How Can You Help Your First-Time Home Buyers After Purchasing?

Louisiana REALTORS • August 9, 2019

The homebuying process is a long one.  The culmination of all of this hardwork is seeing your client through their final walkthrough.  While the dotted line is signed and the ink is dry, it’s little steps like this that can turn a satisfied customer into a return client that is eager to recommend you to their friends and family.  Here are a few tips and tricks you pass along to your newly satisfied clients as they begin to make their new house a home.

Start with Painting and Repairs

Look for any updates, upgrades, or repairs that can be made before moving in.  Taking these actions while the home is empty will be much easier.  Whether it’s a new coat of paint, touching up scuffed up floors, or hanging new fixtures, take care of it before you have a house full of stuff.

Have Your New Home Professionally Cleaned

Hiring a cleaner to freshen up every square inch of your new home is great way to get off on the right foot.  This will allow the house to be thoroughly cleaned.  It may seem small, and is an added expense, but it can take quite a load off from the stress of moving.

Remember to Change the Locks

After moving in, changing the locks is a prudent idea.  Remember to address all of the access points to your new home.  This isn’t to say that there is a reason to distrust the seller, but you also aren’t aware of anyone else who may have a key to your house.  There are also new options for doors and locks.  Smart locks and home automation features may be an update you’d like to make, this is a great opportunity.

Be Familiar with the HOA

If your new neighborhood has an HOA you can save yourself a lot of time, money, and headaches if you are familiar with their policies.  You can get off on the right foot by having the right paperwork ready and anything else you may in your neighborhood.

These are only a few tips that can go along way in making for a smooth transition.  Another helpful suggestion for going the extra mile is to put together an easy to use reference guide, especially if your clients are new to the area. Include local takeout menus, automobile service companies, attractions and more. 

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NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide offering homeowners factors to consider when deciding whether to sell their home. The guide includes seven discussion points to help potential sellers think through the decision with the help of a real estate professional who’s a REALTOR®. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow up to two weeks for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Thinking of Selling? 7 Factors to Consider How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient Can’t Pay Your Mortgage? You Have Options 8 Tips for Selling Your Home in Winter Hiring a Remodeling Contractor Real Estate Contract Contingencies Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their home buying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for the next consumer guide, which will look at factors to consider when deciding whether to purchase real estate as an investment.
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