When you move into your new home, your first thoughts are likely going to involve how to decorate, what colors to paint, and where to put all of your things. It's a very exciting culmination to a process that could have been months long, so it's perfectly natural to want to skip to the fun parts and start making everything beautiful in your brand new space. But before you bust out the paintbrushes, there are a few things you'll want to make sure you take care of first!
1. CHANGE THE LOCKS!! First things first - head to the hardware store and purchase new doorknobs and deadbolts for all exterior doors in your home. Even if the seller promised that new locks would be installed, or that all keys were handed over at closing, your peace of mind is worth the few dollars and minutes you'll spend changing the locks. Over time, it can be difficult to remember that you gave a key to an old neighbor to water your plants over a weekend - so you can never be 100% sure that every key is accounted for. Instead, start over fresh with a whole new set of locks, so you'll always know exactly who has access to your home!
2. Clean that kitchen!! Even if it LOOKS clean, don't you want to be sure? The kitchen is usually the last room that people pack up before they're about to move out, since it's the room that gets the most daily use. That means that if the sellers got into a rush, or the closing was moved up a week, the kitchen is likely where the corners were cut. If you have time, it's always best to give the whole house a once over before all of your things are moved in, but if you're on a time crunch, at least make sure to give the kitchen a good scrub. Wipe down the insides of the cabinets, fridge, over, and pantry, and don't forget about those dark places underneath your appliances!
3. Steam the floors!! Another place where it's going to pay to take a few extra minutes lies right under your feet. Even if your homes previous occupants were mega clean and scrubbed the house from top to toe, I'm willing to bet that they didn't go back in after the movers walked out to wipe down the floors again! And in the case of a carpeted home...well we all have had carpeting before, we know what can happen if there are kids, pets, intoxicated adults, clumsy folks, or really anyone else walking over it. This is one area where it might be beneficial to you to just call a local floor cleaning company and have them go in right after you sign your closing papers, before the movers get there!
4. Call an exterminator!! Most mortagees require a WDO prior to closing, but a lot of home purchasers don't realize that a WDO doesn't tell the whole story about your home. You can get a passing inspection indication that there are no termites on the property, only to find that the first time it rains, your home is covered in ants. Or worse, the first night you get up to get a midnight snack and see roaches scurry away from the kitchen light! Contact an exterminator shortly after moving in and have them come out and do a full inspection of your new property, inside and out!
Once you get the nuts and bolts sorted out, you can move on to all that fun decorating and unpacking with a peaceful mind and a ready new home!
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