After closing occurs, the next big and final step is to move into your new home!!
When you are able to do so will depend on your agreement with the seller. Some buyers will get the keys and take possession of the home immediately after closing. Some will need to wait up to 60 days after closing if the purchase agreement granted the sellers occupancy after closing. But either way, when you leave that closing table you are a home owner…CONGRATULATIONS!
Aside from moving in and making your new place your home, there are still a few final tasks I remind and encourage you to undertake:
If this is going to be your primary residence, it is very important to turn in your homestead forms to the municipality (the city or township hall) asap. I suggest you go straight there from closing and get it out of the way. If they are not turned in on time, you can face some serious financial consequences in the form of a higher rate on property taxes.
When you move into a new home you may unfortunately inherit some undesirable junk left behind and/or a yard with excessive leaves and overgrowth that needs to be tended to. So, while you are at the city/township hall turning in your homestead documents, it is a great time to ask and gather details on trash and yard waste pick up. Were garbage and recycle containers left at the home or do you need to obtain new ones? What day is trash picked up on your street? Do they pick up recycling (every week or every other)? When is the first and last seasonal days for yard waste pick up? Do you need to bag your leaves in the fall or rake them to the curb for pick up? What is the procedure for properly disposing of large/bulky items?
Before you move all your belongings into your new home, I strongly encourage you to change the locks! The sellers may appear so very trustworthy. The locks may have been brand new at the time of listing. But regardless, change the locks! You never know who may have acquired a key to that house through the years. The cost of new locks or a rekey by a locksmith is certainly worth the piece of mind it provides.
Clean, clean, clean! Yes, I’m a little more germaphobic than a lot of people, but I think most everyone would agree that a good cleaning is in order before you unload all your own belongings into your new place. Perhaps new shelf liners, a good shampoo of the carpet, a new toilet seat, etc. But while you are cleaning, don’t over look the idea of starting fresh on some of the items that are more hidden from view, but still impact your everyday…like filters…Furnace filters and water filters.
The most exciting and anticipated part of your new home is actually moving in. You may be doing it yourself or hiring a professional. You may be doing it all in one day or a little at a time. Whatever works for you…your timing, your budget and your preferences. Enjoy the moments as you begin making this new house into your home one load, one box, and one detail at a time.
While everyone is excited to move in and get things organized within your new home, you will likely find the need to escape the boxes for a bit while still feeling productive in your transition. That’s a great time to get working on notifying family, friends and businesses of your change in address: post office, banks, credit cards, subscriptions, schools, work, doctor, driver’s license, voter registration, insurance, cell phone, etc.
The move will take time. You may be living out of boxes for awhile. But enjoy it…for this place is finally yours!
