With all the excitement you have had with purchasing a new home, it’s easy to forget some important tasks. Plus, certain things are best done while the house is still vacant, long before your boxes and furniture are parked in the place. Put these things off, and it becomes all the harder to tackle them later. Here is a helpful list of all the things to do before moving into your new home.
Your White Brick Real Estate Relationship Consultant will be providing you with a list of the utility suppliers for your new home. When you have your loan approval, reach out to each of them to schedule for the utility to be turned on in your name effective on the date of closing.
2. Order an energy audit
One of the best ways to cut your energy bill is to order a home energy audit.An energy audit is a professional assessment of your new home’s overall energy performance. This will show you how to make your house more energy-efficient (think insulating the attic, weatherstripping windows, sealing air leaks in crawl spaces).For convenience, it’s best to have one done and make related repairs before moving in. A home energy audit costs, on average, about $215 to $600, but some utility companies will do them for free.
3. Do a deep clean
It’s never easier to do a deep clean than when the house is empty. A cleaning service costs around $150-$300. Your White Brick Consultant can make recommendations to companies that other clients have had experience with if you do not want to clean the home yourself.
4. Change the locks
This is a basic safety measure; however,it can’t be done until after closing
5. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Your home inspect should have tested these, but you never know what can happen before you move in. Make sure these are functioning properly to protect your new home from fires and other emergencies. Buy fire extinguishers. Get one for every level of your home, make sure you know how to use it, and plan an escape route in the event of a fire.
6. Set up the alarm system
If the home already has a security system installed, call the provider to confirm that service is set up. If the home does not have a security system in place, or if you desire a new one, your White Brick Consultant can recommend companies that may be of value to you.
7. Tackle major home renovations or repairs
The last thing you want to do is have to tiptoe around a construction zone after you move in. So, if you want to repaint the home, resand floors, or make any other renovations, do them in advance. These projects are best done when the house is empty and usually don’t happen once the furniture shows up. And remember, you have the right to bring in vendors for quotes, as part of the home inspection process, but work cannot start until you sign have completed the sale. Your White Brick Consultant can make recommendations to companies that other clients have had experience with.
8. Get a home warranty
Imagine waking up one morning to a busted boiler or leaking washer in your brand-new home. A home warranty covers the cost of repairing many home appliances—and basic coverage starts at only about $450.
9. Get to know your new house
Find the circuit breaker box and main water shut-off valve are before moving in, so you know how to turn off the electricity or water in an emergency. Also, consider labeling your home’s electrical panel.
10. Childproof the home
Have kids? Every year, millions of children are hospitalized because of accidents around the home, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. So, before your bundle of joy starts toddling around the house, take steps to fully childproof your new home.
11. Forward your mail
Don’t forget to update your address with the United States Postal Service. (Visit the Official Postal Service Change of Address website.) The postal service charges a fee to verify your identity when changing your address online, so you’ll need a credit or debit card. The postal service will stop forwarding periodicals to your new address 60 days after you move, so alert magazines and newspapers that you’ve moved.
12. Update your address
Alert your credit card companies, banks, or other financial institutions, and change your drivers license to the new address. Also, if you frequently buy anything from a website, you can avoid a future headache by updating your profile with your new shipping and / or billing address.