If you are buying a home in Knoxville, you probably have a long list of tasks that you need to take care of to complete the purchase. However, what about after the purchase is complete and the keys are in your hand? Here are some important things you need to take care of immediately after buying a home in Knoxville.
Secure Your New Home
One of the most important things to do after buying a home in Knoxville is to make it secure. It is always a good idea to change the locks in case there are any sets of keys out there that you are unaware of! It is also a good idea to reset any access codes to areas such as garages, secured gates, and cellars. It is a simple step, but it is one that will give you peace of mind about your family’s safety. If the property has an alarm system you will also want to update those codes, keeping in mind you may need to budget for a reactivation or transfer fee depending on the system.
Set Up Safety Measures For Kids or Pets
If you have young children or pets, you will need to take time to baby or pet-proof your new home as they are sure to want to start exploring their new space! Installing safety gates on the stairs can benefit both children and furry friends. You may also want to look at adding outlet covers, window locks, and locks on cupboards where potential hazards are stored. It is also a good idea to secure heavy items of furniture to the walls to avoid them toppling over and crushing a little one.
Handle The Paperwork
Admin tasks may seem like a low priority, especially after all the paperwork you have to complete when buying a home in Knoxville, but there is some essential paperwork you need to take care of immediately. This includes changing your address with important entities like the DMV, IRS, banks, credit card providers, your insurance provider, and of course, your employer. It can take a bit of time to handle all of the changeovers and some entities can be slower than others when it comes to updating your details, so you may also want to consider forwarding your mail for the first few weeks or months to make sure nothing gets lost. You will also want to make sure that your voter registration has been updated in plenty of time before any upcoming elections.
Get Homeowner’s Insurance
It is important to make sure that you have the appropriate homeowner’s insurance. Your insurance provider should be aware that you are buying a home in Knoxville as part of the mortgage process since homeowner insurance is often a standard requirement in applying for a mortgage. However, you may still need to talk to your insurer to make sure you have the appropriate coverage for your new home. There are several different factors that are taken into account when determining the necessary level of cover including the location, the size, the construction materials used, risk factors in the surrounding areas, the age of the home, and more. It is good practice to review and update your policy to make sure it is the right fit for your new home.
Connect The Utilities
Another important item for your to-do list when buying a home in Knoxville is to make sure that the utilities at your previous home are switched off and that you have arranged a transfer and activation at your new home. It is worth researching the available options in your new neighborhood to choose the most suitable option as you may find transferring to a local provider instead of using your current one could be more convenient and more cost-effective. Your new neighbors could be a valuable source of information in this area and it’s the perfect excuse to go introduce yourself! Some of the utilities you will need to set up at your new home will include:
- Water & Sewage
- Gas
- Electricity
- Refuse/Trash
- Phone & Internet
- TV Services
Find Your Circuit Box & Emergency Shut-Offs
When you are buying a home in Knoxville, it is important to take some time to familiarize yourself with the layout of your new property in case of an emergency. Start by identifying the location of your circuit box, and the emergency shut-offs for your water line. If your circuit breaker does not have labels it is worth identifying each circuit and labeling them so you are not panicked when you need to handle them in an emergency. It’s also a great idea to consider potential escape routes and make sure that all of your family members are aware of them.
These are just a few of the important tasks you will need to complete as soon as possible when buying a home in Knoxville, but there are many more things you may need to consider. At Wright Realty we will be with you every step of the way when you are buying a home in Knoxville and we will do our best to guide you through the appropriate steps when move-in day rolls around.
--
Wright Realty is a full-service real estate concierge with a wholistic approach to buying and selling property in East Tennessee. We are your trusted advisor and keep open communication throughout your entire buying/selling process. Real Estate done "Wright" means more than just a 'transaction'.
Finding Your Property the "Wright" Way!
Visit www.realtydonewright.com or call 865-556-8599
