Griha Pravesh Checklist

Before the ceremony

A Griha Pravesh is the first time your family walks into the home as its owners. Most of the work happens before that day, during escrow. This is the list I would go through with you, so nothing is left for the morning of the puja. If you are still searching, start with my Diwali home-buying guide.

Match the ceremony to the possession date

• Your priest or pandit chooses the date and time; I do not. Share the possession date from your purchase contract with them before you set it.
• The day escrow closes and the day you get the keys can differ, for example when the seller stays on for a few days after closing. Plan the ceremony for a day you already hold the keys.
• If the date matters to your family, tell me before we write the offer, so we can ask for a closing and possession date that fits.

Utilities

• Call the electric, gas, water and trash providers for the address a week or two before closing, and ask for service in your name from the possession date.
• Book internet installation early; appointments can fill up.
• Note the meter readings on your first day in the home.

Homeowners insurance

Your lender will ask for a policy before closing, so shop for it as soon as your offer is accepted. My homeowners insurance guide covers coverage types, deductibles and what to ask an agent.

Locks and keys

• Rekey or change the exterior locks.
• Reset the garage door opener codes and any keypad or smart lock.
• Collect every key, remote and mailbox key at the walk-through, and ask where the main water and gas shut-offs are.

The puja-day list

Ask your pandit for the full list your family's tradition uses. Many lists include:

• a kalash with water, mango leaves and a coconut
• flowers and garlands for the doorway
• diyas, ghee or oil, and matches
• turmeric, kumkum, rice and incense
• milk and a new pot to boil it in the kitchen
• sweets to share with family and guests

If your family holds a path at home instead, such as Sukhmani Sahib, ask your gurdwara what to arrange. Either way, clean the home and set out seating and serving space the day before.

Your first property tax bill

After you buy in Los Angeles County, the county reassesses the home as of the first day of the month following the ownership change (Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, retrieved November 2026). If the new value is higher than the old assessment, the difference comes as a separate supplemental bill, sent to you as the new owner, in addition to the regular annual bill. Ask your lender whether your impound account pays it, and plan to pay it yourself if it does not. The supplemental bill has its own due and delinquency dates, printed on that bill.

The regular annual bill comes in two installments; the first is due November 1 and delinquent December 10, with a 10% penalty if unpaid (Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, retrieved November 2026). Your title company and lender can tell you which bills were paid at closing.

Homes in the cities I cover

Still deciding where to live? The median value of owner-occupied homes was $935,300 (U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts (American Community Survey 5-year estimates), as of 2020–2024, retrieved October 2026) in Cerritos and $644,700 (U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts (American Community Survey 5-year estimates), as of 2020–2024, retrieved October 2026) in Norwalk; these are Census estimates over several years, not today's list prices. See my guides to Artesia, Cerritos and Norwalk, or call or message me.