You’ve searched for and found the perfect place to call home — congratulations! Few things are more exciting than becoming a homeowner, but it is also one of the largest financial investments you’ll ever make, which is why it’s important to start off on the right foot. Here are my go-to tips for those first few weeks in your new home that can save you time, money, and effort later down the road.

✔️ Get to know your neighbors.
Meeting your neighbors is one of the most important things you can do once you move in. After all, you never know when you’ll need a good neighbor to grab the mail or water the plants when you’re out of town (or when you may need a few eggs for the brownies you’re making at 8:30 pm).

✔️ Paint first!
There’s nothing more inconvenient than having to paint a home while you’re living in it. Schedule the movers a few days after closing occurs so that you have time to give your new home a deep clean and paint the main living areas.

✔️ Change the locks before you move in.
There’s no telling how many people have a key to your home – from former homeowners to babysitters, neighbors, pet sitters, etc. it can be a lot. You can either hire a locksmith or buy and install a new, electronic deadbolt.

What’s one thing you wish you would have done before you moved into your first home? Let me know in the comments!