Most people look forward to transferring into a new house. However, for many people, it can be an overwhelming experience. In most cases, you have a lot of considerations to keep in mind aside from unpacking. As a homeowner, knowing how your new home functions and prioritizing what projects you need to tackle first is a priority. Remember that getting things right from the start is preferable, so your family can settle in quickly.
If you want to make moving into your new home a breeze, here are several valuable pointers to keep in mind.
Employ A Home Inspector
Consider hiring an inspector if you're moving into an old or new house. Although hiring one will increase your expenses, consider it a worthwhile investment. When a professional inspects your new home before you move in, it ensures that all of the essentials are in good working order and identifies any potential problem areas that require immediate attention. In general, a home inspector will look over the structure of the house, the foundation, the plumbing, and the electrical system. If you want to ensure your new home is in good shape, consider hiring a home inspector from a reliable provider such as https://openinsurance.com/ and others near your place.
Perform A Walkthrough
Doing a thorough walkthrough of your new house should be one of your first tasks. Before moving in with all your belongings, it's best to look around and conduct a final check. Check that all essentials, such as the fixtures, outlets, switches, windows, and doors, are in working order.
If you encounter an issue not part of the sale contract, get in touch with the realtor immediately.
Deep Clean The House
Even if your new home appears clean during the walkthrough, it's best to take the time and effort to clean it thoroughly. The cleaning chore should be a priority before moving in since there might be lingering dust, allergens, or other debris. It's best to deeply clean the house from top to bottom and prioritize the following tasks:
Thoroughly clean the flooring by mopping hardwood, shampooing carpets, and bleaching tiles to eliminate any leftover allergens and odors.
Wipe down the walls and baseboards with a gentle cleanser.
Wipe the interior of the cabinets and apply new shelf paper to freshen the space.
Scrub the stove and oven thoroughly.
Consider visiting the house a few days before your belongings arrive to ensure you have enough time to clean it thoroughly.
Child And Pet Proof The Home
If you have children or pets, perform some initial childproofing to ensure that safety is an additional task when moving into a new home. Some childproofing measures are also applicable to pets, such as the following:
Designate a separate child or pet-free zone to gather all scrap packing materials while gating off sections of the house that are not yet secure
Cover up all outlets and tamper-proof the knobs on the stove with protectors, and ensure you have an oven door lock
Inspect all windows to ensure they're securely closed
Avoid stacking the boxes on top of one another, especially those that contain heavy objects. It's best to distribute the boxes around without stacking them to prevent them from falling over.
Ascertain That All Utilities Are Operational
If you've already arranged for the utilities to be transferred or set up before moving into your new home, you must ensure everything is ready and working properly.
On the day of moving into your new home, make sure that the gas, electricity, heating and cooling, water, and phone and Internet lines are up and running. Don't forget to contact the local waste management facility to ensure your new home is scheduled for garbage pickup.
Find the exact location of the main water valve and fuse box in your new home. Remember that knowing these locations is crucial in emergencies or if you're about to fix a water or power issue and there's a need to shut off the electricity or water supply.
Tackle The Necessary Repairs
Unless you're moving into a new home without any previous occupants, you'll likely need to deal with a few repairs. After the home inspection, you already have an idea of these, but it's best to go around to get a feel for what you need to do.
Although there's no need to work on the repairs immediately since you have ample time once you're settled, consider creating a list of tasks to prioritize.
Decide On An Unpacking Plan
Although most find it tempting to tackle first the unpacking, your effort will go to waste if you randomly open the boxes and end up without the right essentials.
Ideally, the best approach is to label all the boxes before moving into your new home. However, planning what should be prioritized once you arrive at your new home is best. List what you want to be ready and unpack based on the top of your list.
Upgrade The Locks
One of the good practices to keep in mind when moving into a new house is to change the locks. Even if you have no concerns about the previous owner, it's a safety precaution since you never know who might have a key.
If you have the skills, you can change the locks yourself or schedule a locksmith to handle the task. Make sure to re-key the locks on all the doors between the interior and exterior, plus the windows.
Install A Security System
If you want to take the security of your new home to a whole new level, consider installing a home security system to give you peace of mind. It's best to work with a reputable security company to install the right system for your home.
Some security systems allow you to configure the security alarm when you're inside at night. Make sure to use solid security codes as an extra precaution.
Final Thoughts
Moving into a new home for the first time can be challenging. Aside from unpacking, you must ensure that everything in your new home is operational. These helpful pointers will make the transfer smoother for you, and your new house will be ready in no time.
