Now what?
- Update the utilities so they’re now in your name
- Electrical – There are two electrical service providers in Portland. Most of N, NW, SW, S, and SE is serviced by Portland General Electric (PGE), and most of NE Portland is served by Pacific Power. If your address isn’t served by one, try plugging it into the other.
- Water/Sewer – This is set up and paid directly to the City of Portland.
- Gas – NW Natural is likely your provider for natural gas if your home uses it.
- Trash/Recycling – You can find which company serves your address via Portland Maps (type in your address and click on utilities),
- Internet – The most common is Xfinity. Another option is Century Link. You may be in a Quantum Fiber zone too. There are other smaller ones as well.
- Change your locks. If you have a home warranty, check to see if this is included (it might be!)
- If your home uses a furnace, set up an appointment to service it. This should be done yearly. Also don’t forget to swap out the furnace filter. Also consider setting up an appointment to have the ducts cleaned by a professional, especially if you have allergies.
- Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Adjust the water heater to the temperature you prefer.
- Use your inspection report to be a maintenance to do list. Start with the stuff that is most time sensitive and work from there.
- Clean your gutters often! This is super important here in this climate.
- Keep your loan and closing documents somewhere very safe. Make copies and keep them digitally as well.
- Do a change of address form at the post office and notify your bank, auto insurance, credit cards, health insurance, doctor’s offices, employer, subscriptions, catalogs, amazon, etc of your new address.
- Also update your address with any online shopping places you frequent, especially if you do subscriptions/recurring orders. Amazon, Chewy, Target, eBay, any meal delivery places, restaurant delivery apps, magazines, etc. We almost always hear about a box of dog food delivered a month or two later somewhere it shouldn’t.
- Let your friends and family know your new address too, so you don’t get a birthday card sent to your old address.
- Update your Drivers License or State ID.
- Update your voter registration address if eligible to vote.
- If you have kids in school, and they’re changing schools, contact the new school to get them transferred.
- Introduce yourself to your neighbors (if you want).
- If you have a fireplace, get a chimney expert out to make sure it’s inspected, serviced and cleaned properly before use.
- Locate the water main shutoff. If you have a broken pipe and a bad leak you want to be able to turn this off quickly so know where it is.
- Register for Opt out prescreen and DMA Choice to reduce junk mail (it’s worth doing both).
- You will get lots of spam about your loan that look like late notices or loan insurance or whatever. Ignore them! Your mortgage info is public knowledge so scammers look this up.
Did I miss anything on this list? Let me know and I’ll add it!