I Bought a House… Now What?! Top 12 Things to do as a New Home Owner
Andi • June 22, 2018
For most homeowners, a home is the single largest asset they hold, so it makes sense to protect that asset. So what should you know after you get the keys and the moving truck is on its way? I’m here to help!
First and Foremost
- Update keys. See the new house keys in your hand? Change them! I advise clients to make this a number one priority. It isn’t because I don’t trust the old owners, but you never know who had a spare. Some locksmith companies have “move-in specials,” or, if you are handy, you can buy new lock sets at any home improvement store.
- Pest-proof. Now that your home is empty, this would be the best time to get rid of any unwanted roommates, especially if the previous owner had a pet! I would recommend calling a pest control company and getting a general pest and/or flea treatment. There are many different companies that use organic or chemical-free pest control if that is a concern.
- Deep clean— and I mean more than just the kitchen and bathrooms. Have the carpet professionally cleaned. Change out your A/C filter and the batteries in your smoke detectors so you will know what to put into your home maintenance app (see below). If it wasn’t part of your repair amendment when you bought your home, call an HVAC company to come clean and service your A/C system. Prices vary from different companies, particularly if your coils are dirty.
- Transfer utilities into your name. Normally I recommend this a couple of days before closing, but if you haven’t already, be sure to transfer utilities into your name. Also, pop by your post office if you live in a neighborhood with cluster mailboxes and have them re-key your mailbox.
After Move-In
- Record it. Make a photo or video record of your new home and possessions for insurance purposes, and keep the records in a safety deposit box. Your insurance provider can recommend what to photograph and how to secure it. We offer our clients photography sessions and a virtual tour after they close as a gift so they can share their new home with friends and family, but we tell them to download it and save it for insurance reasons also.
- Check out breakers and water valves. Introduce yourself to your circuit breaker box and main water valve. It’s a good idea to figure out which fuses control which parts of your house and label them accordingly if they aren’t already. This will take two people: one to stand in the room where the power is supposed to go off, and the other to trip the fuses and yell, “Did that work? How about now?”
- Create an emergency plan with your family. I have seen some families turn this into a fun role-playing game with small children so they know where to go and what to do in case of an emergency. Experts recommend doing semi-annual “refreshers.”
- Maintain fire, theft, and liability insurance. As the value of your property increases, such coverage should also rise. Again, speak with your insurance professional for details.
- Make a repair list and timeline. Since many buyers have an inspection done, the obvious after-purchase task is to tackle the checklist of the other repairs identified in your report; however, also make a concentrated “Plan of Action” for any remodeling or cosmetic changes you would like to make. If you set a timeline for these repairs you will be more likely to do them than finding yourself still hating that floral wallpaper five years later. Be as detailed as you like, and get some estimates so you know how much you need to start saving to make the timeline happen.
- Consult your accountant. There are a lot of closing costs that can be deducted, such as interest points, real estate taxes, and possibly moving expenses from your tax returns.
- Create a home binder — and make a concentrated effort to put all your home information in it, from paint swatches and warranties to your HUD-1 (aka: closing statement) and survey. That way when it’s time to sell or your accountant needs something, it will all be in one concentrated area so you won’t have to dump out the junk drawer or turn your home office inside out. Trust me—you will thank yourself later!
- Download a home maintenance reminder app on your phone. There are a lot of great apps that can remind you of your monthly, semi-annual, and annual housing maintenance needs. The one I recommend is Home Savvy. You will spend a little time giving it some information about your home (A/C filter size, gas or electric, etc.), but then it will send you reminders of routine maintenance. While it will also recommend a repairperson, I suggest also contacting your REALTOR®, because most have a list of professionals they routinely use and recommend!
And Finally
- Enjoy your home. Owning real estate can be a handful, but ultimately it’s worth it! What’s most important is that home ownership results in a wonderful experience. Enjoy it!
Join us and our guest Amy Baker to learn about first-time home buying on Tuesday, August 19th, at Goods Local Brews (2620 Northwest Ave.) at 6 pm. Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, and we’re here to help make the process simple and stress-free! Join us for our First-Time Home Buyer Seminar, where we’ll break down everything you need to know—from understanding mortgages and down payment assistance programs to navigating the home-buying process with confidence. Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or ready to take the next step, this seminar will provide expert insights and practical advice to help you make informed decisions on your journey to homeownership. Questions? Call/text: 360.734.6479
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I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be representing the Women’s Council of REALTORS® – Northwest Washington Network at this year’s WCR NXT Convention in Houston ! I'm going as the Vice President of Whatcom, Skagit, & Island County. It’s a powerful gathering of real estate leaders from across the country, and I can’t wait to bring back fresh ideas, connections, and inspiration to our local network. Stay tuned for takeaways and behind-the-scenes peeks—this is going to be good. The Women's Council of REALTORS® advances women as professionals and leaders in business, the industry, and the communities we serve, and "When Women Are Present, Everything Changes."
So many possibilities with this 9.9-acre property in a prime location near I-5. The bright and airy rambler features an open floor plan and two primary suites, offering comfort and flexibility. Unique zoning allows for an RV park, and the property currently generates $50,000+ in part-time annual revenue through RV parking, camping, and a 2024 trailer that conveys with the sale and operates as a successful Airbnb rental. The land is beautifully landscaped with gardens, fruit trees, and lush, park-like scenery—creating a private sanctuary that feels far away yet remains close to amenities. Continue to grow the business, expand operations, or simply enjoy the peaceful setting while generating passive income. A rare opportunity!
JOIN THE PACK THIS AUGUST Lace up those sneakers and leash up your sense of adventure— the very first Race for the Underdogs 5K is happening at stunning Lake Padden in Bellingham on Sunday, August 17 at 8:30 AM . This heartwarming event benefits the incredible work of Happy Tails Happy Homes (HTHH) , a Whatcom County nonprofit that gives second chances to the animals who need it most. 🐶 Who You're Racing For HTHH isn’t your typical rescue. We’re a volunteer-powered, foster-based organization with no shelter, no offices, and no paid staff —just a deep love for the underdogs. That means every dollar raised goes straight to the animals, many of whom arrive with medical or behavioral challenges. We believe every tail deserves a happy ending. 🏃♀️ About the Race This scenic 5K trail loop winds counterclockwise around Lake Padden on soft grass and wooded paths. Starting near the picnic shelter at the east entrance, the route is mostly flat with a few rolling hills and one short uphill stretch through the trees on the lake’s southwest side. It’s peaceful, pet-friendly, and just the right mix of nature and challenge. 📍 Getting There From I-5 Northbound (Seattle): Take Exit 246 (N. Lake Samish), head left at the stop sign, drive 2.5 miles to the East Lake Padden entrance, and follow the HTHH signs to the playground. From I-5 Southbound (Bellingham): Take Exit 252 (Samish Way), go left over the freeway, right onto Samish Way, and continue 2.5 miles to the second Lake Padden sign (East entrance). Turn right and follow signs to the playground area.
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FREE BELLS TICKETS
Step 1 Many homeowners start the selling process by looking at sites such as Realtor.com, Zillow, or Redfin to see what similar properties have recently sold for in their neighborhood to determine the current value of their home. That’s fine and understandable, but keep in mind: The sites aren’t 100% accurate as listings that were never listed in the NWMLS, or For Sale By Owners, will be missing. The information on the online sites is often out of date or not accurate as NWMLS. Therefore, a property might show that it’s still Active on Zillow, even though it sold 9 months prior. When professional appraisers conduct an appraisal, they only take into account homes that have sold in a particular neighborhood within the last 90 days. It’s not possible to sort the data by date on the online sites so it’s difficult to only look for properties that have sold within the last 90 days. Therefore, Step 1 to buying a home should be to interview REALTORS ® to represent you and ask them to provide you with a CMA (Comparable Market Analysis). Find a Realtor® How do you find a really good REALTOR®? Hopefully, you’ll contact us at 360-734-6479 or andi@andidyer.com so we can see if we would be a good fit. Remember, not all REALTORS® are right for all people. It would be best if you found someone who is not only great at his or her job, but someone you like and trust as you’re putting a big piece of your financial future in their hands. Ask friends and family for referrals. Contact those Realtors® and set up initial phone screenings with them. Notice how quickly each REALTOR® responds to your initial phone call or email. The REALTOR® should get back to you within 24 hours; if not, that’s a bad sign. This business moves fast, and deals can be lost if your REALTOR® doesn’t respond quickly on your behalf to showing requests, offers, inspection negotiations, etc. Initial Phone Screening During the initial phone screening, find out if the REALTOR® knows your neighborhood and if they’ve ever helped a client buy or sell property in your neighborhood. Ask about their experience. If your gut reaction says this person might be a good fit, ask them to do a CMA on your home and set up a time to meet with them in person. Be prepared for the REALTOR® to ask questions about your home, how much you owe on your mortgage and if any repairs are needed as they need this information to do an accurate CMA. Meet In Person and Review the CMA When you meet with the REALTOR® in person, ask them our Interview questions for hiring a REALTOR (see the next article we send). You will go over the CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) together and evaluate your competition. Ask them not only what they think your home is worth, but what the average days on market (i.e. the number of days from when your home goes on the market until you have an accepted contract) are in your area. If the REALTOR® doesn’t know this, move on. Ask them what they charge, how much the closing costs will be, and what approximately you’ll net if you sell your home for X price. Most importantly, be honest with each REALTOR®. If you need to sell your home for a certain amount of money or in a certain time frame, tell them. Only when REALTORS® have a complete picture can they come up with the best strategy to fit your situation. Lastly, trust your gut. Sign the paperwork Once you’ve picked a REALTOR®, expect to sign a Listing Agreement authorizing that REALTOR® to represent you. That starts the ball rolling to get your home on the market. Questions? Contact us at andi@andidyer(dot)com or 360-734-6479.
STEP 3 THE ESCROW PROCESS
