Bryant Stadler - MLS# 3938083 , 6680 Maple Spring Court Unit #16, Denver, NC 28037
Moving into a new house can be exciting, daunting, and full of surprises. Making your new house a warm and welcoming space that you are proud to call home is a process, and often times it can be hard to know where to start. To help cut down on stress, we’ve created a list of things to do first when moving into a new house.
Final Walkthrough
While this step technically happens before you move, it is an important one nonetheless. Before you close and move into your new home, you and your Helen Adams Realty agent should do a final walkthrough. This allows you to do a final inspection of the home and ensures everything is correct one last time before heading to the closing table.
Transfer and Activate Services
Ensuring that you have all of your utilities and services set up before you move is a great start. Make a list of any existing utilities and services that you will need at your new home, such as water/sewer, sanitation, electric, gas, internet, TV, and more. Don’t forget to check with your providers to see if you can keep your current service and simply transfer it to your new address.
Along with transferring and activating your services, it’s important to schedule shut-off dates and account closures where needed. Taking these steps before moving will ensure your first night in your new home goes smoothly.
Change of Address
An easily overlooked part of moving is forwarding and updating your mailing and billing addresses. Before you move, make a point to begin officially forwarding your mail with USPS, and manually changing your addresses with important services, such as your bank, employer, subscription services, delivery providers, DMV, and more. To update your address with USPS, head over to their website.
Check & Change the Locks
Safety is key, no matter where you live. When moving, it is highly recommended that you check, and even change, all locks and security systems in your new home to prevent any potential safety issues. It's not uncommon for people other than the sellers to have keys to the home, and this is an often overlooked but important step to keeping you and your family safe.
Smart Systems
In today’s age of tech, it’s not uncommon for homes to have smart systems in place, such as built-in security systems, doorbells, and thermostats. Before you move, you should be aware of any system that stays with the home, and ensure all passwords and log-in information for these systems are updated and changed by you. If these items are not updated, others outside of your home may still have access, which can cause a security breach.
Around the House
Once the home is officially yours, you can begin tackling some projects to truly make the space your own. Deep cleaning the entire house is a great way to get off to a fresh start. If you opt to clean the house yourself, make sure to get in those often-forgotten spaces, such as the inside of appliances like your stove and refrigerator, the insides of closets, the tops of cabinets and doorways, and more. Additionally, it's never a bad idea to go ahead and replace all air filters in the home, no matter how clean they may appear.
Some other important spots to locate and make note of are the main water shutoff valve, electrical panel, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and your water heater. Finding and noting these items' locations is important for any future emergencies that may arise.
Final Thoughts
No matter where you’re going, moving has the potential to be an overwhelming process. It is important to take the time to create a plan and take steps ahead of time to make the transition as smooth as possible. Your Helen Adams Realty agent is always happy to guide you and your family during this time with vendor recommendations, experience, and more. Looking for an agent? Contact us today to find your match!