You've searched for and found the perfect place to call home  congratulations!  Few things are more exciting than becoming a homeowner, but it is also one of the largest financial investments you'll ever make, which is why it's important to start off on the right foot. Here are my go-to tips for those first few weeks in your new home that can save you time, money, and effort later down the road.

Meeting your neighbors is one of the most important things you can do once you move in. After all, you never know when youll need a good neighbor to grab the mail or water the plants when youre out of town (or when you may need a few eggs for the brownies you're making at 8:30 pm).

Theres nothing more inconvenient than having to paint a home while youre living in it. Schedule the movers a few days after closing occurs so that you have time to give your new home a deep clean and paint the main living areas.

Theres no telling how many people have a key to your home  from former homeowners to babysitters, neighbors, pet sitters, etc. It can be a lot. You can either hire a locksmith or buy and install a new, electronic deadbolt.

What's one thing you wish you would have done before you moved into your first home? Let me know in the comments!