The stress of moving to a new home can be quite the burden, to the point that you might be so focused on just getting in there that you totally forget about setting it up so you can safely, comfortably, and happily settle. Well, don’t worry, because here we’re going to look at all of the tasks you should make sure to take care of as soon as you get in.
Change The Locks Right Away
First and foremost, make sure that you’re the only person with access to the locks. Even if you trust the previous tenants or owners, call a locksmith or replace all the locks yourself on the exterior doors. If your house has smart locks, reset the codes. Peace of mind should be the first thing you establish.
Test Your Smoke & CO Detectors
Although you shouldn’t expect a fire to break out on your first night in the home, you should make safety a priority. Test all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the home. Even if they’re working fine as-is, it may be worth replacing the batteries just to make sure that you don’t have to do it in the near future.
Get Your TV And Internet Set Up
Today’s modern life typically makes being connected essential. The longer that you spend without your TV and internet, the more frustrating and bothersome it can get. With the help of services like Smart Move Cable, you can make sure that you’re set up to get connected as soon as possible when you move in. If you’re using wi-fi, run speed tests in areas throughout the home to see where your dead zones are, too.
Find Your Utility Switches
On your first day, find and label your circuit breaker and fuse box. You may even want to flip a few switches to get a good idea of what they control. Similarly, locate your main water shut-off valve, usually found in the basement or near the foundation, so you can act quickly in the event of a burst pipe or similar water damage threat.
Deep Clean Before You Unpack
Even if the home looks relatively tidy, you should take the time to do a deep clean of the whole home before you start packing. Wipe down cabinets, scrub floors, sanitize bathrooms, and clean windows. Pay special attention to high-touch areas like light switches, doorknobs, and handles. Aside from starting your new life with a clean slate, it helps you get to know the home a lot better, too.
Update Your Address
Make sure that your address is updated across all of the most important contacts and platforms, including your bank, credit cards, driver’s license, subscriptions, and voter registration. Don’t forget to forward your mail with the postal service to catch anything missed. Similarly, take the time to make sure all the utilities are connected ot the new address under your name.
The tips above can make sure that your new home is ready to live in as soon as you arrive, helping you start to get used to the new space.
Leave a Reply