Client Resource
What to do after you close on your new home
The keys are yours. Now there's a short list of things to take care of before you unpack a single box. Organized by when to handle each one so nothing falls through the cracks.
Closing day gets all the attention. You sign, you get the keys, everybody shakes hands. But the week after closing is where a lot of buyers lose their footing. There are accounts to set up, deadlines to hit, and small details that feel unimportant until they turn into problems six months later.
We send this page to every buyer we work with. It covers what to handle and when. Not everything on here will apply to your specific situation, but most of it will. Print it, bookmark it, or just keep it open on your phone for the first few weeks.
Before move-in day
Change the locks
Do this before you move a single piece of furniture in. You don't know who has copies of the existing keys. The previous owner, their house cleaner, their neighbor, their contractor. Rekey every exterior lock and every deadbolt. If the home has a smart lock, reset it to factory and create your own codes. The cost is small. The peace of mind is not.
Reset garage door codes and remotes
Same logic as the locks. Clear all programmed remotes from the garage door opener and reprogram your own. The instructions are usually printed on a label on the motor unit itself. If you can't find them, the manufacturer's website will have them. This takes ten minutes.
Confirm your homeowner's insurance is active
Your lender required proof of insurance before closing, so coverage should already be in place. But call your insurance company and confirm that the policy is active, that the property address is correct, and that your coverage amounts still match what you intended. If you added or changed anything during the buying process, make sure the final policy reflects it.
Set up utilities
Contact the gas, electric, water, and trash providers for your new address and put the accounts in your name. Some of these can be done online. Others require a phone call. Do this before you move in so you're not sitting in a dark house on night one. We put the direct start and transfer links for LA, the Inland Empire, and Orange County on one page: set up your utilities by county.
If the home has solar panels, find out whether the system is owned or leased and whether the utility account needs a separate solar interconnection agreement. Your escrow documents should have the details. If anything is unclear, call us.
Set up internet and cable
Schedule installation for the day of or the day after your move. Providers often book a week or more out, so call early. If the previous owner had the same provider, the technician visit might be quicker. Ask.
First week in the home
Forward your mail
File a change of address with USPS using the official form at usps.com, or in person at your local post office. Forwarding takes a few days to start, so do this as early as possible. The official online form charges a $1.25 identity verification fee. Ignore any site that charges $20 or $40 for this. Those are copycats, not the Postal Service.
Activate your home warranty
If a home warranty was included in your transaction (either purchased by you or provided by the seller), make sure it's registered and active. Call the warranty company, confirm the coverage start date, and save their claims phone number in your contacts. If something breaks in the first few months, you want to be able to file a claim without scrambling for the paperwork.
Before you ever file, it's worth knowing how to use a warranty without getting a claim denied. Here's our full guide: your home warranty, and how to use it.
Locate your emergency shutoffs
Walk the property and find the main water shutoff, the gas shutoff, and the electrical panel. Know where they are before you need them. If a pipe bursts at 2 a.m., you don't want to be searching with a flashlight. Label the circuits on the electrical panel if the previous owner didn't.
If you have a water heater, find its shutoff valve too. Same for any irrigation system.
Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
Press the test button on every detector in the house. Replace batteries in any unit that doesn't respond. California law requires working smoke detectors in every bedroom and on every floor. Carbon monoxide detectors are required on every floor with a fuel burning appliance or an attached garage.
Register with your HOA
If the property is in a homeowner's association, contact the management company and register as the new owner. Get access to the online portal, review the CC&Rs if you haven't already, and note any upcoming assessments or meetings. Some HOAs require registration within a specific window after closing. Don't let this slip.
Beyond USPS forwarding, you'll want to update your address directly with your bank, credit card companies, employer, DMV, voter registration, insurance providers, the IRS (if you file a change of address), any subscription services, your kids' school records, and your doctor's office. Forwarding catches most mail, but some organizations only send to the address on file.
First month
Know when your first mortgage payment is due
Your first mortgage payment is not due the month after closing. It's usually due on the first of the second full month after your closing date. So if you close on April 10, your first payment would typically be due June 1. The prepaid interest collected at closing covers the gap between your closing date and the end of that month.
Your closing disclosure has the exact date. If you set up autopay with your lender, confirm the first draw date so there's no confusion.
Watch for your supplemental tax bill
This one catches people off guard. California reassesses your home's value when ownership changes, and the county sends a separate supplemental tax bill based on the difference between the old assessed value and your purchase price. It arrives three to nine months after closing, and your lender probably won't pay it for you.
We wrote a full explanation of how supplemental tax bills work, when to expect yours, and how to pay it. Read it here: Why new California homeowners receive a supplemental tax bill.
File for the homeowner's property tax exemption
If this is your primary residence, California offers a homeowner's exemption that reduces your assessed value by $7,000, which saves about $70 a year. It takes five minutes to file and the benefit continues every year you own the home. Contact your county assessor's office or look for the BOE-266 claim form on their website. File by February 15 for the full exemption; if you file after that but by December 10, you receive 80 percent for that year.
This does not happen automatically. You have to file. Here's how, with the direct links to your county assessor: file for the homeowner's exemption. One note: you never pay to file this, so ignore any letter offering to do it for a fee.
Your closing disclosure, grant deed, title insurance policy, home warranty contract, and inspection reports should all be stored together. A fireproof box or a secure digital folder works. You'll need these documents for tax filing, insurance claims, future refinancing, and eventually when you sell. Here's our full guide on which closing documents to keep and why.
First 90 days
Update your DMV registration
California requires you to update your address with the DMV within 10 days of moving. Do it online through the official California DMV change of address, which updates both your driver's license and your vehicle registration. It's free. Your physical license won't change, but the address on file will be current, which matters for registration renewals and any legal correspondence.
Build your local contacts list
Save the non-emergency police number for your area. Find a reliable plumber, electrician, and HVAC technician before you need one. When something goes wrong on a Saturday night, you don't want to be cold-calling strangers. If you need recommendations, call us. We've worked with contractors across the South Bay and can point you to people we trust.
Get to know the property
The first few months teach you how the home behaves. Where does water collect after rain? Which rooms run warm or cold? Do the sprinklers actually cover the whole yard? Pay attention. Small things you notice now are easier and cheaper to fix than the same things discovered a year later.
If anything feels wrong or looks off, say something early. If you have a home warranty, report issues while coverage is active. If something was flagged in the inspection report but deferred, put a reminder on your calendar to follow up.
Review your insurance coverage at the 90 day mark
Once you've lived in the home for a few months, you'll have a better sense of what you own and what matters. Review your homeowner's insurance policy. Make sure your personal property coverage, liability limits, and any riders (for jewelry, art, home office equipment) still fit. If you've made any improvements or brought in expensive items, update your policy before something happens.
Why we send this to every buyer
At The JJFerrer Group, closing is not where our job ends. The weeks right after you get the keys are when the most questions come up and the most things slip. We'd rather hand you a clear list than have you find out about a missed deadline the hard way.
If anything on this page doesn't apply to your situation, skip it. If something comes up that isn't covered here, call us. That's what we're for.
This page is for general information only. It is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Every property and every transaction is different. For questions specific to your situation, consult the appropriate licensed professional.
Common Questions
After closing, answered
What should I do first after closing on a house?
Before you move anything in, change or rekey all the locks and reset the garage door codes, then set up your utilities and confirm your homeowner's insurance is active. These steps protect both you and your property from day one.
When do I get the keys and the deed after closing in California?
You become the legal owner when the county records the grant deed, which usually happens the same day or the next business day after your loan funds. Your agent arranges the key handoff once recording is confirmed. The physical recorded deed is mailed to you separately, often two weeks or more later, but you own the home from the moment of recording.
Should I change the locks on my new house?
Yes, change or rekey every exterior lock before your first night. You have no way of knowing how many key copies the previous owners, their agents, or their contractors still hold. Rekeying is the cheapest route, often around $50 to $150, and you can reset garage codes and any smart lock credentials at the same time.
How soon after closing is my first mortgage payment due?
Your first mortgage payment is usually due on the first of the second full month after closing. If you close on April 10, your first payment would typically be due June 1. The exact date is on your closing disclosure, and prepaid interest collected at closing covers the gap.
Do I need to file the California homeowners' exemption after buying a home?
Yes, if the home is your principal residence. The exemption reduces your assessed value by $7,000, saving about $70 a year. You file a one-time claim form, BOE-266, with your county assessor. File by February 15 for the full exemption; if you file after that but by December 10, you receive 80 percent for that year. It does not apply automatically.
What is the supplemental property tax bill, and why didn't escrow pay it?
When you buy, the county reassesses the home to your purchase price, and the difference generates a one-time supplemental tax bill for the rest of the fiscal year. It usually arrives a few months to about six months after closing and is mailed directly to you, not your lender, so an impound or escrow account generally will not pay it. Budget for it as a separate cost.
New Homeowner Resources
Everything after closing, in one place
The full set of guides we keep for our buyers. Start with the checklist, then work through the rest as you settle in.
Questions?
We stay in your corner after the keys change hands.
Whether you just closed and need a contractor recommendation, or you're staring at a bill you don't recognize, reach out. This is what we do.