have (think bills, credit cards, bank accounts, service accounts). Tackle the most important ones first so you know you'll be receiving bills and statements at the correct address, and work your way down the list. Update your address with the license bureau and voting registry office. You'll also want to make sure to update your address with your employer. This is something that most people forget to do until tax time rolls around and they haven't received their W-2.
5. Meet the Neighbors
And finally, get out and meet your neighbors! Chances are, you'll be living in this neighborhood for at least 3 years, so it's best to get to know the people you'll be living by. They can be invaluable sources of information about local ‘things to know’, and may well end up being close family friends. Do some checking around to see if there are any upcoming community events you can attend. Or you can just make it a point to greet your neighbors when you see them outside - this is likely to drum up conversation, as they'll become curious and feel more comfortable introducing themselves to the new family on the block.
You'll be settled in and feeling at home in no time by doing these 5 things once you've closed on your home. If you're getting ready to put in an offer on your dream home, consider letting the best title insurance agency at the Lake of the Ozarks handle your closing. We want to provide you with dynamic solutions to all aspects of your real estate transaction - from professional, accurate title services which protect your investment to escrow and settlement services which handle your funds with utmost integrity. Contact Arrowhead Title today to learn more about our title, escrow and settlement services at the Lake of the Ozarks!
1. Put Your Loan & Closing Documents in a Safe Place
At closing you'll be given a lot of important documents that prove your legal ownership of the property you've purchased, as well as home warranty and title insurance documents. You'll also likely have mortgage paperwork as well. All of these documents should be kept in a safe place where they won't get damaged or lost, and can easily be located if needed. Whether you choose a safe deposit box or a fireproof safe, these documents are proof of the biggest purchase you will ever make. It's also a great idea to have copies made or to scan all of these documents and keep electronic copies on file as well.
2. Change Out Your Locks
Whether you are purchasing a brand new home that has never been owned by anyone else, or buying a home that's been lived in before, changing the locks should be one of the first things you do once you gain access to the property. With all the people having access to the home during the time it was listed for sale, and the people who had access even before, it's best to err on the side of caution and change out all locks to ensure the safety and security of your new home, your personal belongings, and your family.
3. Paint and Upgrade the Home
It's likely that there are a few things in your new home that doesn't quite fit your style, and you'll want to make some upgrades to make it feel more like your home. If time allows, it's better to do the painting and upgrading before you get everything moved in. This will save you the hassle of having to move all your furnishings or worry about getting paint on anything. And it'll be a great opportunity to find any maintenance items that need addressed that may have gotten missed during the inspection period. Once you get the painting and upgrades completed and are ready to move in, you'll feel much better about settling in and it'll feel more like home!
4. Update Your Contact Information
With a new home, comes a new address, and you'll likely need to update that address on several accounts. Make a list of all the accounts you have (think bills, credit cards, bank accounts, service accounts). Tackle the most important ones first so you know you'll be receiving bills and statements at the correct address, and work your way down the list. Update your address with the license bureau and voting registry office. You'll also want to make sure to update your address with your employer. This is something that most people forget to do until tax time rolls around and they haven't received their W-2.
5. Meet the Neighbors
And finally, get out and meet your neighbors! Chances are, you'll be living in this neighborhood for at least 3 years, so it's best to get to know the people you'll be living by. They can be invaluable sources of information about local ‘things to know’, and may well end up being close family friends. Do some checking around to see if there are any upcoming community events you can attend. Or you can just make it a point to greet your neighbors when you see them outside - this is likely to drum up conversation, as they'll become curious and feel more comfortable introducing themselves to the new family on the block.
You'll be settled in and feeling at home in no time by doing these 5 things once you've closed on your home. If you're getting ready to put in an offer on your dream home, consider letting the best title insurance agency at the Lake of the Ozarks handle your closing. We want to provide you with dynamic solutions to all aspects of your real estate transaction - from professional, accurate title services which protect your investment to escrow and settlement services which handle your funds with utmost integrity. Contact Arrowhead Title today to learn more about our title, escrow and settlement services at the Lake of the Ozarks!
Where Accuracy Matters!
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