When moving into a new house, there are many things you need to consider. For the most part, people will point out that packing and unpacking are the most important things you should do when you just moved in, but some will also tell you that the things you do right after packing are what make the most significant differences in the moving in process and the house set up.

You need to familiarize yourself with the new home, go over its main functions and features, and you need to set up a list of projects you’ll want to do as a homeowner. Also, meeting neighbors should also be a priority – you want to make a good first impression!

So, start with unpacking. As a matter of fact, if you find yourself wanting to get rid of a few things, consider furniture donation pickup in Fort Lauderdale as an option to create some space for yourself and to give back to the community at the same time. 

So, you’ve just moved in; you’re done with packing. For the next couple of essential steps, please, keep reading on.

Perform a Walkthrough

Take a good look at the house set up. As a matter of fact, some experts advise doing the walkthrough when the house is empty. Take a thorough look at everything and make sure that:

  • Everything you’ve agreed upon with the previous owner has been carried out (like repairs).
  • Everything is present that was included at the time of the sale
  • Everything is in order and working (like fixtures, outlets, switches)

Identify Possible Issues

If you find anything that goes against the terms of the sale, call your realtor to see how you can address the problem. If you find anything new that wasn’t included in your sale contract, that’s yours to take care of. The sooner you know about every issue, the faster you can mitigate them.

If Needed, Perform Child/Pet Proofing

If you have children, moving into a new house should start with making sure that your kids will be safe. Before the new house set up is finished, make sure to make the necessary changes to make the home child-proof and safe. Consider creating a kid-free zone where you can keep the discarded packing materials. Also, check every window and door to make sure that they are safe, and ultimately, check the entire home for hanging cords, exposed wires, and more. 

Lastly, make sure to keep everything that’s potentially dangerous out of your children’s reach (like glassware, cleaning supplies, box cutters, and such).

Figure out The House Set-Up

Young Couple With Chairs and Plants Moving in and Setting up the New Apartment

You’ve just moved in, and you’ve unpacked the majority of your belongings, but there’s still much to do. Instead of just winging the entire settling-in process, make a detailed plan of where you will put your things. Make sure that you will start with items like heavy furniture and move them exactly where you’d like to see them. Having a clear idea of how you’d like the set-up to look is always a great thing to avoid unnecessary lugging and save yourself precious time in the process.

Check the Utility Set-Up

Before moving into a house, you should take care of the utilities to ensure that everything’s in working order when you finally move in. When you’ve just moved in, it’s a great idea to double-check and see whether everything’s truly in working order or not. Even before you unpack your things, inspect the electric, water, gas, cooling and heating, internet, and phone set-ups. Lastly, take care of garbage pick up by calling the local waste management company. 

Perform a Deep Clean

After you’ve just moved in, cleaning the entire house is probably the last thing on your mind. Still, most experts agree that this is the best time for a thorough cleaning session. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it yourself, and if you don’t have the energy to mop up the entire house, you can always use the help of professional cleaners. The point here is to make sure that you start living your new life in a clean environment – it’s really worth it. 

Check out the Water Valve and the Fuse Box

When moving into a house, locate these two things right off the bat so you don’t have to waste your time looking for them when you really need them.

Generally, the fuse box will either be in the basement, a storage room, or the garage, while the water valve will most probably be somewhere around the house’s perimeter.

Don’t Forget About Repairs

Even if you just moved in, you already need to have a good idea about the repair projects that you want to tackle left by the previous owners. During the walkthrough we talked about earlier, inspect the entire house and prioritize the tasks that you will want to address. Of course, you don’t need to start working right away, but it’s a great way to put your repair tasks and needs into perspective and make the job easier when you actually have to get started with them.

Consider Changing The Locks

Man Changing Core of a Door Lock of the Entrance Glass Door, Close-up View With No Face

A lot of professionals recommend doing this after you’ve just moved in. It’s not about being concerned about the previous owner; it’s more about your peace of mind. If you’re handy enough, you can get the job done yourself, or you can always call a locksmith if you don’t have the time or don’t feel up to the task.

Change Your Address

You’ve probably already done this before moving day, but now would be a good time if you haven’t. Apart from going through the necessary address changing process, you should also consider notifying your friends and family about the new address. Also, don’t forget providers, banks, schools, etc.

If you move into a new state, you will also have to reach out to the DMV to get a new license and probably update your vehicle registration. 

Meeting Neighbors

Lastly, don’t forget to meet the neighbors! Do it right after moving in. This way, you get off with them on the right foot. It’s a surefire way to make an excellent first impression and learn about your new community. As a matter of fact, they can get you great recommendations regarding local services. Of course, you don’t have to knock on every door on the street, but do introduce yourself whenever you run into a new person from the neighborhood. 

Moving In Doesn’t Have To Be Stressful

As you can see, with the right approach, the entire process can be smooth and straightforward. Sure, the moving process itself is pretty overwhelming, but having the right strategic approach can and will make everything a lot easier. 

After moving in, your primary concern should be to familiarize yourself with your new home and community. Get to know your neighbors, local organizations, and companies. Also, if you want to make a statement and show that you mean to be a valuable member of your new community, you can always reach out to us and learn more about our cause.