So you’ve just become a new homeowner! That is incredibly exciting! It won’t just be exciting though; you will also find that it is a lot of hard work. And that is because there will be so much stuff to sort out. After all, you will need to plan moving day and figure out how you are going to move all of your possessions and belongings between properties.

You may think that all the hard work ends once you become the new homeowner after move in. However, that isn’t the case! There will be a lot more things to sort out once you are in your new home. You may be able to sort some things out after you have settled in, but generally speaking, it is a good idea to try and get everything done as soon as possible. The main reason for this is that it will help you to save a lot of money in the long run. Interested in saving some cash? Then make sure you do all of these things as soon as you have moved into your new place.

List of New Homeowner Must-Do

Wrap Pipes In Insulation

Check all pipes to see if there are any of them that are exposed. This could be a huge problem during the winter months. If the temperatures dip considerably, these pipes may be at risk of bursting. To prevent this, you need to wrap them in insulation. Don’t worry; this won’t spoil their look. In fact, you will be able to buy some pipe insulation that looks just like the materials that most pipes are made from. So no one will even notice that the pipes are insulated!

Update Home Security

The chances are that your new home might have had its current security system in place for a few years. Maybe even a few decades! It’s important that your home security is as up to date as it can be. So it will be a good idea to replace the property’s current one, even if you aren’t too sure how long it has been in place for. If you are a bit strapped for cash, you can keep things cheap by adding a fake CCTV system or camera to your property. Many burglars won’t be able to tell that it is a dud, and it will still work as a great deterrent. But if you do have some spare money, it is very much worth installing a modern alarm and camera system. After all, it will put off intruders from entering your home, which can save you a lot of money in the future. I recommend hiring a professional alarm system company, you can learn more about this online at https://alarm-reviews.net/diy-home-security/. This will give you, the new homeowner a sense of security.

Mark Cracks In the Basement

One of the first things you need to do on your first day in your new home is to head down to the basement and check for any cracks. Most properties will have some small cracks in the floor of the basement, so don’t panic too much if you do notice any. If your house is stable, these cracks won’t grow at all. However, if you notice that the cracks start to grow and get bigger over time, it is a sign that your home isn’t as stable as you had once thought! Rather than waiting until it is too late, you need to get them fixed now if you want to save money. Leave the cracks for too long, and the repair bill could be huge. How do you tell if your cracks are growing? You need to mark them with duct tape. Make sure that you note the date onto the duct tape. Then, a few days later head back into the basement again. If the crack has grown past the duct tape mark, then you should call in a specialist to take a look at things.

Install Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

These days there are lots of energy efficient light bulbs in many supermarkets and home interior stores. The best ones that you can buy are LED and CFL light bulbs. Not only will these save you a lot of energy, but they are also extremely cost effective. You will find that your energy bills start to reduce once you install these kinds of bulbs. If you can’t afford to replace all your current bulbs with these types, think about adding LED or CFL bulbs to lights which you regularly use. You can find out more about energy efficient light bulbs on many different websites including https://sust-it.net/lighting-what-are-low-energy-bulbs.php.

Set Up Smart Electronic Systems

Are you and your family excited to get your TV, computer and game consoles all set up in your new home? Before you do, it may be worth considering setting up a smart electronic system. These can be beneficial for a number of reasons. Firstly, you can normally add a surge limit onto these systems. That means that you will be able to safely protect all of your electronic equipment and appliances from surges in electricity. Most of these smart systems also give you the option to decide how much power flows to appliances once they have been turned off. So you can choose to stop all electricity flowing to your TV once you have turned it off. Not only will this save you a lot of money, but you will also find that it improves the overall eco-friendliness of your home. 

Change The Locks

It is often a good idea when you become a new homeowner to change the locks on all your doors and windows as soon as you move in. You never know who the previous homeowners may have given a spare set of keys too! Getting all of the locks changed will give you peace of mind that no one will attempt to get into your home. You can normally find local locksmiths who are able to change locks and issue a new set of keys for a very reasonable price. When you do get the locks changed, it is worth paying a bit extra to get a spare set of keys cut. You can then give these to a close friend or relative who you trust.

Once you have done all of these important jobs as a new homeowner, you will be able to start making your new house a home!

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About the Author: Patricia Davis Brown

Patricia, like her blog, is not a one-dimensional designer, which is evident in her accolades of 17 national design awards. Over a 38-year career in the industry, she has carved a niche in several areas of design. Licensed in interior design and certified in kitchen and bath design, she offers a full menu of design services ranging from whole house interior design, kitchen and bath design, lighting design, full remodels, commercial design and universal (ADA) design. Patricia is a sought-after speaker in the industry and has been published in many publications as seen on her interior design firm’s website, https://www.patriciadavisbrowndesigns.com/. She writes for such publications as QuinStreetinc, Relaxed Remodeler, and eHow.com talent offering design tips.