Introduction
Table of Contents
Moving into a new home is always a delight as it represents the start of new beginnings and a chance to start over. That being said, settling into your new environment is a whole other thing to take into consideration. Whilst many concentrates mainly on the packing and unpacking process, most don’t realize that the little things after moving in are the ones that matter. Acclimatizing to the new space, getting used to how it functions, and prioritizing what needs you to tackle first are all parts of being a homeowner. It’s always better to settle things earlier, rather than procrastinate and have them pile up.
New house, new home and contents insurance… are you feeling overwhelmed yet? Don’t be! With https://www.youi.com.au/home-insurance, you can rest assured that your home is safe and protected. And, here’s another way we can help –– we’ve come up with a detailed guide on the ten most important things to do when moving into your new home. Before you know it, you’ll be cracking a cold one in no time.
Have A Full Walkthrough
Before anything and everything, you need to know your home –– every inch of it. You need to know your home in detail before you can make any decision. That’s why we’re strongly recommending that you do a thorough walkthrough of your new space when it’s fully empty. During your walkthrough, you should double-check for the following things: that everything from the sale is included in the house, everything (including outlets, switches, and fixtures) is working properly, and that all the requested and agreed-upon repairs have been made.
If you spot anything that goes against your sale contract, such as the owner removing certain pieces of furniture that were supposed to be left behind, you can inform your realtor immediately for a recourse. You should also check for any faults or damages that were not brought up during the sale.
With a Verisure home alarm system, you can keep a watch on your belongings and your home at all times. One of these techniques can be used to report an intruder on your property or an attempted theft from you.
Child or Pet Proofing
If you have a four-legged friend or kids with you, you’ll need to do some initial proofing to keep everyone safe until the full setup has been fixed. This includes creating a separate kid-free area with unwanted packing materials and making sure that it doesn’t have loose cables or open windows. This goes without saying, but make sure that nothing dangerous (eg. glassware, cleaning supplies, box cutters) is far from reach.
Set A Plan
You can save a load of time and money if you set a comprehensive plan instead of going with the flow. This is particularly so when relocating heavy furniture, decorations, and even partitions! While you probably have a basic idea of what you want your room to look like, you should plan out where the setup should go. Changes can be made later on, but heading in with a plan makes the job significantly easier.
Utilities
Once you’ve completed your initial planning, it’s time to take care and arrange all your utilities, so that you can ensure that everything is ready to go. When it’s time to move, double-check that your water, heating, electric, gas, cooling, Internet, and phone lines have been set up. After so, make sure to ring up your local waste management facility to ensure that your new home has scheduled garbage pickup as well.
You’ll want to carefully check the fuse box and water valve, though. It’s a lot easier to identify their locations now, in case water needs to be turned off or the neighborhood experiences a power outage. Generally, your fuse box should be situated in the basement, storage, or garage room, whilst your water valve should be located around your home’s perimeter.
Repairs
Unless you’re moving into a brand new space, you’re probably going to deal with several repair projects. Whilst you should already have an inkling of what they are from the home walkthrough, you should start compiling the list and what tops it based on urgency.
You don’t necessarily need to get down to them immediately, but crafting a list of what needs to be done helps you put your repair needs in perspective. You’ll have a better footing of what you need to do once the ball starts rolling.
Deep Clean
Now with everything more or less ready, it’s time to get your hands dirty. The last thing that you’ll want to do is to clean, but it’s easier to do so with bare walls and uncluttered space. Here are some general cleaning tips to observe.
Firstly, always clean high before cleaning low. Ceiling fans, lighting fixtures, and shelving are notorious for raining down dust. We recommend slipping an old pillowcase over each fan blade and wiping it down using the case’s top layer. This way, you’ll trap the old dust inside, which you can toss away conveniently. Next, move on to the bathrooms –– it’s as much disinfecting as it is about making every surface spotless. You’ll need soap, a sponge, and an antibacterial spray. For the rest of the cleaning procedure, go item to item instead of room to room. Start top-down and move downwards, not forgetting all the tiny nooks and crannies (eg. light switches, windows, closet interiors). Lastly, finish off with the floors. You can choose whether you want to vacuum or carpet clean your floor, depending on the material that it is made of. End it off with a good mop.
Housekeeping Matters
With the physical work done, it is time to get down to the housekeeping matters. Firstly, you’ll need to update your official address so that all the letters, important documents, and online shopping items will be delivered to the correct address. You also want to notify your bank, subscriptions, work, friends, and family of your new address so it will be easier for them to visit you.
The next thing you need to do is to change your locks, especially if you are buying a resale home. It’s important to keep your house secure and safe from potential intruders. Make sure to change the locks on all doors and windows, not just your main door or gate!
Meet And Greet
Meeting your new neighbors is a lot easier –– and less awkward –– to do when you’ve just moved in. In addition to getting used to your living space, meeting new people will greatly familiarize you with your community and get recommendations for local services. You don’t need to visit everyone down your street, but make it a point to introduce yourself if you happen to meet the new neighbor. A little ‘hello’ can go a long way!
On top of everything, having friends can make your living experience much more fun and enjoyable. In the future, you can even organize get-togethers, house parties, and even have yours and their children grow up together! While it may just be you moving into a new home at this moment, looking at the bigger picture, you are solidifying your footing in a whole community and lifestyle.
Conclusion
Moving into your new home will be a wonderful experience –– it’s the start of something new! Whether you plan to stay short term or long term, this move plays a significant chapter in your life. We hope that this guide has helped you in moving into your new home and we wish you the best!
