The First Tasks to Complete After Moving in
Moving into your new house is an exciting time. As you bring in the multitude of boxes and furniture, it’s also a good idea to complete a few tasks before you’re fully settled in. Each of these tasks is easy and inexpensive to complete but will allow you to enjoy your new home without any issues in the coming months.
Inspect for Damage
One of the first things you’ll want to do is get to know all the nooks and crannies of your new home. Explore every room for visible signs of damage from water like plumbing leaks, dripping faucets, and running toilets. Also, check your front and back yards for any problems and take whatever action is necessary. Although you typically look for things like this before closing, if the previous residents had not moved out yet, you want to do a quick inspection again to make sure nothing has been damaged since that time.
Change the Locks
Even if you have been promised the locks were changed in your home, it’s never a bad idea to change them to have some peace of mind. It’s good to be sure you are the only one that has access to your home. You can change the locks yourself, or have a locksmith do it for a little extra money. This is also a great time to integrate some smart technology into your home like digital locks and/or security cameras.
Steam Clean Carpets
It’s always nice to have a fresh start with your floors before beginning to decorate. The previous owners may have had pets or young children that made some messy carpets. Steam cleaning will free your floors from stains and allergens. It’s also easy and affordable to rent one yourself. If possible, you should try to do this before you move your furniture into the house, but it’s not impossible to do with your furniture in place, either.
Clean out the kitchen
The previous owners may not have done a thorough job cleaning the kitchen. Either way, having a sterile, shiny place to cook and eat your meals in your new home is very important. Make sure to wipe down the inside of the cabinets and refrigerator, clean the oven and other small areas underneath appliances.
Change all Filters
One last thing that many new homeowners forget to do is change out all the filters like the air filters and water filters. If the previous owners had any pets, changing the air filters is crucial for your health and wellbeing. Also, changing the filters will help ensure that your air conditioner and furnace are working optimally. Another important filter is the water filter in your refrigerator. Changing this filter will help make sure that your drinking water is safe and healthy.
