Whether it’s an apartment you’ll share while you work your way through college or the dream home you’ll raise your kids in, a new house can be the beginning of a whole new life. Finding the perfect place can take time, and once you sign a mortgage or lease you might feel like you can’t wait to move in, but don’t rush the process. Take time to prepare the house for your arrival by making sure it is clean and pest-free and has everything you need. Follow these tips to help make the moving process as smooth as possible:
1. Check For Pests
Nobody wants to share a home with roaches, termites, bats or mice, so be sure all former occupants have moved out before your stuff comes in. If you choose to inspect the place yourself, remember that most pests are quite good at staying hidden and you are unlikely to spot the critters themselves. Instead, look for telltale signs including droppings, nests, webs and suspicious decay. Even if you don’t find anything, you may want to contact an exterminator to discuss local pests and book an inspection.
2. Change the Locks
You don’t know how many spare keys the former owners may have lent out. To keep your stuff safe, install new locks on all doors and reprogram any keypads with a new entry code. If you are renting you may need your landlord’s permission, but most states allow it as long as you provide the manager with a new key.
3. Install an Alarm
For additional security, consider installing a new alarm or security system before you move in. You can hire a professional or do it yourself. Either way, this is one of those items on your checklist that can easily fall by the wayside once you’ve moved in. Get it done now and you can settle in knowing you’ve made your home safe and secure.
4. Make Major Changes
Messy work like scraping off a popcorn ceiling and major changes like painting and refinishing floors can be difficult to implement once you’ve moved into a home. If you’re planning to paint entire rooms or install new carpet or flooring it’s best to do it while the home is empty and your things are safely out of the way. This is also a great time to do major renovations like adding an island or installing new wiring for sound systems, additional outlets or cable TV.
5. Get Organized
While you’re adding upgrades and making the place feel like new, you might take a closer look at the home’s storage spaces, including the pantry, laundry room, garage and closets. Consider whether the shelving is adequate for your needs, and if not install new organizers and shelves. It will be much easier to unpack and organize your things if you have already prepared a space for them.
6. Deep Clean
It’s likely the former owners or renters cleaned the place before they moved out, but you’ll probably want to do it again yourself to be sure you’re starting off with a very clean slate. Have the carpets and floors steam cleaned while there is no furniture to move or work around. This is also a great time to clean and reseal grout, wipe cabinets, shelves, baseboards and blinds, and clean the windows inside and out. If you have plenty of time and energy you can do most of this work yourself, but a professional cleaning company can get it all done quickly so you can concentrate on moving in.
7. Locate Utilities
You don’t want to wait for the first flood or blown fuse before you go searching for the controls to your home’s utilities. Locate the circuit breaker and confirm that all switches are clearly and properly labeled. Place a flashlight in a convenient location in case you need to find this panel in the dark. Find the main water valve and be sure you know how to turn it off in an emergency.
8. Get Appliances
The appliances you saw when you walked through the home don’t necessarily come with it. Be sure you know which appliances will be there when you move in and which you’ll need to furnish yourself. Ask whether the laundry room has a washer and drier, and if not, ask what type of hookups you’ll find there. Find out whether the kitchen includes a refrigerator, stove, microwave, oven and dishwasher. If you’re moving to a place with hard water you might also ask whether you’ll need to install a water softener.
9. Check Appliances
Once you’ve determined which appliances your new home includes, you’ll want to be sure they’re in proper working order. For most kitchen and laundry appliances you can simply make sure the controls are functioning and do a trial run of laundry, dishes or food prep to ensure each piece is in working order. However, fireplaces and gas furnaces should be inspected by a professional to guarantee there are no dangerous leaks and that they’re working efficiently. You may also want to inspect air conditioning and heating units and have ducts and filters cleaned and replaced.
10. Find Furniture and Décor
Once you’ve cleared your home of pests and dirt, added fresh paint and new organizers and installed new locks and security features, you’re finally ready to make the place your own. Consider how your belongings will fit into the new space and make a list of new acquisitions you’ll need to make this house your home. If your budget is tight, you may want to begin with basics like a bed, kitchen table and sofa. As your finances allow, you can add more decorative elements, such as end tables, paintings and houseplants.
Moving to a new house can be daunting, but it’s also a great opportunity to start from scratch and create a home that suits your needs and tastes. Get off to the best start possible by making sure the home is clean, safe and in working order. Assess your shelving, appliance and furniture needs and complete updates and repairs before the moving van arrives. With the right preparation, your move will be easy and efficient and your new place will feel like home in no time.
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