Post-Closing Tasks for First-Time Homeowners

Posted: December 20th, 2022

Did you just close on your first ever home? Are you overwhelmed by the abundance of tasks you now have on your plate? If you answered yes to either or both of these questions you’re in the right place. After purchasing a home, you may be itching to sit back and relax; however, you’ll want to make sure your house is in order before fully enjoying your new space. Continue reading to review some of the most important things you should do right after closing on your home.

Tackle Home Projects

Whether you are moving in first and completing projects second or vice versa there are several tasks you may consider tackling post-closing. These can include refreshing the paint, deep cleaning each room, securing the home, and many more. You’ve likely already thought about the projects you want to complete, but before diving in, let's take a look at your budget.

Identify Your Budget

When working on home improvement projects, one major factor to consider is your budget. While you may have some projects you want to get done right away, keep in mind that you did just make a pretty big purchase on the house itself. You may need to prioritize things that need to be done immediately, such as home security, while holding off on less-important projects until later. This is where your budget is going to assist you in identifying how much you are able to spend now and create a plan for saving. If you’re stuck, do some research on how to save money for home projects. This will help you not only save, but get an estimated timeline for your future projects.

The Benefits of DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

Ask yourself this: Should I DIY or call a professional? DIY is a great way to take these projects into your own hands and can make a big impact on your budget. Oftentimes, hiring a professional isn’t necessary for easier projects like painting or updating hardware, and doing these yourself can give you a great sense of gratification while saving some money. However, it is important to remember that there are some things worth the splurge such as any electrical or plumbing work you may need done. Don’t risk doing things yourself that may have a bigger impact on your home and your safety–leave these to the people who are trained and knowledgeable.

Start with Home Security

Make the security of your new house a priority in order to keep yourself and your family safe. This can be as simple as changing out the locks and ensuring all windows and points of entry are secure. You likely got the keys from the previous owner; however, this doesn’t guarantee they don’t have copies of their own. Changing the locks will ensure that you are the only person with keys to your home. You may also consider installing some form of home security system that includes cameras, door and window alarms, etc. Take a look at different home security systems in order to choose the best for your home and budget.

Create an Emergency Supply Kit

This is a kit that is stocked with first aid materials and supplies needed in any type of emergency. Here in Florida, you might consider stocking yours with essentials needed in a hurricane. Things like non-perishable food, flashlights, blankets, and water are all items you may consider keeping in your home in the event of an emergency. A whistle to signal for help and flares are another great idea to keep on hand and could possibly save your life if you’re ever stuck or trapped.

Protect Your Assets

Once you’re settled into your new home there are probably going to be a million things running through your mind. So to make it simple, one of the most important things to do is creating an estate. While this isn’t the most exciting thing to think about, it is important to not only protect your home, but your other assets as well. You will want to protect your surviving family members by ensuring they have a place to live.

With estate planning, you may also want to consider filling for homestead exemptions. This will not only help lower taxes, but in the event that you, the primary owner, passes away it protects any surviving family members too. Not only will this provide them with a place to live, but also protects them financially. Though this alone doesn’t guarantee that your family will have a place to live, it will work in conjunction with your estate and any life insurance you may have to give your family shelter even when there are creditors involved.

Set-Up Autopayments

After that’s taken care of, take a look at your mortgage and utilities. Identify when your payments are due and consider signing up for automatic payments. This makes it easier to make payments without having to manually pay each month and will ensure you don’t miss a payment in the future! This will also allow you to better plan when to spend money in other expenditure areas such as shopping for groceries or just for fun. Knowing that your mortgage and utilities come out of your account on a certain date can help you balance out your spendings to another week of the month.

Have Some Fun

Now that all the serious stuff has been addressed, now it’s time for the fun part! Start exploring your new neighborhood, introduce yourself to your neighbors, and get involved in the community. If that’s not your thing, maybe try a new restaurant or two and make some new friends in the area. If you moved here for work, begin getting settled in and ready for the new adventure. There’s lots to do in Brevard County, especially if you enjoy the water, so take a look at everything the Space Coast has to offer and you’ll be on your way to making your new house a home!