Five Immediate Actions to Take After the Purchase of a Real Estate Property

Congratulations on your new home! In the current real estate market, acquiring a property in Tunisia is a significant achievement worthy of celebration. After navigating through the stages of property search, making an offer, securing a mortgage, and completing the transaction, you may be wondering about the next steps beyond the move-in process. Are there other considerations or actions you should take now that you’ve become a property owner?

Upon signing the papers and receiving your keys, there are several tasks you should undertake to ensure peace of mind and a smooth transition to your new residence, whether it’s a house in Marsa, Nabeul, Sousse, or anywhere else in Tunisia.

In this Al-Mindhar article, we will guide you through five essential things to do immediately after the purchase of a new real estate property, be it an apartment, traditional house, villa, or any other type of dwelling.

• I-Ensure the Security of Your Home
• II-Implement Safety Measures for Children and Pets
• III-Connect Public Utilities
• IV-Conduct an Energy Audit
• VI-Introduce Yourself to the Neighbors

I-Ensure the Security of Your Home

Securing your new real estate property begins with a crucial step: changing the locks and keys of your new home, as well as all other access points, immediately after receiving the keys. This simple yet critical measure allows you to control who has access to your property, enhancing your security and peace of mind. After all, it’s impossible to know who might possess a duplicate key to the existing lock.

The cost of replacing locks depends on various factors such as the desired level of security, the sophistication of the lock, and whether you prefer to hire a professional locksmith or handle it yourself. If your property is equipped with an alarm system, budget for potential reconnection costs or consider changing service providers.

During the closing process, be sure to request instruction manuals and codes for electronic systems, including home alarms and garage codes. Additionally, ensure that these codes are modified and known only to you. If manuals are not readily available, online resources can provide reprogramming guidelines for added convenience.

II-Implement Safety Measures for Children and Pets

If you have young children at home or a pet, ensure that your space is secure for them. Install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs, use outlet covers, secure heavy furniture to walls, and keep furniture away from windows. Store long power cords in safe places.

Furthermore, keep hazardous items out of reach by storing cleaning products, detergents, trash bins, heavy kitchen utensils, sharp objects, and potentially dangerous packaging supplies in secure locations. These precautions help create an environment suitable for children and pets, minimize potential risks, and promote a safe living space for all family members.

III-Connect Public Utilities

Ensure that the utilities at your previous residence are disconnected, and arrange for their transfer or activation at your new home. Anticipate any potential fees associated with the transfer or initiation of new services.

As a new customer, reach out to the utility companies to understand the necessary steps for setting up the service. Here is a brief list of utilities you may need to establish:

• Water & Sewage
• Electricity & Gas
• Garbage Collection

IV-Conduct an Energy Audit

Electricity is the most costly utility service for homeowners, and recent years have seen a surge in energy costs. The impact of the first electricity bill can be mitigated through an energy audit, which involves a comprehensive examination of the energy consumption and efficiency of your new home.

Request an audit from your electricity company or hire an independent auditor to assess your entire property. This involves analyzing the energy efficiency of each room, overall energy consumption, the effectiveness of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and insulation levels.

VI-Introduce Yourself to the Neighbors

Introducing yourself to neighbors after the purchase of a new real estate property is an essential step to foster a sense of belonging to a community and create a harmonious living environment. Building connections with those who live nearby not only contributes to a friendly and welcoming atmosphere in the neighborhood but also establishes a network of support and camaraderie. Knowing your neighbors can also create a sense of security, as they may become valuable allies in times of need or emergency situations.