16 Things to Do Immediately After Buying a Home and You Receive Your Keys

Congratulations on your new home! Successfully closing on a house in today’s market is an achievement worth celebrating. After navigating through the phases of house hunting, making the offer, securing a mortgage, finally closing the deal, you might be wondering what happens next, besides moving in. Are there other things you should be thinking about or doing now that you’re a homeowner?

Once you sign the paperwork and receive your keys, there are several tasks you’ll want to complete for peace of mind and to ensure a comfortable transition into your new home, whether it’s a home in Miami, FL or Portland, OR, or anywhere in between. In this article, we’ll guide you through 16 essential things to do immediately after buying a home.

Securing your new home begins with a crucial step: changing locks, garage codes, and all access points immediately after you receive your keys. This simple yet vital step ensures that you have control over who enters your property, enhancing overall safety and peace of mind. Because you never know who may have a set of keys to the existing lock.

The expense of changing locks depends on factors such as the level of security you wan, lock complexity, and whether you opt for professional locksmith services or a DIY approach. If your home is equipped with an alarm system, budget for potential reconnection fees or consider switching providers. 

During the closing process, make sure to request instruction manuals and codes for electronic systems, including home alarms and garage codes. Then make sure you change these codes known only to you. If manuals are unavailable, online resources might provide reprogramming instructions for added convenience.