Whether you’re moving into a new build or a new-to-you home, there’s a few tasks everyone should complete before moving in.
Change the Locks
You never know who might have keys to your home and when they might try to use them. Safest thing to do is to change the locks on your door as soon as you possibly can. You can install new deadbolts yourself or call a locksmith for some help. For a great list of expert locksmiths, you can find listings and reviews on Yelp.
Steam Clean Carpets
New construction dust or pet dander from previous tenants can be a killer for people with breathing problems. Steam cleaning your carpets before moving all your stuff in is a great way to clear out dust and dander to get a fresh start in your new home. Like locksmiths, you can find carpet cleaners your new neighbors trust on Yelp, or you can rent a steam cleaner yourself.
Get to Know Your Circuit Breaker
We’ve all been there. It’s a bad storm, or maybe you just have too many things plugged in, and you trip a switch. Time to go to the breaker box and figure out what’s going on. Except, you don’t know where it is. Finally, you find it– piled behind stuff from your move. Before moving in, take time to figure out where your breaker box is so you can reach it in case of emergencies or you don’t accidentally cover it with boxes and have to move things around in the dark. Also, you might need to label what’s what in your breaker box. This task takes two people; one person is needed to flip switches and the other to see if the lights go off or not. You don’t want to have to flip a bunch of switches every time you need to do a little electrical work.
Make Sure All Utilities Work
Nothing is worse than trying to move in without running water or power. Some companies have a delay between when you set up the account and when the utilities are activated, don’t take a chance you won’t have power or running water– turn on the utilities as soon as possible! Take care of your essential utilities first, the move will go much smoother if you do.
Replace Filters
This applies more if your home was previously lived in. The average home has a lot of filters, more than just air filters. These include aeration filters in sinks, vent filters above the stove, the dryer vents and, of course, the air filters in the heating and air conditioning unit. You don’t know the last time these filters have been changed, so changing them can give you peace of mind.
Test Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Don’t think your detectors work, know they work. It’s really simple to make sure they work. First, press and hold the test button on the alarm, it may take a few seconds to start, but soon you’ll hear the siren. If the sound is weak or you don’t hear one at all, replace the batteries and try again. It’s also a good idea to be familiar with the sounds your detectors make. When you hear them go off in the middle of the night, you’ll want to know exactly what’s making the noise. Moving day can be exciting and overwhelming all at the same time. But, by taking care of these few things before your stuff officially arrives can give you more time to focus on settling in and making your new house a home.
good living simplified.
The team at Gaskill Realty helps you rent, buy, invest, or sell property. Let us find you good living.
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