New Home Checklist

Congratulations! You just bought a new home. We know it can be an exciting yet stressful time as you move into your new space. Here is a helpful checklist of the first things you should do after getting the keys to your new home.

• Change the locks: For safety reasons, you should change all the locks. You don’t want to risk someone having a spare key to your home.
• Reprogram the garage code and remotes: You never know who the previous owners may have shared the code with, so be sure to reprogram your garage keypad and remotes.
• Set Up utilities and Wi-Fi: Whether you need to set up a new account or just transfer service, you’ll want the necessities like electricity and an internet connection.
• Test the detectors: Make sure the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors work. Replace batteries or install new ones if needed.
• Get fire extinguishers: Put up-to-date fire extinguishers in places with greater risks of fires starting like the kitchen and laundry room.
• Forward your mail: Complete a Change-of-Address form with the United States Postal Service to ensure that mail addressed to your old residence still gets to you. Make sure to inform companies you do business with (like financial institutions, insurance providers, etc.), as well as family and friends, about your new address.
• Make necessary repairs: Did your home inspection reveal some maintenance issues the seller didn’t fix? Prioritize repairing the most urgent items, especially anything that might be a safety risk.
• Do a deep clean: It’s a good idea to give your house a good deep clean before you move in. Mop the floors, vacuum the carpet and wipe down surfaces and windows. You can also clean out your dryer hose and vent and your refrigerator coils.
• Paint the walls: It will never be easier to paint the interior than when your home has no furniture in it. If you’re not feeling the flamingo pink bathroom walls, now is the time to get out your paint can and roller so you can make it yours.
• Replace the furnace filter: If you aren’t sure how recently the furnace filter was replaced, put in a fresh one and keep some extras on hand.
• Find the electrical panel: Make sure you know where the electrical panel is in case you need to shut off power on a circuit or your whole home.
• Locate the main water shut-off valve: If you ever have an emergency like a burst pipe, you’ll need to know how to turn the water off quickly.
• Test your sump pump: If you have a sump pump, test it out to make sure it works properly. After it’s been dry for a while, pour a five-gallon bucket of water into the sump pit to make sure it kicks on and empties the water from the pit.
• Make copies of keys: Make a few copies of your new keys in case you misplace the originals.

By tacking these essentials, you’ll be off to a great start. We wish you many happy years in your new home!