Just bought a new home? Well, congratulations! When it comes to the moving process, your new homeowner checklist can get really long, really fast. You’ve probably already hired a moving company, bought an embarrassingly large roll of bubble wrap, accumulated boxes of all sizes, and recruited a few reluctant friends and family members to help you with the process.
But, while you’re promising yourself that this will be the last time you will move, at least for the foreseeable future, there are a few tips and tricks you should know. Read our new homeowner checklist so you can start on the right foot and take care of your big, new investment from day one!
1. Transfer Utilities
To say this is one of the less glamorous parts of the moving process is an understatement. But, it’s one of the first hurdles you take on. The general rule of thumb is to begin the process of transferring your utilities three weeks before your move.
Not only do you need to transfer things like cable, internet, and gas, but you might also be able to move your security system. Check with your security company and see if they offer a moving program to help you with this process. Don’t forget to check that all your utilities work on move-in day!
2. Meet Your New Neighbors
Neighbors are great friends to have. They let you borrow a cup of sugar when you’re running low, they pick up your mail when you’re out of town, and they also serve as an extra set of eyes and ears to watch over your home when you’re not there.
Not only can they be great friends, but they can also be huge assets for protecting your home. When neighbors bands together, like starting a neighborhood watch or looking after someone’s home while on vacation, the likelihood of someone breaking into your house and getting away with it drops significantly!
3. Add Ceiling Fans Throughout Your Home
One annoyance when owning a home is dealing with high utility bills. Air conditioning and heating are the largest utility expense for your home. Fortunately, there are ways to cut back on cooling costs during the warm months.
When you simultaneously run your air conditioner and ceiling fans, you can raise your AC temperature by 5 degrees and get the same level of coolness throughout your home. This will significantly lower your cooling costs, saving you a few extra dollars.
You can also install smart thermostats, which let you adjust or schedule your heating and cooling to help manage energy costs as well.
4. Test Your Fire Alarms
If we’re being honest, fire alarms and smoke detectors are often some of the most neglected parts of a home. We hear the chirp and either just learn to tune it out or take out the batteries only to never replace them.
Don’t rely on the previous owners to have practiced good home fire safety. Test all your fire alarms when you move in. You can even get professionally monitored fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors!
5. Install a Security System to Get a Discount on Your Homeowners’ Insurance
Yes, it’s true! With a home security system, specifically a professionally-monitored alarm system, you can get major discounts on your home insurance premiums. The money you save will help cover a significant portion of the alarm monitoring costs each month. It’s a win-win: Your home is safe and secure, and you save a little money along the way.
You can even build your own custom security system that matches the needs of your home and budget. Want to learn more about home security? Contact an ADS Security expert today!
Categories: Safety, Safety Tips
