Buying a new house is an important life event. From the time you start working with a realtor until the moment you start unpacking in your new home, you will be filled with anticipation. During all the excitement you will also need to juggle many priorities, such as finding the right mortgage and scheduling an appointment to sign your closing documents. But there are other priorities as well, and they can easily be overlooked. To ensure your moving day goes smoothly and you can enjoy your new home, stay on top of these important tasks.
Complete a walk-through alone
Before boxes and furniture start to fill the space, do one more walkthrough of your new house. You will do a few walkthroughs, with real estate agents and inspectors, before you sign your closing documents. But this is your chance to slow down and make notes about minor repairs, paint touchups, drippy faucets, and anything else you’ll need to add to your to-do list.
Think about home security
Home security is about both keeping your family safe and about providing peace of mind. The simplest step is to change all the window and door locks. Unfortunately, it is possible that the previous owner will forget to collect keys from friends, neighbors, or pet sitters, making it a good idea to click here and learn to replace your door locks. Adding a home security system, which you can read more about here, is another solid step toward keeping your home safe, both while you are home and while you are away.
Make a map
No one wants to unload heavy couches and bed frames, only to move them a few more times in search of the best placements. Moving day will be much easier and more fulfilling if you create a to-scale space plan in advance. There are a number of apps, websites, and programs that can assist with this task, or you can simply use a sheet of graph paper. Measure out each room and every piece of furniture, create a room template, then mix and match items into spaces to see how everything will fit. You will probably make adjustments on moving day, but planning ahead will provide a starting place.
Child- and pet-proof the house
When children enter a new home, it’s perfectly natural for them to learn about their new home by poking, peeking, opening doors, climbing stairs, and exploring. Taking the time to install child-proofing items like child gates and outlet covers, before the moving day can make the learning process easier. The same is true for pets, who may scratch and mark as part of their settling in process. Having pet games and doggy doors in place before pets arrive can help establish a routine. Moving day comes with its own challenges for kids and pets, thanks to constant chaos and a home strewn with boxes and debris. It is best to find sitters for moving day. You can also establish a moving day safe zone, that is comfortable and free of hazards, within the new home for kids and pets.
Complete a deep cleaning
Your new house might look like a blank slate, but there is probably more grime lurking than you realize. Even if the previous owners committed to move-out cleaning, it is always a good idea to tackle the task yourself. It is easier to deep clean a home while the cabinets are empty and there is no furniture to work around. Be sure to clean all cabinets inside and out, wipe down the tops of ceiling fans, and dust baseboards and moldings with special attention to the corners.
