Turn on the Utilities
It’s not safe to assume the electric, water, and gas will be turned on when you move in. Call the local utility company to schedule a date and time to have the utilities turned on in your name. Chances are the seller will have them turned off on the closing date.
Set up TV and Internet Service
Most of the time your TV and internet service installers are booked up, and won’t be able to come out on the day you need them to unless you schedule ahead. When your closing date is set, plan ahead by giving the company a call and scheduling an installation date. Most companies don’t charge to move your services, and it will ensure you don’t do without internet for the first week you’re in your new home.
Do a Deep Clean
It’s always easier to deep clean an empty home. Before you move, focus on cleaning the areas that don’t always get a regular cleaning. Clean inside window sills, baseboards and trim, wipe down cabinets and vanities, and dust and wipe down walls. A clean home is a happy home!
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Your home inspector would have tested these during your home inspection, but that was likely when you first had a contract on your new home. To give you and your family peace of mind, it is always a good idea to test your detectors again upon moving into your new home.
Change Your Locks
This is a basic safety measure; however, it can’t be done until after closing. Most exterior lock companies provide a way to have all your doors keyed to the same key. This will save you the hassle of keeping up with multiple keys for the different entries to your home.
Tackle Renovations
It already takes time to get everything settled into a new home. You don’t want to be living in a construction site on top of that. So if you want to sand and refinish the floors, paint the walls, refinish cabinets, or any other renovations, try to tackle those before moving in, if at all possible. It will be much easier to get these projects done without having to work around furniture.
You can also bring contractors in to get quotes ahead of time if you wish, but the work cannot start on the home until you own the home.
Make any Repairs
Before moving in, it’s a great idea to hire a handyman to take care of any repairs that the sellers didn’t agree to fix. If you’re pretty handy, you can take care of these repairs yourself, but it’s easy to put these tasks off and not get them done after you move in. If you can get these done before moving in, that’s one less project you have to worry about.
Get to Know Your Home
Make yourself familiar with where the breaker box and the water shut off is upon first moving into your home. This will ensure that you know exactly where to go if you need to kill the power or shut the water off if something goes wrong.
Forward Your Mail
Don’t forget to update your address with the US Postal Service. This can be done online or at your local Post Office. The Postal Service does charge a $1 fee to verify your identity when changing your address online so you will need a debit or credit card.
Insider Tip: When you change your address, you will receive a moving packet loaded with coupons. Often including 10% off at Lowes that will help with any home projects you have planned for your new home.
Update Your Billing Address
The postal service will stop forwarding your mail to your new address for 60 days after you move. So, make sure you alert your credit card companies, banks, or any other financial institutions of your new address. You are required to update your address on your driver’s license which can be done online and doesn’t require buying a new license. If you frequently buy anything online, you can avoid a future headache by updating your accounts with your new address.