Now that you’ve successfully moved to a new house.
You can pat yourself on the back for a job well done.
But before you can settle in, there are just a few more things that you should take care of for a seamless transition.
Get Associated with the New House
The best time to get acquainted with the new house is when it’s still empty and devoid of all that heavy furniture. So before you unload the moving truck, scout out each room to learn its layout. This will help you make a mental note about what goes where. Make sure to keep track of the following:
- Any repairs that need to be made (document these to ensure that no one can blame you for causing them, especially if you are a tenant)
- Check all the outlets, switches, and fixtures
If you find any issues that go against the sales contract or lease agreement, call the property manager immediately to plan the next course of action. Remember that all repairs that were not in your contract are your responsibility now (for homeowners).
Baby Proof the House
If you’re moving to the new house with children (or pets) in tow, then the first step should be to do make the place safe for them. Childproofing is best done before moving day. It includes the following:
- Creating a restricted room in the house where children and pets are not allowed (for discarded packing materials)
- Checking the structural integrity of the windows
- Isolating dangerous items such as cleaning supplies and box cutters from children
Plan the Location of Items
It’s highly recommended to plan out the location of your belongings in the new home instead of randomly placing them where they fit. This is especially true for larger items such as furniture. Walking around the house will give you a basic idea of what items will go in each room.
You can always return to make changes later on, but having a general plan early on will definitely make the task easier.
Make Sure Your Utilities are Working as They Should
You don’t want to find out until after moving in that some of the utilities aren’t working. Make sure to verify that the electricity, gas, water, and internet are functional before you move in.
Arrange Cleaning
It’s definitely a good idea to move into a spotless house. You could clean up the place yourself or contact a professional to make the home look as good as new. Either way, use the following checklist to thoroughly clean the house:
- Clean the cabinets
- Scrub the sink
- Vacuum all cupboards and drawers
- Wipe down all surfaces with a damp sponge
- Empty all trash bags and replace them
- Dust ceiling fans
- Spray for pests
Find the Water Valve and Circuit Breaker
Memorize the location of the circuit breaker, water valve, and fuse box for emergency situations. The last thing you want in a serious emergency is looking for the circuit breaker during a power outage.
Pro tip: Create a home emergency plan for each member of your family in case of natural disasters such as tornadoes, earthquakes, and other situations. This means knowing how to exit the house and finding shelter.
Set up Advanced Home Security
Once you have inspected the home for any problems and located emergency centers, it’s time to secure your new home against unauthorized access. Besides changing the locks, you can the latest home security equipment such as motion detectors, cameras, a smart doorbell. These tools are relatively affordable these days.
Update Your Address
Now that you’ve moved in to the new house, it’s time to update your address with the post office and any organizations that send you regular correspondence, such as mails and bills. This includes your employer, lenders, bank, and others.
If you haven’t hired a property manager already, click here to learn more about our services and how an experienced property manager can share some of your burdens.