Essential First Steps for Families After Closing on a New Home

Webmaster Note: Guest Post by Lucille Rosetti from The Bereaved Blog, an independent and frequent valuable contributer to our blog. The views and opinions expressed in the article are those of the author, and may or may not necessarily reflect those of ad Dei Gloriam Ministries. We have no relationship with any of the organizations linked within the article.

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Buying a house marks more than a financial milestone—it represents the beginning of a new chapter for your family. Once the papers are signed and the keys are in your hands, the work of shaping a safe, stable, and faith-centered household begins. These early days set the tone for years to come, and the choices you make immediately after closing matter greatly. Think of them as foundations, not just for the structure you purchased, but for the rhythms of family life inside it. By approaching this transition thoughtfully, you can protect your investment, nurture your loved ones, and open space for God’s guidance in your new surroundings.

Secure the Home Inside and Out

One of the first priorities is protecting your household from preventable risks. Changing locks, adding lighting, and checking every entry point gives your family peace of mind before your first night in the house. This is also the moment to walk your property line and think about practical safety layers. Whether it’s a new fence, outdoor motion lights, or landscaping choices, being intentional early will keep intruders and accidents at bay. Many families overlook how important the outside perimeter can be in shaping daily comfort. Reviewing proven methods of securing your property’s perimeter ensures you can rest without worry, confident that your new home is both welcoming and protected.

Review and Transfer the Builder Warranty

If your home is newly built, don’t forget to examine your warranty documents. Many builders provide coverage for structural elements, systems, and workmanship, but you must confirm the transfer is complete and active under your name. Missing this step could leave you paying for expensive repairs that were otherwise covered. Mark the expiration dates of each category—roofing, HVAC, foundation—and set calendar reminders. Families that stay proactive in this area often save thousands of dollars and preserve peace of mind. Understanding the importance of a structural warranty helps you lean on protection already in place, with some warranties like 2-10 offering up to 10 years of structural coverage.

Learn the Utilities and Shut-Off Points

Water, electricity, and gas are lifelines in your home, and knowing where the shut-offs are located isn’t optional—it’s essential. If a pipe bursts or a gas leak occurs, minutes can mean the difference between minor damage and major disaster. Take time now to explore your basement, crawl space, or utility closet to find the controls, label them clearly, and explain their function to older family members. Keep a simple flashlight nearby so you’re never caught fumbling in the dark during an emergency.

Organize Important Documents Immediately

Closing day leaves you with a stack of paperwork thicker than most people expect. Deeds, loan agreements, warranties, and receipts should never be tossed in a random drawer. Instead, purchase a fireproof lockbox or filing system to keep everything protected and easy to find. Make it a family standard from day one by organizing closing documents safely and storing them in a place everyone can access if needed. This habit not only saves time when tax season comes but also reduces stress when questions about property lines or loan terms arise. Family members who step in during illness or travel will also benefit from knowing exactly where these papers are kept.

Test Every Safety Detector

Fire and carbon monoxide are invisible dangers that no new homeowner should ignore. Even if the previous owner assured you the detectors were fine, test them yourself and replace batteries immediately. Consider upgrading to interconnected models that alert the entire home if one sensor detects a problem. Children, elderly family members, and pets rely on you to keep these systems working flawlessly. Schedule reminders on your phone for regular checks, turning safety into a habit rather than a once-and-done task.

Prepare Financially for Home Repairs

Homeownership doesn’t end with a mortgage payment—repairs and replacements will come faster than you think. A broken appliance, roof leak, or unexpected plumbing issue can derail family budgets if no reserve is set aside. Starting a separate savings account for housing emergencies removes the temptation to dip into funds meant for tithes, groceries, or schooling. Even modest contributions add up over time and cushion you against costly surprises.

Find a Faithful New Church Home

Beyond locks and documents, your new community will shape your family’s spiritual growth. Seeking out a local church where worship, teaching, and fellowship align with your beliefs ensures your transition doesn’t stall your walk with Christ. Visit several congregations, talk to leaders, and observe how children’s ministries or outreach programs fit your family’s needs. Remember, a church is more than a building—it’s the people who will pray with you, support you, and hold you accountable in seasons of both joy and hardship. Relocating can feel disorienting, but anchoring yourself in a congregation quickly restores rhythm and belonging.

These first steps aren’t simply chores—they are investments in safety, stability, and spiritual well-being. Let each measure remind you that a house may be purchased in a day, but a home is built through daily care and prayer.

Avoiding Scams while Helping the Victims of Hurricane Harvey

Natural disasters tend to bring out the best in most people, but the worst in others. For the past few days, most of us have marveled at the tireless efforts of the rescue workers (many are unpaid volunteers) in the wake of Hurricane Harvey's destruction and flooding in South Texas. We couldn't be prouder of our fellow Texans. We are also deeply appreciative of those from other states sacrificing their time and efforts for their fellow Americans.

Unfortunately, disasters also attract predators who typically exploit others for their own gain. No, I'm not talking about the "mainstream" media. Actually, many reporters did a pretty good job in their coverage, although the usual outlets (CNN, MSNBC etc) attempted to add their typical political spin, however unbelievable they may sound to any thinking person. I'm speaking instead of the charity scam artists, who take advantage of the generous charitable nature of people in order to bilk donors of monetary aid that is intended for the victims. It has been estimated that almost $2 billion dollars went to bogus charities after Hurricane Katrina.

The Federal Trade Commission offers the following common sense advice when dealing with Charities:

• Donate only to charities that you know and trust, and have a proven track record of dealing with disasters. Beware of those who use a very similar names to a well-known reputable charity.
• Check out the charity with the Better Business Bureau's (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, or GuideStar.
• Avoid those who ask for donations in cash, ask you to wire money, or offer to send a courier or overnight delivery service to collect the donation immediately.
• Specify the exact disaster that you would like your donation to go toward. Many charities, the Red Cross in particular, sometimes stockpiles donations during a disaster, then moves a portion to the general fund that goes to pay for expenses such huge salaries, fund raising, advertising etc.
• When texting to donate, confirm the number with the source before you donate. The charge will show up on your mobile phone bill, but donations are not immediate.

You can find many more tips at Before Giving to a Charity.

What about the Red Cross?

The Red Cross began as a Christian organization, but sadly has devolved primarily into a very profitable "non-profit" secular agency in order to work more closely with governmental agencies and large corporations that typically will not donate through the much more efficient Christian charitable agencies. I remember a few years ago when a Red Cross office worker was threatened with termination if she didn't remove an ornament from her desk that contained a bible verse.

After Katrina, a deputy marshal was asked to leave a Red Cross shelter because he was praying with stranded refugees. In addition, an Albany, Louisiana church shelter took in a family who stated that they were kicked out a Red Cross shelter because they were reading from their family bible. The Christian shelter workers thought that there must have been a misunderstanding, until three other families later arrived after being booted for the same reason. No one had complained about the prayers or bible readings, but Red Cross representatives defended the decisions with the usual statement that their shelters take in families from diverse backgrounds, and didn't want to offend anyone (except for the Christians that were kicked out to fend for themselves in the extreme weather conditions).

The Red Cross also has a history of mismanagement. After a year long congressional investigation into Red Cross activities following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, a congressional committee headed by Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley released a report in June of 2016 showing that, of the $500 million in donations for earthquake relief, almost $125 million was spent on internal expenses. Many questions from investigators went unanswered, and the Red Cross was unable or unwilling to explain where the money went.

In addition, the Red Cross typically sends a much smaller percentage of received donations to the victims than various Christian charities such as Samaritan's Purse, The Salvation Army, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, or multiple other fine organizations.

This is not to say that the Red Cross does not provide good humanitarian aid, and we certainly would not group them with the scammers or frauds. We are troubled by the anti-Christian bias coming from their top management, but we also personally know of many dedicated Christians who are working very long hours with them at the regional and local levels. We choose to donate through various Christian charities because a larger portion of our donations generally go to the victims, but urge our readers to follow their own conscience regarding these matters.

Finally, we'd like to say "Thanks Again" for all those who are helping in so many ways. We also ask for your continued prayers for both the spiritual and physical needs of the victims and the dedicated workers.

Update: Shortly after posting this, we received info from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that many homeowners and renters are getting robocalls stating that their flood premiums are past due and that, in order to have coverage for Hurricane Harvey, the consumers are being told they must submit a payment immediately through various means. DO NOT do this. Contact your insurance agent instead. If you suspect fraud, you can also call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline toll free at 1-866-720-5721.