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?
And don’t be shocked at having to pay the closing agent a tip of around $150. Only in New York.
yes, they will prorate the oil left in the tank.
We needed a whole new set of exterior locks on our building (parlor and basement floor) so I bought a bunch of Shlage double sets (deadbolt with thumb turn and locking knob) and had a handyman install them.
The locks were $50 a set and the handyman did it as part of a day’s work at our place (about 175 for the whole day) so I think I saved some money versus having a locksmith come over. The one drawback is each set of locks takes it own key but it was worth saving a couple hundred bucks.
I second DIBS– wish I had had the floors redone before I moved in!
We are buying in a co-op building in Prospect Heights and have been told that the entire building is wired for FIOS. I don’t know if they are yet providing service to private homes, but you might want to check into it.
Also, http://www.parkslopeparents.com has a lot of great recommendations on local vendors and amenities, and you don’t have to pay a fee.
Good luck!
don’t forget to bring lots of blank checks to closing.
I almost ran out at a closing.
ask your lawyer what else you need
No on Angie’s list. Not local enough. I did a free year during our reno and got nothing out of it, although I occasionally threatened one vendor I would blast him on Angie’s list if he didn’t come through. Look for recs for your reno by posting and reviewing archives here and from friends. References from good sources are best, for both contractors and vendors.
At closing for a building purchase I had to pay the seller for the oil in the tank. The seller’s fuel oil company had put a measuring stick in the tank a day before closing & they came up w/ #gallons x price/gal to arrive at the amount for one of the many checks at closing. I assume this is standard practice. My previous purchases had been w/ gas fired heating systems.
Any opinions on whether or not Angie’s List is worth the membership fees?
Cleaning crew? “Broom clean” is relative.