Congratulations on buying a Lake Havasu home. This very well may be the biggest financial decision you make in your life. As a new homeowner, there are a few very important areas you need to focus on right away.

New Homeowner Tips: What You Should Focus on First

Warranty Time

If the seller did not offer a home warranty when you purchased your property, you might want to consider buying one yourself. A standard home warranty covers the major systems of a home (electrical, plumbing, appliances, HVAC, etc.). Most warranties last for one year. This takes the stress off worrying about whether or not you need to shell out thousands of dollars if one of these systems breaks on you during this time. A warranty may prove worthwhile even if you purchase a brand-new home.

Change Out Your Locks

Another quick yet effective tip for new homeowners is to change the locks on your exterior doors. Even though the old homeowner handed over the keys at signing, for your safety and the safety of your family, it never hurts to change out the locks. When you do that, consider also adding a home security system. Today's systems are not only easy to install, but they can be very economical. But the peace of mind they provide is priceless.

Foundation Check

Home inspectors check the foundation as part of their process. However, it never hurts for you to do a check yourself once you move in. Some things may get accidentally overlooked. You want to see a slight slope (7" to 12") away from the foundation of your home to allow for proper drainage. Also, look for visible cracks or other signs of damage. If you see any signs of trouble, contact a professional to come out to assess the situation.

Find the Main Water Shut-Off

Finally, find out where your main water shut-off is located. Why? What if a pipe bursts in the house somewhere? You will want to know where that main water shut-off is located so you can minimize damage inside your property as much as possible. Hopefully, you never need to access it. But you'll be extremely happy you know where it is if you do.

Sunstone Real Estate Group at Coldwell Banker Realty, Lake Havasu City, AZ