A new home deserves a good start

What’s the first thing you did when you moved into your new home? If you’re anything like me, you probably ran excitedly from room to room, before spending a few hours unpacking boxes and then sinking exhaustedly on to the sofa cushions.

Among all of the stress your clients have to undergo when moving into a new home, they can’t forget to make security of their home a top priority.

Here are some ideas you can share with your clients to give them a good start:

Introduce yourself. Visit your neighborhood and be familiar with your new home, neighborhood and neighbors. Neighbors who are well acquainted with each other tend to have a safer neighborhood, as they are more willing to relay signs of caution to each other. Ask if they are comfortable exchanging numbers with you for emergency purposes. Not only will this make the move an easier transition for you, but you will also feel more comfortable in a new environment quicker.

Change your locks. You don’t know who, or how many people, the past homeowner gave keys to. For safety’s sake, it’s worth getting your own set of keys that no one else has but you. Don’t chance it; change your locks upon moving in to prevent these people from having easy access to your home. Also, remember to reconfigure your garage door code.

Smoke alarm/carbon monoxide detectors. Ensure that there are detectors outside all sleeping areas. Replace batteries on any existing detectors and test them. Make a note to replace them in a year. For the price of a few batteries, you will rest easier knowing that you and your family will be alerted in the event of a fire or gas leak. This is especially critical if your new living space sat unoccupied for any length of time prior to your move.

Break down boxes. Once you have finished unpacking, break down all of your boxes before taking them to the curb to be picked up. Without doing this, it can let people who drive by to quickly see what type of merchandise is in the house and let burglars know what is inside the home without actually going in.

Keep your name to yourself. On your mailbox, use just your last name or your last name and first initial. This keeps strangers from knowing too much about you and your family, like your gender or how many people live in the property.

Do you have other tips for new homeowners? Please share in the comment section below. I would love to hear them!