10 Tasks You Must Perform in Your New House Before Moving In

4 min read

10 Tasks You Must Perform in Your New House Before Moving In

How many Americans change dwellings annually? Statistics dictate that over 30 million people relocate every year, accounting for almost 9.8% of the American population. Also, we can deduce from the statistics collected in July that 14-23 million Americans intend to switch residences in 2021. So, how can homeowners make these moves successful? The trick involves performing certain “rituals” before a person moves into the newly bought residence with their family.

You can’t just start living in a house and call it your domicile before you finish converting it to your home first. Our suggestions assist homeowners in turning an unfamiliar building into a welcoming abode for the entire family.

Ten things to do before shifting to a new house

But what makes people move to another house? Unsurprisingly, experts have declared that the primary motivation for switching places involves housing-related issues. Some homeowners move because of some family or employment problems. But most Americans are searching for better houses only because they aren’t satisfied with their current residential conditions. So, how can you improve the new house’s status as a perfect dwelling for the family? Homeowners often find the process of moving quite stressful because they don’t follow the ultimate moving checklist. Hence, we recommend new homeowners perform specific tasks in their new place. Let’s check them out:

Purge your possessions

You don’t have to transport the entirety of your belongings to the new apartment. Use moving as an excuse to declutter the house and throw away useless objects. You can also hire self-storage units to keep the items you can’t throw away or wish to carry to the new place.

Today, you can find reliable storage units in every region. Residents of Florida can utilize exceptional services that storage units of Iron Guard storage Pensacola provide. These well-secured places are temperature-controlled, where homeowners can dump the stuff too expensive to carry. So, use this opportunity to declutter.

Paint the walls

Many homeowners paint the house’s interior before moving in. It gives the building a new façade, with painting an empty house being easier than painting it after your luggage has been unpacked. It seems viable to paint the walls and the ceiling while fixing holes/cracks in the domestic structure. You can choose a neutral color and remove popcorn ceilings that were commonplace in the olden days. Instead, you can give the house a coat of white/beige to enhance its visual appeal.

Set up utilities

Don’t forget to transfer utilities to your new home before moving. It can help you ensure that everything’s okay and working just fine – from the television to the water in the pipes. It’s also essential to verify that all connections – e.g., gas, water, HVAC, phone, and the internet – have been set up at your new abode. Call the waste management authorities to assign your dwelling for their routine garbage pickup. So, when you eventually move in, everything’s ready for you there.

Conduct electrical updates

Though it isn’t necessary to conduct these upgrades immediately before moving in, you should still replace older outlets with newer ones. You may require putting up GFCIs in the kitchen/bathroom as well. Also, you might need some additional outlets for your TVs, computers, and phone chargers. You can install a ceiling fan before your family settles in the house or motion-activated ceiling light in the basement. It’s better to conduct electrical updates before your stuff gets transferred here.

Change the locks

There’s no knowing to whom previous owners gave a spare key to your house. So, it would help if you changed the locks before having your belongings transported to the apartment. Experts have even suggested changing the locks every seven years to remain well-protected against burglars. So, we recommend scheduling a locksmith to come by and replace the old ones. If you’re uncomfortable with hiring a locksmith, you should try re-keying the locks by yourself.

Replace air filters

We also recommend improving the building’s HVAC system by replacing air filters that remove dirt, dust, and animal hair from your domestic atmosphere. There’s no need to tolerate the pollution left by previous residents. So, ensure to check the HVAC system. It’s wise to hire professionals to maintain the house’s heating and cooling systems. Record when you changed air filters so you can predict how many months they last. Manufacturers advise changing them after 30-60 days.

Clean the house

Some tenants don’t clean the house properly when they leave. So, contact professionals to organize a deep cleaning session for the new apartment. If you’re planning to conduct this cleaning DIY, don’t forget to purchase the required tools. These tools include mops, brooms, buckets, and cleaners for different surfaces. Also, keep a well-stocked supply of facemasks and hand-gloves while you scrub every nook and cranny. It’ll make the house safe from germs for your children to wander about now and then.

Secure the place

Don’t forget to secure the place for your children and four-legged companions before moving into the new house. So, focus on childproofing the apartment by creating child-free zones. It helps to ensure that all doors are locked, windows closed, and sharp objects inaccessible within a kid’s reach. We can’t let these tiny hands injure themselves while playing, can we? Remember to create safe places for your animals as well – especially if the previous tenants weren’t as much pet-friendly.

Pack your essentials

Most homeowners employ the services of a moving company while switching residences. But it isn’t recommended to entrust movers with your valuables, e.g., crucial documents. Also, don’t expect movers to arrive at the destination exactly when you do. Remember to pack your essentials. This package will contain a change of clothing, towels, linen, and essential toiletries. Bringing these items will ensure a seamless transition to the place.

Furnish the place

Lastly, we recommend furnishing your home with familiar objects you’ve grown fond of in the previous apartment. Aside from these secondhand items, purchase some new ones to grow old with and decorate the place. Buy new sofa sets, armchairs, and some well-painted portraits to boost the visual appeal of your new home. Don’t forget to exterminate insects burrowing inside the house before bringing new furniture. That’s how you turn a strange building into a future family home.

Conclusion

According to stats, homeowners reside somewhere for just over 13 years on average. So, this “unlucky thirteen” compels them to switch houses and find better abodes constantly. Recently, the data collected by Census showed that an average American moves 11.7 times in their lifetime, according to the statistics gathered in 2007. So, how can you prolong your stay in a house and call it home? Just don’t forget to plan for chores before calling professionals to inspect the house thoroughly. Furnish the place with things you love and cherish. Paint it all over again, get new locks, and exterminate pests wherever they’re hiding. Also, welcome family, friends, and neighbors to greet you at the “home sweet home.”