10 Things You Should Do Before Moving Into Your New Home

After buying a house, it's time to relax (for a second), take a deep breath, and plan your next move. Getting your new house ready for your arrival will take some work, but this is the sort of work you've been looking forward to from the moment you decide to purchase a home. We'll cover the details ahead, with ten important tasks for preparing to move in after buying a house. 

1. Turn on Utilities
   The last thing you want is to show up to start making a home your own and find out you forgot to have the electricity turned on. Not that we're speaking from experience, of course. Just get this one out of the way ahead of time by calling your local utility companies.
   
   
2. Change Locks
   When a home is on the market, it's not unusual for a REALTOR, contractors, and previous owners to all have copies of the keys. Having your locks changed when you move in is an easy way to boost security and make the home feel like your own.
   
   
3. HVAC
   Even if you're not moving in the heart of summer or winter, you'll want to have your heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems serviced when you move in. These systems all require regular maintenance to maintain efficiency and may need a tune-up if they haven't been used in a while.
   
   
4. Seasonal Prep
   If you're moving to an area with extreme seasonal weather, making a few preparations can save you plenty of headaches. Be sure to have rock salt, a snow shovel, and sturdy boots in your new home if you're moving in the winter.
   
   
5. Change of Address
   Another easy one to forget during the heat of a move, so it's best to change your address as soon as possible. Basically, if a business sends you a bill or any regular correspondence, then it's a good idea to let them know your address is changing.
   
   
6. A Coat of Color
   Painting your new home is a great way to make it feel like your own, and it's much easier to paint before you start moving furniture into your home. There's no shame in contracting out the job if you want that professional touch.
   
   
7. Find Main Circuit Breaker
   Your circuit breaker is a key line of defense, allowing you to shut off electrical systems in an emergency or re-start tripped breakers. Get to know your breaker, its labels, and the systems it controls.
   
   
8. Name and Number
   Moving into a new home means you'll be making plenty of phone calls, so create a list of key names and numbers for easy reference. It's also a good idea to write down the numbers of local emergency response services.
   
   
9. Clean and Tidy
   If you're moving into an unfurnished home, you'll never have a better opportunity to clean those hidden corners. Even if the home is already furnished, it's a good idea to move things around and clean your new home thoroughly.
   
   
10. Landscaping
    Depending on the time of year, you might also want to make some landscaping preparations. Spring is naturally a good time for planting, while fall and winter are great for cleaning.

There's plenty of work to be done after buying a house, but we have a feeling that you're going to enjoy every minute of it. Follow our ten tips for moving into your new home, and you'll already be off to a great start.

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