New Home Owner Checklist – Things to Do After You Move in Your New Home

Congratulations, you’ve bought your first home! There are few better feelings than being handed the keys to your very first home! Being a first-time homeowner is a very exciting and busy time in life. With all the packing and moving, it is easy to over-look some basic items that need to be done as soon as you move in to your new house.

Call the Utility Companies. Gas, electric, cable, telephone, garbage service, and any other providers for your home must be called to ensure service is in your name. You can also double check what day your garbage will be picked up and when your bills will be due.

Local County Tax Office. Don’t forget to apply for a homestead exemption!

Find Your Main Circuit Breaker. Take the time to locate the main breaker box for your home and label each breaker correctly.

Fire Extinguishers. Be sure to have at least one basic “all-purpose” fire extinguisher on each floor in your home and one for the kitchen. It is much better to be safe than sorry!

Emergency Exits. Get the family together and plan your evacuation routes in case of an emergency such as fire. Just a few minutes of discussion can ease your mind in the long run.

The “Boo-Boo” Kit. Have some type of first aid kit in a central location in your home and make sure everyone knows where it is. Also make sure emergency phone numbers are all posted in one place where everyone can find them quickly in case they are needed.

Extra Paint. Many new homes will have cans of unused paint left in them. These are great for touch-ups and for getting an exact match when re-painting. Make sure these cans are stored all in one place where they are free from freezing or getting too hot.

Find the Off Switch. Locate the main water shut-off and make sure all household members know where it is located. It is also not a bad idea to purchase a water cut-off wrench in case it ever is necessary to turn off your water supply from the meter.

Protect Those Floors. If your home has hardwood, ceramic, or tile floors, don’t forget to put protective covers under furniture legs.

Smoke Detectors. Make sure there are adequate smoke detectors in your home and all work properly. Change batteries every six months. In our home, we change the batteries whenever we change the clocks for daylight saving time. It is easier for us to remember that way.

Your New Address. Don’t forget to inform creditors and magazine subscriptions of your new address. In most areas, you can now change your address online through the Post Office.

What’s Your Number? Make sure your street number is identified and easily visible from the road. Reflecting house numbers on your mailbox work well.

As you settle in to your new home, you will find a peaceful state of mind knowing that all of these bases are covered.