5 To-do’s when Moving into a New Home
Congratulations! Purchasing a new home is one of the biggest accomplishments one can achieve. It’s an exciting time in your life, but it can also be a bit stressful when it comes to thinking about your new responsibilities as a homeowner.
From packing up all of your belongings, to figuring out the in’s and out’s of your new home, there’s always something to work on when it comes to your new home.
We’ve come up with a few tips that you should consider working on as soon as you get those keys:
- Change the Locks: Safety first! Changing the locks ensures that you and your family are the only ones who have access to your home.
- Locate the Breaker Box and make labels: Do this ASAP when you move in. Have one other person help you out with this task – one person to trip the fuses and the other to make sure they went off accordingly.
- Wipe out your Cabinets: Before you move in and unpack your dishes, clean the inside and outside of your cabinets. You never know what type of critters have been lurking around and it’s always nice to have a fresh, clean start.
- Check for Plumbing Leaks: This should be done prior to closing, but it never hurts to double check. An easy way to find out if you have a leak – check your water meter at the beginning and end of a two-hour window. If there’s a change in the numbers, something’s wrong.
- Find the shut off Valve: In the instance of a plumbing issue, you’ll need to know where and how to turn off your main water valve. Some homes have it located inside while others have it outside. When you located it, turn it off and test that it worked properly by making sure no water comes out from the faucets located inside. However, don’t forget to switch it back on when you’re done!
And last, but not least, be sure you are fully aware of what your home insurance policy does and does not cover. Most standard policies will pay for damage to your home and possessions in events of storms, fire, theft and vandalism – but most policies have exclusions such as flooding, faulty zoning and defective maintenance.
Be sure to take the time to research prospective agencies before you commit to a policy. Pettineo Insurance Agency has been serving the South Florida area for the past 30 years. As your friendly neighborhood independent agent, we provide personalized service and stability that you should expect from your insurance agent.
Have questions about homeowners insurance? Contact us today at 954.493.9424 or, visit our website: http://pettineoinsurance.com/contact_us.html
Pettineo Insurance Agency provides homeowners insurance in Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale-By-The Sea, Pompano Beach, Oakland Park, Boca Raton, Hollywood, Coral Springs, Tamarac, Sunrise, Hollywood, and all of South Florida.