9 Things to do Before Moving in
Buying a new home is an exciting time in your life, and as you approach closing , your mind may be spinning with all of the projects you’re planning once you move in. However, there are certain things you should go ahead and do prior to moving day in order to make the transition as smooth as possible. It’s easy to forget some of these practical steps when you have so much going on. Below, we’ll highlight nine things you should do prior to living in your new home.
1. Turn on mail forwarding
You’ll want to ensure you don’t miss out on any important mail, such as bills and mortgage information, as you’re moving. A simple change of address request on the USPS website will allow your mail to be forwarded to you to prevent a lapse in communication while you update your address for important services like banking and insurance.
2. Change the locks
Arguably one of the first things you should do after receiving the keys to your new home is to change out the existing locks. After all, the current key has been passed around between the home’s previous owner, real estate agents and others who may have had access while the home was on the market. When we purchased our current home, we had a locksmith come out the same day we closed on the house to change all of the exterior locks, so we felt comfortable moving our belongings over and spending the night there.
For your safety and peace of mind, changing the locks as soon as possible means anyone who had a key will no longer be able to enter the home.
3. Give it a deep cleaning
Chances are, there has been a lot of foot traffic in and out of your new home between showings, open houses, inspections and more. Before you begin moving in furniture and unpacking boxes, go through and do a good deep cleaning while there’s nothing in your way. Don’t forget to dust the blinds, wipe the cobwebs from the corners and give the bathrooms a good scrub in addition to the basics like vacuuming and mopping the floors. You might even consider hiring a cleaning service for a one-time deep clean.
4. Get a termite and pest contract
If the previous owner maintained a pest and termite contract on the home, it’ll be easy to renew this when you purchase the home. If there wasn’t one already in place, it’s even more important to initiate one as soon as you purchase your home to protect the structure and prevent pesky insects.
5. Check your home systems
Typically, your home inspector will check all of the home’s systems to ensure they’re working properly before you actually close on the home. However, it’s still a good idea to go back through before moving in and just ensure everything is working as it should – this also gives you a chance to familiarize yourself with the systems in your new home, such as the air conditioning and heating, fireplaces, appliances, water heater and more.
6. Clean HVAC system
On a similar note, check your HVAC system to see if it needs to be cleaned. The outdoor units, in particular, get dirty quickly. But the good news is, they’re very easy to clean using a formula you can pick up at a home improvement store. Keeping the unit clean means it will run more efficiently, cooling better and hopefully decreasing your energy bill. Changing the air filters inside your home before moving in is also a good idea, since it probably hasn’t been done in a number of months while the home was on the market.
7. Find your water shutoff valve
In the event you ever need to turn off the main valve that brings water into your home, it’s a good idea to know exactly where it’s located before you move in. Where your water meter and valves are located will depend on the climate in your area – in colder climates, they’re usually inside but in milder climates, they’re often located on an exterior wall or in an underground box. Trust me when I say knowing where the shutoff valve is key – our hot water heater exploded last year, and I immediately ran outside and shut off the water to prevent further water damage in our home. It really did make all the difference in our situation!
8. Get familiar with the electrical panel
If you’re lucky, the previous owner labeled the electrical panel with which circuit breakers belong to which rooms so you can easily turn the power on or off when needed. If they didn’t, though, you’ll want to take some time to figure out which breakers control which areas of your home and make notes for future reference.
9. Check your smoke detectors
The batteries in smoke detectors should be changed regularly to ensure they work properly. Since you don’t know when the existing batteries were last changed in your new home, it’s a good idea to replace all throughout the house to keep you and your family safe. If you have any type of gas line coming into your home, it’s also important to install a carbon monoxide detector if there isn’t one in the home already. With so many things running through your mind as you buy a new home, it’s easy to overlook some things that need to be done in order to maintain the safety and integrity of the house. Carry a list with you and add things to it as they come to mind, so you’ll be ready to take action as soon as you become a new homeowner.