If moving wasn’t enough work, there is still a list of things you will want to know when you are moving into a new home.
From changing your locks to scheduling the trash, we have created a short list of things you will want to accomplish sooner rather than later. Be sure to read to the end so you don’t miss anything important.
1. Clean
It’s a smart idea to clean your new home before you start unpacking, especially places like under the sofa that are hard to reach once everything is out of the boxes.
If your new place has carpets, consider renting a carpet cleaner to remove any hidden dirt or allergens, which is especially helpful if you have allergies.
After cleaning, wiping down surfaces with a mix of water and your favorite essential oil can make your new home feel more welcoming and familiar.
2. Change Your Locks
Changing the locks on your new home should be your first priority when you move in.
Even if the previous owners seem trustworthy, you don’t know who else might have copies of the keys, which could pose a safety risk to you and your belongings.
However, if your home is newly constructed, you might not need to change the locks because many builders use a system that disables old keys once you use yours for the first time.
3. Lockout Plan
It’s important to have a plan in case you accidentally lock yourself out of your new home, especially when it’s a busy moving day.
You can keep a spare key with a trusted friend or family member, use a lockbox attached to your house, or hide a key somewhere safe.
Also, if your home has a garage keypad, make sure to change the code as soon as you move in to keep your home secure.
4. Check your detectors
Make sure to test your smoke detectors by pressing the test button to see if they make a chirping sound, which means they’re working.
If they don’t work, or if your home doesn’t have any, it’s important to get them fixed or installed right away.
Keeping your smoke detectors in working order is a key step to making your new home safe.
5. Finding Your Shutoff Valves
It’s important to know where all your water shutoff valves are located in your new home, typically found in the basement, crawl space, or garage.
Knowing where these valves are helps you quickly turn off the water in case of an emergency like a leak or burst pipe.
Also, familiarize yourself with the individual shutoff valves for sinks, toilets, and appliances to manage smaller issues without turning off water to the entire house.
6. Find Your Circuit Breaker
Find the circuit breaker in your new home, which might be in the basement, garage, hallway, or closet, depending on the house layout.
Knowing where the breaker is and how to reset it is important in case you trip a breaker while setting up your new place.
Being prepared to handle such minor issues on day one can prevent them from turning into bigger problems.
7. Setting Up Your Security
Setting up a security system is up to you, but it can really help keep your home safe.
Just putting a security sign in your yard or window can make it 90% less likely that someone will try to break in.
If you want even more safety, you might add things like a video doorbell or security cameras to protect your family and your stuff.
8. Buying A Safe
Invest in a safe with a high fire rating to protect your important documents and valuables not only from theft but also from fire damage.
Choose a large, heavy safe that can be bolted to the floor for added security, so it can’t be easily removed.
Even if you live in a small apartment, it’s wise to have a smaller safe and hide it in a discreet location.
9. Trash Pickup
When you move into a new home, make sure to check when the trash and recycling will be collected.
You can easily find this info on your city’s website or by calling your local trash service.
This way, you’ll know the right days to take out your bins, helping you keep your place tidy.
10. Mapping Your New Surroundings
You’re going to want to figure out where important spots like the nearest hospital, bank, grocery stores, and malls are located.
Don’t forget to find services for your pets too, like local vets, parks, and places where they can play without a leash.
Knowing these locations will help you feel more at home and prepared for daily life and emergencies.
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