For most people, moving into a new home stirs up a whirlwind of emotions and responsibilities. On the one hand, what an amazing experience and opportunity! On the other hand, there’s a lot to do to make the home liveable, comfortable, safe, and secure.
We’re here to help you check off all the most important steps to make your transition easier. From decor to home security, let’s talk about everything you need to do to successfully move into your new house.
Keep reading for our new home checklist.
1. Complete the Moving Process
First, if you haven’t moved into the house yet, it’s time to schedule movers or start reaching out to friends and family for help. Contact people several days, or even a few weeks in advance to ensure everyone is available for the big day. As the homeowner, box up your stuff in advance to make everyone’s lives easier on moving day.
If you must, take a few weekends getting ready. Some homeowners take a few extra days off work to make sure everything is packed up and ready to go.
2. Get the Utilities Turned On
Turning on the utilities at your new home is one of the most important things in our new house checklist. After all, you don’t want to move into a house without power or running water.
It’s a good idea to schedule the activation date ahead of time. If you wait until the day you move into the house, you might have to wait to have certain utilities turned on. In the same line of thought, make sure you cancel the utilities at the home you’re leaving.
3. Set Up the Necessary Services
Next, make sure you have the basic amenities and services you need to be happy and comfortable in your new home. For example, you’ll most likely want internet and wifi set up at the house.
You may also desire cable TV and a phone line. Depending on where your new home is located, these services can take several days to get set up.
4. Deep Clean the Home
Before getting too comfortable in your new house, we recommend giving the home a deep cleaning. This is one of the most important steps on our new home checklist. Cleaning the house is important whether it’s brand new or had previous owners.
If you want to be extra-safe, hire healthy cleaning services for home. They can provide cleaning, sanitation, and more to help you and your family feel better about living in the house.
5. Officially Change Your Address
Next on our moving list is the change of address. You can apply for a temporary change of address through the post office, but we recommend making the change permanent. You can do this through the USPS website.
However, we also recommend contacting your bank, insurance companies, and any other organizations that send you mail. With them, you can change your address at the source to ensure you continue to get your important mail.
5. Furnish the Home
One of the most exciting steps on our new home checklist is furnishing your home. Whether you need to get rid of some of your old, worn-out stuff or are starting with a clean slate, outfitting your new house will be incredibly enjoyable.
This is a great time to upgrade your children’s dresser, bed, clothing, etc. It’s also a convenient excuse to invest in new pots, pans, and dishware. Finally, you’ll probably need new couches, chairs, end tables, and entertainment centers for your living room and family room.
6. Decorate
While it may not be quite as exciting as furnishing your home, you also need to start thinking about interior design and decor. This may or may not include repainting certain rooms or installing new floors.
If the house is already how you want it, decorating simply means hanging art, adding photos, installing window treatments, etc. If you enjoy interior design, use this time to get creative and use your decor to express your personality.
7. Change the Locks
Next, lets’ focus our moving into a new house checklist on security. If the home was previously owned by another family, it might not be a bad idea to change out the locks.
While most people are good-natured and trustworthy, it can be uncomfortable knowing someone else may have keys to your home. Changing the locks is a relatively inexpensive way to secure your home, protect your family, and improve your peace of mind.
8. Make a List of Future Renovations
When most people shop for new homes, they want something that’s move-in ready. They don’t want to buy a house that needs a bunch of repairs or updates.
However, home buyers are often forced to compromise to get the price they want or secure a home in the ideal location. As such, there might be some future renovations you’re considering to maximize your comfort and enjoyment of your new house.
Make a prioritized list of everything you might want to do to the home. Organize the list based on the most urgent issues.
9. Check for Any Unknown Damages
Verifying the condition of your new house is one thing you shouldn’t skip on your moving checklist. Not all home sellers are completely honest about the condition of the house they’re selling. They may not want to compromise on their asking price or spend time making repairs.
Regardless, double-check the home for any existing damages or issues. The official home inspection should have uncovered anything of note. However, it never hurts to confirm their assessment.
10. Set Up a Home Security System
Last on our moving into a new home checklist is another security measure. No matter where you live, it’s always wise to install a home security system. This can include cameras, motion-activated lights, and alarms.
These systems are monitored by the security company. If anything is out of place or an alarm is triggered, they will contact you immediately to confirm the security threat. If necessary, they will also contact the local authorities.
This can help you feel more comfortable in a new home, in a new neighborhood, or in a new city.
Did You Get Everything On Our New Home Checklist?
If you just moved into a new home or are planning to in the near future, congratulations! We are so excited for you and the new opportunities that await. Follow our new home checklist to make sure your transition into your new place is as quick and easy as possible.
And if you’re looking for more homeowner advice or moving tips, you’re in the right place. Check out some of our other articles before you go to find more valuable insight. Our blog was created to help people like you find the information they need to succeed.