Buying a house is a really exciting thing to do. Not only is it a massive achievement, but it is also the first step in the next chapter of your life. You might just think that once all the legal aspects of the real estate transaction are complete, you can move in all of your belongings and be done with it. However, there are a few steps that you should consider taking as soon as you get the keys to your new place to reduce any issues.
These steps are to ensure that the property is safe and ready for you to move in. It will also ensure that you get the property to a good standard and condition before you move in your belongings. More often than not, new homeowners don’t realize until after they have moved in their stuff that there are issues with the home, whether that is hazards or cleanliness. So it is a really good idea to avoid booking movers for the first day you get the keys, and instead, take some time to look around the property.
Spend some time in it and conduct an inventory of things that need fixing, things that need updating, what cleaning tasks are necessary, and what changes you wish to make to personalize it. This will make the process much easier, as you won’t have to dance around your belongings. You also won’t risk getting them dirty or damaging them in the process, especially if there is a lot of cleaning to do, or you decide to renovate the property.
Unfortunately, it isn’t always as easy to do this. Some people will complete on the same date on the property they are selling, and they are left with the choice of moving their belongings to a storage unit. So moving in straight away might be the only choice. If this is the case, then you may want to consider putting all your belongings into one room and not unpacking anything, apart from the essentials, so you have the rest of the property free to clean up. You can work your way around the home a room at a time, and slowly unpack your belongings as each room becomes clean and ready to use.
To help you on your journey, here are some top tips on the first and most important things you should do when you first move into a house.
Clean the property
You should always clean the property before you do anything else. You never know what germs and bacteria may be lying around, even if the house itself looks clean at first glance. This is especially important if the previous homeowners had pets, smoked, or lacked good hygiene practices. This will give you a clean slate to work from and ensure that there are no issues down the line or hazards. It also provides you with a good opportunity to survey the property for issues, dampness, mold, and areas that may need fixing or renovating. Use this as an opportunity to start on good terms with your new house and make a to-do list for the future.
Make it secure
While the previous homeowners may have handed you their keys, you never know who else might have copies. Whether it is their friends and family, or the owners before them, it is always wise to get the locks changed as soon as you gain access to the property and you can do so. You should also change the locks on back doors, windows, garages, sheds, and any other points of access.
Check the foundations of the property
For safety reasons, you should check the foundations of the property. This includes the brickwork and walls on the exterior, the roof, and joints. You should also check for damp and warped floors and walls. These are all signs of a foundation problem, which you will want to resolve before moving in.
Personalize the interior design
Make sure you make the new property your own. You can do this by painting the walls, bringing in your furniture and decorating in a way that suits your tastes. Many people make the mistake of not doing anything with the design, but you want to make the house your own.
Refresh the garden
The garden is an extension of your home, so you must assess the outside space and decide what you want to do with it. Many new homeowners find that gardens are filled with rubbish, so you might need to clear this, as well as trim down or remove dead plants and bushes. There can also be pest problems at new properties, especially if the garden has been neglected. Animals like grubs and moles can cause issues, so you want to make sure you address this quickly. You can learn how to get rid of moles and other pests in your garden, so you can create a nice space to use.
Moving house should be exciting. Make sure you follow these top tips to help the process go smoothly.
