8 Essential Tasks Before Moving into Your New Home

Exciting news! You've sealed the deal on your new home, completed the inspection, and set the closing date. Now, what's next? The thought of packing and moving can be overwhelming, especially with the added considerations for your new place.

Here's a straightforward checklist of 8 essential tasks to tackle before your big move to make everything smoother:

Activate Your Utilities: Before you can make any improvements or simply settle into your new home, you need to have your utilities up and running. While you might not immediately require cable TV or internet, ensure you have water, electricity, and gas ready to go.

Address Inspection Findings: Your home inspector may have highlighted some issues that need immediate attention. Depending on your agreement, you might have to handle these repairs post-closing. Try to fix major items before moving in, especially those related to plumbing, electrical, or roofing.

Thoroughly Clean the Entire House: While the sellers may have tidied up, a deep clean is always a good idea. You can either tackle this task yourself or hire a professional cleaning service. Pay close attention to areas like cabinets, closets, flooring, appliances, and bathrooms. Don't forget the floors inside closets and consider replacing toilet seats.

Install Additional Storage or Features: If you knew you'd need extra shelving, cabinets, or storage space, get them set up before moving in. This way, you can organize your belongings right away, instead of dealing with unpacking boxes later. The same applies to new home buyers looking to add custom design options or change flooring.

Finish Interior Painting: If you plan to repaint, do it before moving in your furniture and belongings. This makes things easier for both you and the painters, as they won't have to work around your items. Complete painting after any additional construction, but before installing new flooring or cleaning existing flooring.

Arrange Pest Control: Whether you're aware of a pest issue or not, it's wise to have pest control spray your yard and home before moving in. This is especially convenient if you have pets, as it gives the extermination process some time to work.

Reset Your Garage Door Code: Even if you received all the garage door openers from the previous owners, it's a good practice to reset the code to ensure no unauthorized access through the garage. New home buyers should also change the code if it hasn't been done after the installation of a new garage door opener.

Change Locks and Keys: This is a crucial step and should be saved for last. During the home selling process, keys are often given to various people like handymen, inspectors, and real estate agents. Homeowners might also have given spare keys to friends, family, or neighbors. To secure your new home fully, hire a locksmith to change the locks and ensure that only you have copies of the new house keys.

By following these steps, you'll be well-prepared to transition smoothly into your new home.