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Closing on a home is a big deal that should absolutely be celebrated! Once you’ve signed your papers, have your keys in hand and have taken some time to appreciate what you’ve accomplished, take these seven smart steps to help you feel more organized, settled and ready to enjoy your new home.
As you settle into your new home, there are a few practical matters to tackle. Some are tied to your mortgage, some are tied to moving and some are all about making the house feel safe, comfortable and personal.
The good news? You don’t have to do everything in one day. Start with the most time-sensitive items, then work your way through the rest at a pace that feels manageable. This easy after-closing checklist can help you get started.
7 Things to Do After Buying a Home:
Know when and how to make your first mortgage payment.
Your first payment may not be due right away, but it’s important to know your exact due date, amount and payment options. Your closing paperwork and lender communications should spell this out, so keep those documents in a safe place and review them before the due date sneaks up on you.
Better yet? If you didn’t set up automatic payments from a Gate City Bank checking account during your closing, set up autopay as a simple way to keep your mortgage payments on track. All you have to do is call your mortgage lender or stop by your closest bank location to set this up in person (and grab a fresh-baked cookie while you’re there!).
Once autopay is set up, just be sure to keep enough money in that account before the payment date.
Add a calendar reminder a few days before your first few mortgage payments. Even with autopay, it’s helpful to double-check that everything is working as expected.
Sign up for paperless statements and download Gate City Bank’s mobile app.
Paper statements can pile up quickly during a move. Sign up for online statements to keep your mortgage information organized, easy to find and available when you need it. This can also reduce the chance of important mail getting missed while you’re updating your address and unpacking boxes.
You can also download Gate City Bank’s mobile app to easily view and manage your mortgage anytime, anywhere with mobile banking.
Review and understand your mortgage and escrow.
Your mortgage payment might include more than your principal and interest. If you have an escrow account, part of your monthly payment may go toward property taxes, homeowners’ insurance and other costs. Take a few minutes to understand what’s included, how escrow is calculated and when you might receive escrow updates.
If you have questions, reach out to your lender. They’re always happy to help! You can also learn more about your mortgage in our Help Center.
See FAQsLeave your lender a review or recommend them to a friend.
If your lender helped make the homebuying journey easier, let them know! Leaving a Google review can help other homebuyers feel more confident as they choose a lender. If you have a friend, family member or co-worker who’s thinking about buying, building or refinancing, recommend your lender!
Change your locks.
This is one of the first non-banking tasks to put on your list. Changing or rekeying the locks gives you a fresh start and helps your new home feel more secure.
Update your address everywhere.
Moving comes with a long list of address updates, including your employer, bank accounts, insurance providers, driver’s license, voter registration, subscriptions, deliveries, medical providers and any online shopping accounts you use often.
While you’re at it, set up mail forwarding with the postal service. That gives you a little breathing room while you work through every account and contact.
Get to know your home.
Go through your home to familiarize yourself with things like the main water shutoff, electrical panel, gas shutoff, sump pump, furnace filter, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Knowing where these things are before you need them can save time and stress later.
Take pictures of appliance model numbers, paint colors, filter sizes and warranty information. Store them in a folder on your phone, so they’re easy to find when you’re shopping or scheduling service.
As you’re getting to know your home, create a simple maintenance plan by making a list of what needs to happen monthly, seasonally and yearly. Think about your furnace filters, smoke detector batteries, gutters, lawn care, snow removal, appliance care, checking for leaks and scheduling routine HVAC servicing. If you had a home inspection, note which items may need to be updated, repaired or monitored.
Part of that plan should include budgeting for repairs, upgrades and any potential equipment like a lawnmower or snowblower. Even setting aside a small amount each month can make future projects feel less stressful. View helpful tips to save money faster.
Bottom line: Closing day may be behind you, but your homeownership journey is just getting started. By organizing your mortgage, updating your information and getting familiar with your home, you can move forward with confidence and enjoy the place you worked so hard to call your own.
Questions? We’re here for you! Contact your lender any time. A quick check-in can help you avoid unwanted surprises down the road.
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