Settling Into Your New Home – What to Do After Closing

The moment you have waited for his finally arrived! You get to move into your new home at Lake of the Ozarks.  For weeks you have waited with anticipation for this day to come for come, and you may have dreamed of it for years! As you settle in and start making the house your home, there are a few important things that many homeowners overlook after their real estate closing at Lake of the Ozarks. Our title company in Lake Ozark cares about you and your new adventure, and we want to make it easy for you to transition to your new life at the lake. So, we invite you to read this blog with a few key things you should do after you close on a home at Lake of the Ozarks.

Locks

Safety first! You don’t have any idea who might have a copy of the key to your house. So, one of the first things you want to do is to hire a locksmith and change out the locks or keypads.


Documents & Receipts

Your home is likely to be a very busy place as you are moving in and arranging everything. Before it all gets too disorganized, it’s a good idea to establish a file for all of your important documents related to your closing. Have a designated place right off the bat to keep paperwork so you can find anything you need and so these important documents don’t get lost in the shuffle. You will also want to keep all your receipts related to moving and contact your CPA about what tax breaks you may qualify for because of moving and buying a home, as well as what documentation you need for those.

Circuit Breakers/Shut-off Valves

It’s a great idea to familiarize yourself with where the circuit breakers are and the shut-off valves when you move into your new home. It can be nerve-racking to try to find those if you find yourself in the middle of an emergency. Knowing where they are and how to use them can save you precious time and help you keep a clear head when dealing with the unexpected. 


Water Heater

It’s quite possible that your home may have some very hard water from the Ozarks water table, especially if you do not have a water softener. Sediment can build up in your water heater and cause it to work less efficiently or fail prematurely.  It is recommended when moving in to do some regular maintenance and drain your water heater to remove that sediment and see how the element looks. It’s better to do preventatively than when it decides to burn out on you out of the blue!

HVAC Maintenance

Having your HVAC maintenance is not just about comfort and efficiency, it’s about safety too. A normal maintenance check will include an inspection of wires, electrical connections, and other potential safety hazards to ensure your system is running properly and safely. 

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are especially important to check this time of the year. There are more house fires and carbon monoxide poisoning incidents in the fall and winter when people are using their furnaces. If the home you bought has them, test the batteries. If your home does not have them, they are easy to get at your local home-improvement store.  It’s a quick and simple thing to do and can literally save lives!

We Hope You Enjoy Your New Home!

At Arrowhead Title we are so excited about your new life here at Lake of the Ozarks. After enjoying a smooth real estate closing, we hope you enjoy an easy transition into your new home as well. Congratulations on buying a home in Lake of the Ozarks! For all your real estate closing needs, we are here for you! For more tips and information about real estate in Lake of the Ozarks, be sure to follow us on social media!

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