New Homeowner Help
So we’re finally a week from closing (on a 2 family house), and this question may be a bit late, but I’m looking for any thoughts on what we should be doing immediately surrounding closing in terms of the house. I figure we’ll need to transfer: Gas/Electric – just call up ConEd? Garbage – this…
So we’re finally a week from closing (on a 2 family house), and this question may be a bit late, but I’m looking for any thoughts on what we should be doing immediately surrounding closing in terms of the house.
I figure we’ll need to transfer:
Gas/Electric – just call up ConEd?
Garbage – this is covered by taxes and we don’t need to do anything, assuming it is already being picked up?
Water/Sewer – I’m not sure who to call for this, is this the city?
Locksmith – just for general safety get the main locks replaced
Heating Oil – I guess I need to determine how to tell how much heating oil is in the reserves, then find a provider as needed for it?
CableTV and Phone, aren’t high priorities for me yet, though internet would be somewhat higher, but should still be easy enough.
What else am I missing?
Termites we did as a part of the whole closing process since there was evidence of termites in a fence in the backyard (so the seller had to treat it and get a 1 year guarantee). I’m thinking that while the place is empty for now (when we do the renovations is still an open question), that we should do a nice bug sweep through the place, since it won’t have an impact on people or pets.
Re: Bugs. Are you moving in right away? Best time to bring in exterminator is either 1. Before closing, to ID termite problems,although your contract may have limitations on the timing for this, and 2. Since you said you will be renovating, bring in the exterminator when walls are open.
we just used bob’s pest control, in park slope, very happy with service (we had no bugs though), he was helpful on telling us what chemicals he would use, how toxic, etc.
after reading a recent article on bedbugs I’m paranoid now; they can come in through neighbors walls….
602 5th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215-3504
(718) 768-6430
Bugs is a great callout, anyone have an exterminator reference? We’re going to have a cleaning crew go in, would probably make sense to have an exterminator go in prior to them.
Ppark, we’re not using a broker on our side, and our lawyer has bene helpful, but too busy to give us that much attention sadly, so I’m just being proactive from my side. That’s also combined by the fact that since I haven’t gone through this before I want to know more about it.
Gas is National Grid, electric is Con Ed. It’s easy to close the old owner’s accounts and open new ones but you want to make sure the old owner has paid off what’s open.
Doesn’t hurt to call early on cable/phone/internet. Every once in a while Time Warner goes through a busy period or a big storm overwhelms the repair crews, and you’ll get “the earliest possible appointment is two weeks from Friday.” Better to have the service appointments scheduled now than to need the service and have to wait on it.
Movers? If you call now you can find out which days are open in their schedule (beginning and end of the month, plus Fridays are more expensive than mid-week, mid-month).
Best of luck at closing!
I’d check out the bug situation first. Where are they? How can you minimize them? It’s surprising how many people accept them as housemates.
the water / sewer is a bit more serious than nat grid, coned and heating oil. technically they have the power to put a lien on your place, and bill you for what the owner didn’t pay or if they were severely undercharged. kind of a big deal.
If you don’t get a so called ‘Title Meter Reading’ at least 30 days prior to you taking ownership at the closing, you are liable for *everything* the prior owner didn’t pay. Yes, it could be an extreme amount of money in a crazy rare circumstance. And it apparently does not fall under the 4-year limitation rule.
Don’t sleep on this one. You may want to think about the closing date if you or seller haven’t ordered that reading.
Why are you asking these questions here? Where’s your broker and your lawyer?
Congratulations, Mixicon!
Lots of good advice here, especially about getting the floors done and changing the locks.
Get a couple of new garbage cans and have your house number spray painted on them. Check all of the electric outlets and faucets during your walkthrough; we found some problems with ours.
If you’ll be using the other unit for rental income, be aware that you may be charged a higher ‘commercial’ rate for the electricity and gas until it’s rented out. You’ll want both working when you show the unit.
A have a bottle of cold champagne ready to celebrate!