New Homeowner Must Do List

If you are a first-time home owner, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed. Hopefully your closing went smoothly, and you are in the process of unpacking all your belongings and making your new house a home! You’ll find as a homeowner, there will always be something on your “To Do” list. Here are a few of the most important things to do shortly after you move in:

·        Change your locks and/or passcodes. You’ll rest assured that there are no extra keys floating around from previous owners. It’s also a good idea to reset any passcodes for gates or garage doors. And don’t keep any spare keys under flower pots or door mats. Thieves are wise to these hiding spots. If a spare key outside is needed, use a lockbox instead.

·        Test your fire and carbon monoxide detectors and/or install new ones if needed. Your local fire department are great resources if you need help installing these devices.  

·        Locate your main water shut off valve, main gas valve (if you have one) and circuit box. If there is a water or gas emergency such as a leaky or broken pipe, knowing where the shut off valve is will help mitigate damages somewhat. If your circuit box is not labeled, get someone to help you identify what each breaker controls and label each switch.

·        Test your sump pump (if you have one). You do not want your basement to flood in a rainstorm! Also, you might want to consider a buying a back up battery just in case of a power outage.

·        Clean out the dryer vent hose. The lint that can build up in these vent hoses can cause deadly house fires. Clean the vent hose once a year for a better performing dryer and for safety.

·        Clean the chimney (if you have one). Dirty chimneys can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and house fires. If you use your chimney frequently, have it cleaned once a year.  

·        Clean the gutters. To protect the foundation of your home, clean the gutters at least once a year, twice if your home is surrounded by trees. Water that is not properly directed away from your house can cause damage to your foundation and roof.

We hope this list doesn’t overwhelm you even more! Don’t worry, most of these items are common sense. General knowledge and regular maintenance are the keys to a well-run and safe home.