Congratulations! You survived the time- and energy-draining process of buying a home! Now it’s time to enjoy life at your new address. First, make sure you change your address with the USPS. Now, you’re probably looking forward to the clean slate a new house offers. And who can blame you? You get to leave behind the outstanding maintenance chores and un-scrubbed baseboards from your previous property. However, there is a short list of things you should do before moving into your new place.
We know that moving is already a hassle, and the last thing you want to do is add more to your plate. If you put these key tasks off, though, you’re ultimately making them harder to tackle in the long run. Knock out these eight to-dos before moving in and you’ll be able to enjoy life in your new home stress-free, the way you deserve.
1. Change the locks
First and foremost, it’s important to keep your family and your property safe. You don’t want a stranger running around with a key to your front door, so changing the locks at your home is a natural step. Do it before moving in and you’ll thank yourself when you’re lying in bed the first few nights in your new home. Plus, getting the locks changed before you move in your belongings prevents them from being exposed during that brief window while your locks are getting switched over.
2. Update your address
Changing your address doesn’t have to be a daunting process. Did you know that the USPS offers mail forwarding for movers? All you have to do is head to the Change of Address portion of their website. It will walk you through six simple steps, then ask for payment of $1. One whole dollar and 15 minutes of your time is all you need to get your mail at your new home. Sure, you’ll eventually need to update your address with your credit cards, subscription accounts, etc., but getting set up with the USPS’s mail forwarding buys you some time and ensures that you don’t miss any important documents.
3. Check for leaks
Ideally, your home inspector ensured that your house is leak-free. But with a simple double-check, you can give yourself peace of mind. When you’re moving in and not yet using any water, check your water meter. Wait two hours, making sure no one uses any water, then check your meter again. It should read exactly the same. If it doesn’t, you have a plumbing leak. You may or may not choose to deal with it right away, but at least you’ll be aware of the current state of your pipes. Plus, it’s a lot easier to…
By Kacie Goff | Freshome
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