There is a lot of focus put on the old house during a move but the new home requires some preparation, as well. Follow these tips to make sure your new home is ready for move-in day so the transition will be as smooth as possible.
How to New Home Prepared for Moving In
Turn on the utilities
Before moving day, you’ll want to make sure all the utilities are turned on at least 24 hours in advance. Once they’re on, check that the lights are working, the water is running, and that the AC and thermostat are working properly. If you’re moving during warm weather, turn the air down to at least 76 degrees the day before so you and the movers will be comfortable on moving day as you go in and out of the home.
Clean
Even if you’re moving into a brand-new home that no one has ever lived in before, it’s still a good rule of thumb to give your new home a deep cleaning before you officially move in. Lots of people will have been trapesing in and out of the home before then, so the first step to making it your own is wiping the slate clean.
Some important spots not to miss are:
- Inside cabinets and drawers
- Appliances
- Countertops
- Bathrooms
- Flooring
- Windows
If the lawn hasn’t been taken care of, you may want to mow it and start some minor landscaping to bring it up to par before you move in, too, since you’ll be busy unpacking and settling in once moving day is over.
Make necessary repairs
Whether you are owning or renting, do an inspection of the home before you move in to make sure there are no repairs that need to be made. If there are, take care of those beforehand. Not only will you have a lot on your plate after the move, but if you’re renting, you won’t want to give the landlord the opportunity to dispute the damages as being caused by you during the move Document everything with time-stamped photographs.
Implement big customizations
Do you want to paint the walls? Change out the floors? Re-do the kitchen cabinets? Any major customizations like these are better done before you move in. While it may be tempting to wait until after you’ve settled in to take on those projects, if you are able to do them before the move, you will save yourself a lot of headache by doing so.
Check safety and security
Another crucial step to take before moving in is to check the safety and security of the property. Go around to all the windows and make sure they lock properly. Change out all the locks on the doors so only you have access to them. Change the batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and make sure they are working properly. Supply the home with fire extinguishers in key areas and have the alarm installed and turned on before moving day.
Click here for a more comprehensive guide on how to secure your home before moving in.
Make copies of your keys
Things get lost, so get some extra copies made of your house keys so you won’t have to worry if any go missing during the move or any other time after that.
Learn the area
If you are moving to a new community, it’s good to get familiar with the area before you move in. Find out where important places (such as the hospital, grocery store, and gas station) are located and how to get there from your new home.
Click here for more tips on settling into your new home and how to make it your own! >>