Moving into a new house involves a lot of decisions. The process of completely settling in is hampered by more than just unpacking. Assuming your responsibilities as a homeowner includes being familiar with your home, understanding how it operates, and setting priorities for the projects you wish to complete. Instead of waiting and hoping you’ll work everything out later, it’s best to get everything right when you move in. Of course, you’ve already got a lot going on. Therefore, we’ve compiled this list of the top 10 things you should do before moving into a new home to help you organize your to-do list.
Complete the entire tour
There is no better time than when your new home is absolutely empty to conduct a thorough walkthrough. Therefore, before moving anything in, have a look around and make one last check of the following things:
- Verify that all required and approved repairs were done by the prior owner.
- The home is fully equipped with everything that was supposed to be included in the transaction, and all of the doors, windows, outlets, switches, and fixtures operate as they should.
- All warranties and instructions for use were left behind by the vendor.
- The residence is free of dust, clutter, mold, and bugs.
- The condition of the lawn is fair.
- All of your furnishings will fit.
Call your realtor as soon as you discover a problem that violates the terms of the sale agreement (for instance, the previous owner took the washer and dryer when they were supposed to leave them behind). Your realtor will be able to tell you what options are available to you. Any problems you discover that weren’t covered by your contract are now your responsibility.
(If required) Child and pet proof
Doing some early childproofing will be a necessary step if you’re moving into a new house with a baby or young children (or even simply furry four-legged kids) in order to keep everyone safe until you can set up your full setup. When childproofing your home, take the following precautions (some of which also apply to pets):
- Making a special area for used packing materials that is away from children and animals.
- Separating dangerous locations that haven’t been guarded.
- Outlets being concealed.
- Examining each window to ensure that it is shut tightly and that the blinds don’t have any protruding lengthy hanging cords.
- Instead of stacking them high, spread out the boxes.
- Before you determine their ultimate locations, stash breakables, sharp objects, and alcohol in high kitchen cabinets.
- Using knob guards, you can tamper-proof the knobs on your stove.
- Putting the oven door lock on.
- Any lower cabinets being utilized for hazardous materials, such as cleaning supplies, should have cabinet locks installed.
- Small appliances with electrical cables should be moved to the wall or the back of the counter, out of the way, or stashed in top cupboards.
- Putting in cabinet and door locks in the bathroom(s).
Determine where and what is going
If you establish a strategy for setting everything up rather than winging it while moving into a new home, you’ll save a lot of time and hassle. For big, heavy things like furniture, this is especially true. Give yourself a moment to consider exactly how you’d like the setup to look, even though you presumably already have a general sense of what belongs in whatever space. Of course, you can alter your mind later, but having a rough plan will always make the task go more smoothly.
Check to see if your utilities are installed
If you made arrangements for your utilities to be moved or set up before moving into your new home, it is time to check that everything is in order and functioning properly. Verify the setup of your electric, gas, water, heating and cooling, phone, and internet before moving day. Make sure your new house is set up for rubbish pickup by calling your neighborhood waste management facility next.
Locate the water valve and fuse box
You don’t want to have to look find the water valve or the fuse box when you actually need them. Locating them now will make it much easier for you to get there quickly in case your power goes out or you need to turn the water off for some reason. Your basement, garage, or storage room are likely where your fuse box is located. The water valve for your house is typically located somewhere outside of it.
Make a thorough cleaning effort
The best time to clean your new house thoroughly is immediately after relocating, even though it’s probably the last thing you want to do after going through the moving process. The following advice:
Clean low first, then high
The furniture and flooring are just as likely to become dirty as the ceiling fans, overhead lighting fixtures, shelving, and other items close to the ceiling, but they receive less cleaning and, when they do, tend to scatter dust and filth into the area below them. Each room should be approached from the top down, beginning at the top.
Initial refrigerator cleanup
Before you do anything else, start by disinfecting your new refrigerator because storing your perishable food comes first. Given that it’s empty, it shouldn’t take long. If possible, take the shelves and drawers out and clean each one separately with soap and warm water. Use a clean rag to wipe down all the surfaces inside the refrigerator with a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar. Allow the vinegar/water mixture to soak in for a while if there is any stuck-on muck to be removed. Make sure the shelves are totally dry before putting them back in the refrigerator. Likewise, with the freezer.
Purge the rest of the kitchen
You may start working on the remainder of the kitchen once the refrigerator is clean. Start by polishing the ceiling corners, light fittings, and cabinet tops. Following the countertops, move on to the appliances: the stoves, oven, microwave, dishwasher, and sink. Next, clean the cabinets, making sure to pay close attention to the handles and cleaning both the inside and outside. Do not clean the floor at this time.
Wash the restrooms
Disinfection and pristine surfaces are equally important when cleaning bathrooms. To get rid of any remaining germs, use an antibacterial spray after the initial cleaning. Just replace the toilet seats as you normally would. The most effective technique to be sure they’re truly clean is to pay a small fee for it. The light switches, faucets, door handles, and toilet paper holder should all be cleaned and sanitized.
Organize the rest of the house
Instead of cleaning each room in turn, proceed item by item for the remaining tasks. You should perform this top-down in accordance with step 1, so begin with the ceiling. Don’t overlook the areas that are easy to overlook, such as the interiors of closets and the tops of doors, windows, and window coverings. With a good vacuum attachment, you can remove the majority of this dust and debris, which may subsequently be removed with clean, moist cloths.
Clean the floors as a last step
End where you began, which is at the top. For wood, tile, and linoleum floors, start by vacuuming the corners and edges, and then use a broom to remove any leftover debris. Except when your vacuum is made to do so, avoid vacuuming the entire surface. Finally, clean the floor, being careful to choose a product that is safe for the surface you are mopping.
Use a steam cleaner for the most effective carpet cleaning possible. Hire a pro to complete the task if you don’t have one, or rent one from a nearby hardware store. While vacuuming by itself could make the carpet appear cleaner, it won’t do anything to reduce allergens or improve the air’s quality.
Consider hiring a cleaning service if you simply don’t have the time or desire to put on your cleaning gloves and grab a mop right now (we don’t blame you for this). Starting life in your new house in a clean state is more than worth the cost, whether it comes in time or money.
Make repairs a priority
It’s likely that you will need to complete some repairs unless you are moving into a brand-new property that has never had a resident before. You should already have a basic notion of what they are thanks to your house inspection, but it doesn’t hurt to look around on your own to get a sense of what needs to be done and what the highest priorities are. Despite the fact that you don’t necessarily need to start working on these repairs right away (there will be time for that after you’re settled in), making a list of what needs to get done and in what order you intend to do it will help you put your repair needs into perspective and give you a better foundation for when it’s time to get started.
Modify your locks
Changing the locks on your new home is always a good idea. You never know who might have a key, even if you have no concerns about the prior owner. It’s best to be safe than sorry in this situation, so either call a locksmith to come out or, if you feel confident doing it, change the locks yourself. Rekey the locks on all windows and doors leading from the inside of your house to the outside. A tiny cost can buy you a lot of peace of mind.
Adjust your address
Prior to moving day, you might have previously arranged for a change of address with the post office, but if not, this is the appropriate moment. Friends and family, subscription services, your bank, any loan providers, and anybody else who sends you regular letters or bills should all be informed of your relocation as well. For a full list of people to inform, see our change-of-address checklist. In order to obtain a new driver’s license and updated vehicle registration if you’ve relocated to a new state, you’ll also need to get in touch with your local department of motor vehicles.
Have a conversation with your neighbors
Right after you move in, meeting your neighbors is far less awkward and easy. Furthermore, getting to know your neighbors is beneficial for starting to learn about your town and for gaining suggestions for local services (like the aforementioned locksmith) if you need them. This will help you get off on the right foot in your new neighborhood. Even if you don’t have to knock on doors, you should make an effort to introduce yourself to a new neighbor whenever you meet them for the first time. The power of a little kindness cannot be overstated. After you’ve moved in, follow these suggestions to get to know your neighbors:
Be friendly and smile
Getting to know your neighbors is more about being friendly to one another than it is about having similar hobbies or interests. The first thing you should do is smile and say “hello” to everyone you encounter. You don’t have to, but you can indicate that you recently moved in. A friendly, sincere greeting at the outset of a meeting is a terrific approach to lay the groundwork for a good connection.
Participate in your neighborhood
Joining them in a shared cause is one of the best ways to get to know people, just as when you first start at a new school. Make it known that you want to get involved in the community by attending that neighborhood mixer, board meeting for the food cooperative, or meeting of the housing association. Getting engaged will allow you to meet people who share your interests and will help you become acclimated to your new neighborhood.
Query some things
Talking about the weather may be the go-to topic for conversation starters, but when it comes to meeting new neighbors, asking a question about the neighborhood might foster a more amiable connection and conversation. Most people will be grateful for the chance to share their knowledge of the area and daily life with you. Follow up on your prior discussion when you next visit the person, building on the commonalities you identified.
Go outside and relax
If you stay indoors all the time, you won’t meet anyone. Set up shop in places like your front porch or yard where you’re more likely to run into some fresh faces. Or you could merely take a stroll around the neighborhood. Your chances of starting a new relationship increase the more people you interact with.
A helping hand
Be a proactive neighbor and provide assistance if you see that one of your neighbors needs it. It can entail carrying food into the house for an elderly neighbor or giving them mail if it was brought to your door accidentally. Establishing yourself as a good neighbor can be accomplished in large part via acts of kindness.
Invite assistance
On the other hand, you can also develop relationships by requesting assistance. Most individuals enjoy helping others, and if doing so doesn’t feel like a burden, it can foster goodwill and a lasting friendship. Ask your neighbor if they would mind receiving any packages that are delivered to your door and keeping them safely stored for you until you return if you are leaving town. Alternatively, if you’re working on your new area, request to borrow some tools. When they do assist you, be sure to express your gratitude and let them know you’re always willing to do the same for them.
Create a welcoming party
We don’t advise doing a full-fledged housewarming celebration straight away, but if you can, organize a relaxed gathering at your home and drop invitations in your neighbors’ mailboxes encouraging them to stop by. Most likely, you’ll make a few friends with your neighbors that way.
Although relocating to a new house is naturally stressful, taking the above-mentioned actions can ease your transition. There’s a lot to do, though, so don’t be reluctant to enlist assistance, whether it comes from a friend, a member of your family, or a professional service provider. Your new home will begin to feel like a home faster the sooner you can handle the major issues.
