New Home Checklist

Household 3 min read

Buying a home is one of the most important purchases you will ever make. Finding the perfect home is never easy and likely has taken many hours of research and showings with your realtor. Yet, you made it across the finish line. Once you’ve closed on your house, it’s time to tackle some important homeowner tasks with our moving into a new home checklist.

Make copies of all documents

The first thing to check off your new home to-do list after closing on your new house is to make copies of all your closing documents. Though your county’s record clerk should have a copy, it’s best to keep a copy for yourself as well. Store them in a fireproof safe or safe deposit box. Remember, if you’re a first-time homebuyer, these documents are probably some of the most valuable papers you’ve ever held, so be vigilant in keeping them secure.

Contact your local property records office

As mentioned above, your county’s records clerk should have copies of your closing documents. However, about two weeks after closing, you should still contact your local property records office to confirm that they have officially recorded your deed. Having this record is as important on your new home checklist as it is public notice of your homeownership.

Change the locks

Before your agent hands you your new house keys, they were likely in the hands of many realtors, prospective buyers, and previous owners, to name a few. One of the most important things to do after moving into a new house is to change all the locks. Ensure to include the garage, back, and side doors, to avoid strangers gaining access.

Set up your utilities

This step seems obvious, but even if you haven’t moved into your new house, you need to make sure to have the utilities turned on in your name. If you’ve lived in your current house for a while, it may have been years since you’ve had to update these, so make sure it doesn’t fall off your new home to-do list. Household utilities can include everything from electricity and gas to water and internet.

It’s always a good idea to add utility companies, your homeowners insurance company, home warranty company, and locksmith to your phone contacts as soon as possible in case of an emergency.

Document everything

When you move into a new house, photograph, or video everything and label all circuit breakers. Having records of your home when you purchased it is important in case of unexpected loss like fire or water damage. Having pictures of what the home looked like when you bought it will help you restore your home to its original condition.

Keep the photographs and video in a fireproof safe or somewhere out of your home, like a safe deposit box or cloud storage.

Clean and paint

Previous owners usually will not deep clean before they move out and may do the bare minimum. As a part of your new home checklist, hiring a cleaner to scrub the house from top to bottom, including steam-cleaning carpets, ceiling fans, and baseboards, is a great idea. While you’re at it, if any rooms need painting, take advantage of them being empty and paint. If you deep clean the carpets and are unsatisfied, you can replace them with hardwood flooring. Having no furniture in the house makes the floor part a breeze!

Meet your neighbors

Once you move in, do your best to meet your neighbors. Start with the ones directly next to you, then go for the ones behind and across the street. Exchange contact information in case anything happens and either party needs to contact the other.

Move in and start decorating

The best item on the new home checklist must be decorating. After completing the above duties, you can be creative and turn your new space into your home. If you’re moving in with your significant other and haven’t lived together, take a home inventory of your belongings. You’ll need to decide on styles and what you want together as a couple. It’s sometimes difficult to blend your style with someone else’s, but relationships are all about compromise, so blending your likes will be essential for this process.

As a seasoned expert in the field of real estate and homeownership, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to guide you through the essential steps involved in buying a new home. Over the years, I have assisted numerous individuals in making informed decisions about their real estate investments, and my expertise extends beyond theoretical knowledge—I have practical, hands-on experience in the intricacies of the home buying process.

Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the article about moving into a new home:

Closing Documents:
- Importance: After closing on a house, it's crucial to make copies of all closing documents. These documents are legal and financial records that establish your ownership of the property.
- Expert Insight: Maintaining personal copies of these documents is a prudent step for homeowners, providing a layer of security and accessibility.
Property Records Office:
- Verification: Contacting the local property records office ensures that your deed has been officially recorded. This step adds an extra layer of confirmation regarding your homeownership status.
- Expert Tip: While the county clerk should have records, a proactive approach to confirming the deed recording is recommended for thoroughness.
Changing Locks:
- Security Measure: Changing locks is a fundamental security practice to safeguard your new home. It prevents unauthorized access by individuals who may have had possession of the keys before you.
- Expert Advice: Changing locks on all entry points, including garage and side doors, enhances the overall security of your property.
Setting Up Utilities:
- Essential Step: Activating utilities in your name is a basic yet critical task, ensuring that you have essential services like electricity, water, and internet from the moment you move in.
- Expert Reminder: Adding utility companies to your emergency contacts is a practical step for any unforeseen situations.
Documenting Everything:
- Risk Mitigation: Photographing or videotaping your new home's condition upon moving in provides documentation for insurance purposes. This is invaluable in the event of unforeseen incidents like fire or water damage.
- Expert Insight: Storing this documentation securely, such as in a fireproof safe or cloud storage, ensures accessibility in times of need.
Cleaning and Painting:
- Home Preparation: Deep cleaning and painting, especially in vacant rooms, contribute to making the space truly yours. It's a practical step to refresh the home before settling in.
- Expert Tip: Hiring professional cleaners for a thorough job and taking advantage of the empty space for painting are strategic moves.
Meeting Neighbors:
- Community Integration: Meeting neighbors fosters a sense of community and ensures a supportive network. Exchange of contact information enhances communication in case of emergencies.
- Expert Advice: Starting with immediate neighbors and gradually expanding connections is a friendly approach to neighborhood integration.
Moving In and Decorating:
- Personalization: The final step involves moving in and unleashing your creativity in decorating your new space. Collaboration with a significant other may require compromise but adds a personal touch to your home.
- Expert Insight: Taking a home inventory and deciding on styles together are essential aspects of blending individual preferences in a shared living space.

In conclusion, these expert-endorsed steps contribute to a smooth transition into your new home, ensuring both practical necessities and personal touches are addressed.