Provoked by Chrissy Doremus' post on 10 Important things to do on your new house I thought I'd share some insight on her point # 1.
1. "Change the locks, reprogram garage door opener codes, and check that all window locks operate properly. If there's a security system, learn how it operates and sign up for any maintenance or monitoring plans that that yours requires."
A few weeks ago I closed on a beautiful home in a lovely, exclusive hamlet. This home backs a small lake and the hamlet is surrounded by very high end horse farms. No need to concern yourself with safety, right? WRONG!
Now it's not like the buyers were burying their heads in the sand, they weren't. They finished the closing and left thinking they'd stop for a bite to eat in celebration and then proceed to their new home. They planned to have the locks changed soon... After all, it's a great neighborhood, the heirs don't live in the area and all the keys were turned over to the buyers at the closing table. Or were they?
Upon arriving at their new home, surprise surprise! One of the heirs who supposedly turned his keys over to the buyers at the closing table had his vehicle backed in the driveway and was loading it up with things that the buyers thought was being left for them.
The question we all asked was: If the heirs turned their key over to the new owners at the closing table, how on earth did he get in? Hmmm rocket science here! He had another key that was held back...shame on him!
Change the locks immediately on your new home, secure it in every way possible. People may or may not be interested in accessing your home once the closing is done but don't give them a chance either!
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