Moving is exciting and stressful and exhausting … all at the same time. By the time you get to closing day, you just want those keys so you can move in!
But once you have the keys, there are some tasks you should take care of right away. Let’s take a look at six of them.
Change the locks: Who else has keys to your new home? The sellers may have given copies to relatives, friends, pet sitters, and others. Change the locks and alarm codes on your home so you know exactly who has access to the house. You can do it yourself or hire a locksmith.
Clean: If you can, clean the house from top to bottom before you start moving in your stuff. You’ll do a more thorough cleaning if the house is vacant.
Find the circuit breaker box and main water valve: When there’s an emergency, you don’t want to waste time looking for the main water shutoff. Find it now while there’s no problem. You probably already know where the breaker box is, but now is the time to make sure the fuses are labeled, HouseLogic recommends. Grab a buddy, and start tripping fuses. You’ll be glad they’re labeled in an emergency.
Replace filters: You don’t know when they were last replaced, so now is the time to install new filters throughout the house. Bankrate says you should change the filters in all faucets (clogged filters can affect water pressure); your HVAC unit; and the vent filter above the stove. Make sure the dryer vent isn’t clogged, too, Bankrate says.
Set up utilities: Make sure your utilities – such as electricity, Internet, television, water, or oil or gas service – are set up or transferred into your name. Zillow says now is also a good time to familiarize yourself with trash and recycling service in your new neighborhood. Who provides it? And, on what schedule?
Set up kitchen and bathrooms: You can muddle along with an air mattress and a suitcase for a couple of days, but you’ll appreciate it if your kitchen and bathrooms are functional, Zillow says. You don’t have to unpack all the plates and cutlery, but make sure napkins, paper plates, and plastic silverware are easy to get to. In the bathrooms, don’t forget the soap and toilet paper!
