The Ultimate List of What to Do After Buying a House

Posted on September 9, 2021

Moving into a new home is like opening a new chapter of a book – the anticipation can be both exciting and daunting. Others may describe it as running a marathon as it involves a number of steps you need to take before everything feels complete. It may take some time for you to go through this lengthy to-do list, but the end result along with the wonderful sense of relief will definitely be worth all the effort you put into this process. To kickstart your journey, here’s the ultimate list of what to do after buying a house.

Get to know your new home

One of the most important things you need to do after buying a house is to learn where everything is. It can be easy for these things to slip your mind in the move-in process. However, being prepared is key in tackling emergencies. Therefore, locate and test everything from the circuit box to sump pump to main water and gas shut-off valves. Remember to create a maintenance plan that includes everything from changing HVAC filters to descaling a water heater. That way, you’ll make sure all your duties are being taken care of regularly.

Make sure you’ve got everything you need

Moving into a new home also calls for some basic tools that you may not have considered up until now. From tool kits and long extension cords to wet/dry vacuums and power drills, there’s a whole list of items you’ll need when moving in. Not only will they come in handy for all those home improvement projects you’ve been planning on tackling, but they’re also investments that will last for years. Also, if you’re planning on giving your home a new look, do it now. Even if it’s something simple like adding a wallpaper or updating kitchen hardware, the sooner you do it, the better.

Treat your new home to a deep clean

Speaking of things to tackle sooner rather than later, you’ll also need to give your new home a deep clean. Chances are, the previous owners or the construction company did the bare minimum when cleaning the house. Whether it’s a pre-owned home or new build, play it safe and hire residential cleaning services to get your new place professionally cleaned. They’ll give every surface, nook, and cranny a good and thorough scrub and disinfect everything from top to bottom. That way, you can rest assured everything is gleaming with perfection the day you begin moving your stuff in.

Give your walls a fresh coat of paint

Once everything’s been thoroughly cleaned, you’ll be left with a blank slate to work with. This is a great opportunity to give your new house some personal touches. The easiest and cheapest way to do it is to treat your walls to a fresh lick of paint. It’s a simple yet effective makeover idea that’ll transform your new place into a home you’ll love coming back to. Plus, it’s much easier to get all your painting done when there’s no furniture around.

Make sure your new place feels safe and secure

It can be so easy to get carried away by all the different projects and upgrades you want to tackle. But safety and security should be your top priorities before moving into a new house. A good place to start is to change all the door locks along with garage, alarm, and security codes. Make extra keys just to be on the safe side. Update your address and contact USPS to forward your old mail. Finally, schedule your utilities to be hooked up ahead of time so you won’t have to wait for an appointment just so that you can connect to the Internet.

Move in and start decorating your new house

After all the cleaning, painting, and home improvement projects comes the fun part – moving in and decorating a new home! Now that you’ve completed all your duties, you can finally spend some time turning a house into a home. If you’re moving in with a partner or family, discuss the things that should stay and go. Try to compromise and blend your personal styles. Once everything is set up, introduce yourself to the neighbors and invite them over. You can also throw a move-in party to celebrate your relocation and give a toast to new beginnings.

Wrapping up

Settling in a new home and starting a new chapter in your life is an exciting journey. But even if you’ve already got keys in your hand, there are a number of things you need to tackle before walking in the front door. The sooner you’re able to cross these things off your checklist, the easier and smoother the whole transition will be.