Congratulations, you’ve bought a new home! Enjoy the ride, but remember these golden tips to avoid an overwhelming situation. We asked home owners to share their tips on how to settle in without stress. From creating an easy-to-use bill payment system to meeting your neighbors, they shared some of their most useful advice. Create a system to pay your bills
You may be used to having funds debited from your account – your rent, your streaming services, your phone bill, your gym – but when you buy a home, a few more (rather large) bills start coming your way such as insurance, water, gas and electricity.
Using BPAY to pay bills can help you avoid having unexpected direct debits coming out of your account. Pexels
You will want to create a system that is reliable and secure to pay bills. This way, you won’t be surprised when the day comes. You’ll see the BPAY symbol on bills from utility companies and phone bills. You can schedule payments to be made at a time that suits you, such as the day after payday. Alice, a homeowner in south Sydney, says: “It’s a great way to keep track of all my bills.” It’s safe because BPAY does not receive your account or personal information during the payment. You can use BPAY to pay directly through your internet or mobile banking. All you need is your customer reference number, the biller code and the amount, as shown on the invoice. It’s too easy.
2. Get to know your neighbours
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Whether you absolutely love your neighbours or you barely tolerate each other, don’t underestimate how beneficial it can be to have friends in close quarters.
Friendly neighbours provide an extra layer of security. Picture: Getty
Depending on how long you plan to stay put, your neighbours could be in your life for decades. Not only will you need their help at some stage, but it also makes the environment more pleasant for all. Prepare for emergencies
Whether you previously rented or lived with your parents, you’re probably used to having someone else arrange the handiwork when things go wrong. If this is your first home purchase, it may come as a shock when you suddenly need a plumber because your drains are blocked or you need a wasps nest removed from your entryway.
First of all, don’t forget to buy insurance. Second, you should have a list of reliable people to call for any plumbing, electrical, or gas issues that may arise. Start practicing your handy skills
Further to that last point, you’ll suddenly find yourself needing to do chores you’d never even heard of.
From caulking gaps in your windows to finding the studs in your walls, you’ll need to expand your home care know-how. You can hire a pro to do some jobs, but now is the time to develop your DIY skills. You may find that you need to buy new equipment, such as ladders or lawnmowers. I think electric lawnmowers are available now but my mower isn’t. Then I learned the tricks like knowing the right time to flood the engine, not mixing oil and fuel, and how to avoid it. “The mowing is simple!”
5. Check your mailbox. There’s lots of junk mail. Catalogues and coupons may be all you receive, as most communications are now online. It could be a council notice about roadwork, new development plans, or an alert that there is electricity maintenance in your neighborhood. Miss a council notice and next thing you know an airport is moving in next door.
Speaking of councils, don’t forget to check and change your voter registration to your new address.
*Scheduled payments are subject to systems and funds availability. Over 150 BPAY Scheme Members offer BPAY Payments. The BPAY Scheme, managed by BPAY Pty Ltd. BPAY Scheme receives fees for processing and membership. To find out if your institution offers BPAY, and for the applicable terms and conditions, contact them. Any advice given by BPAY Pty Ltd regarding BPAY products are general and have not been based on your financial circumstances, objectives or needs. Before acting on such advice, you should review the Product Disclosure Statement and consider whether BPAY payment products are appropriate for your personal circumstances.
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