This is so topical for us today. Nervous excitement is rising. A phenomenal amount of money has just been spent, solicitors have done the job, we have arrived at the finish line with a great investment under our belt, so it’s definitely time to celebrate. With the relief and often chaos that ensures after getting the phone calling you can get keys it’s quite easy to forget about items that you should do once you are in possession of your new property. This blog is a handy tool guide for things to remember on completion day.
- You may not complete first thing so be prepared for hanging around until you complete – usually you will get the call by 12pm-1pm although it could be later.
- Know where it is you are picking keys up from (this may sound strange but I have known people to have to go to the other side of town from where they were expecting to get keys) it saves the unnecessary stress of running around.
- Change the locks (for security purposes) and make sure you have enough keys for everyone who is going to be coming and going – keep a list of who has the keys so you don’t loose them
- Locate utility meters, take readings (take pictures too) and send these to your supplier with your new invoicing details
- Find the water & gas stopcock’s you need to know how to turn these items off in the event of an emergency
- Update your local council with your details for council tax bills
- Take an inventory of what you find in the property – often the seller will have left items. Do a once over, don’t discard them, think if you could upcycle them or whether you can sell/free-cycle them, use it to your advantage
- Make sure you know what day your rubbish collection is, or where rubbish is stored prior to collection – you will probably have a lot of rubbish from moving stuff around and you won’t want to annoy your neighbours by leaving it on the street
- Keep a budget – it’s really easy to go out and spend a lot of things you think you need and then within a few months you don’t need them of it doesn’t suit. Furthermore after just buying a property money reserves will be low. Have a list of things you definitely need and things that you will see if they fit after everything is moved around – this way you don’t over spend.
- Finally enjoy it and celebrate your purchase – There is so much negativity about housing in the press and I don’t think buying and selling should have such a bad press. Really find joy in what you have purchased and why you have done it, whether it is first time, second, third, tenth, it’s something to be proud of so celebrate it!
Completion day on any property purchase is a huge day, you have reached the top of the hill, all the complications and waiting are over it’s now yours to do what you want with. Make sure you really relish in your achievement and reflect on how far you have come, it is a huge step but a really positive step.
If you every need help knowing what to do when buying a property or what to do after you have completed then do not hesitate to get in contact with us at NC Real Estate, or follow us on Twitter or Facebook. Happy Buying!
NC
