Speaking of good real estate agents, Cameron and Adam Geesaman offer great advice in BeLocal Fishers Noblesville; they share twelve things you can make sure to do while settling into your new home.

1. Change your address with the post office and all online shopping sites.

Let’s face it… driving to your old address to pick up an Amazon package is a pain. It’s better to update with USPS and Amazon as soon as you close on your new home. Both companies make it very easy to update your address online.

2. Change out your locks and reprogram your garage door openers in your new home.

This is an important part of keeping you and your family safe, as there’s no telling how many copies of the house key the old owner or contractor made, or how many were handed out to their friends and family. Home improvement stores have plenty of variety when it comes to new locks, including wifi locks with key pads in case you don’t want to ever mess with having a front door key again.

3. Introduce yourself to your neighbors.

This one may seem difficult, especially if you’re an introvert, but walking around to the five houses to the left and right of you (and anyone directly behind you) is a good way to get a feel for the neighborhood and who lives around you. Plus, you never know if you might find that perfect babysitter or new friend that lives next door!

4. Confirm all utilities, cable, and internet have been transferred.

A good real estate agent will remind you to do this well before closing, but it’s not a bad idea to double-check with each utility company to make sure that everything has been transferred into your name just before you begin moving in. Nothing is worse than needing to use the bathroom and discovering your water has not been turned on.

5. Plan your commute to work.

This is probably something you’ve thought about before making an offer on the home, but now that you’re moved in it’s a good time to drive around the area and get a feel for the lay of the land. Make sure to check the main thoroughfares for any construction closures and how long it takes to access the interstate from your new home.

6. Scope out the grocery stores and local shopping.

While you are already driving around making sure you know the best route to take to work, make sure to find your closest gas station, grocery store, pharmacy, car mechanic, and shopping malls that you may want to frequently visit. Of course Google will tell you how to get to all of these places, but nothing beats actually driving there and remembering where everything is.

7. Research and join a local social group.

Chances are high that your new neighborhood has a Facebook page or other community forum, which can be a great way to connect with neighbors and get to know people in the area. If you are wanting to branch out a little, perhaps look for a local place of worship to see if they have any groups you could join.

8. Visit the town hall or visitors center for info on events and community involvement.

If you really want to get to know the area you live in, visiting the local farmers market is one of the best ways to be introduced to not only people that live in your area, but also the vendors that frequent the area. Some larger cities may even have concerts or events throughout the year that offer FREE fun activities for families.

9. Find new health professionals in your network.

If you moved from a different city or state it may be a good idea to reach out to your old family physician to see if they have any recommendations or contacts in your new area that they can refer you to. Depending on your insurance company you may even be able to search for local health professionals in your area via their website.

10. Register for a library card.

Libraries can be one of the most underused benefits that you have as a resident in a new area. Most libraries not only rent out physical books, but also e-books, DVDs, music, comics, etc. You may be surprised to learn that your local library has even more to offer, like free wifi, social clubs, public computers, and even 3D printers.

11. Visit BMV (or DMV) if moved out of state.

No matter where you moved from, you will have to eventually go to the Bureau (or Department) of Motor Vehicles to change your address on your driver’s license. Each state has their own time limit so be aware of how long you have to make that change.

12. Utilize BeLocal to Discover Local Favorites!

Whether you are looking for a new soccer club for your kids, the best local parks, a local coffee hotspot, or anything in-between, make sure and check your BeLocal magazine!


This article is written by Cameron and Adam Geesaman of Geesaman Homes and originally appeared in BeLocal Fishers Noblesville.