Moving into a new home is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful. There are so many things that you need to take care of before you move in and if you don’t know what they all are, the process can turn into a nightmare.
That is why we have created this checklist for anyone who needs help!
Make sure the home has a good location
Is the home in a safe neighborhood with good schools and access to transportation?
How far is it from your office or stores that you frequent often? You want to be close enough so that you can get there, but not too close. If everything is within an hour away then something might be off about the location.
Find an area with a good variety of restaurants, grocery stores, and other fun activities.
Is the home close to your family? It will be easier on everyone if they can visit easily!
If you don’t have any children yet or are thinking about having some in a few years then make sure that there is plenty for kids to do so that they won’t get bored. You want them to enjoy their new neighborhood too!
What should I look out for when visiting potential homes: – Are there signs of flooding from previous disasters?
The location could be more prone to this than others due to its geographical location. If possible, ask about how often it floods and what
Check for structural damage and potential pests
Check for any damage to the exterior of the home. Cracks in the foundation, or sagging doorways are signs that you may want to reconsider this property.
Don’t forget about those pesky pests either! Mice and rats can make a home unlivable very quickly if they’re not taken care of properly
Look around your new house for droppings and other potential issues with pest control.
The location could be more prone to flooding due to its geographical location: ask how often it floods and what type of disasters happen there most frequently (i.e., hurricanes).
Checking for structural damage is important too–cracks in foundations or roofing problems indicate a need for repairs which might cost far beyond an inspection fee.”
Check out the yard to make sure it’s safe for your kids to play in
If children will have access inside of the home, check if their safety could be compromised by hazardous conditions outside such as a swimming pool, gas grill or hot tub.
If you know that playing in your yard is an unsafe environment for them, consider getting some child-friendly indoor furniture to keep them entertained until they can play outdoors once again and get those little fingers busy with arts & crafts projects!
Many buyers don’t consider what their new yard space looks like until after they’re done packing up an old house, which might be too late if your children want to play outside again before moving day arrives. If pets or young kids call this place home now,
For Sale or rent?
Consider what you’ll be using the property for – if you’re thinking about renting it out or living there long-term with a family, make sure that it will suit your needs.
If this property is being purchased as an investment opportunity, how much of that return can realistically come from rental income versus capital appreciation on upswings in real estate value?”
Look at zoning laws and restrictions on building permits in the area
There are usually different rules for constructing a home depending on how far you live from designated areas, such as wetlands or special landmarks. Make sure your builder has taken all of these into account before making any plans to build your new dream home.
Ask for copies of any applicable plans, including site plan drawings, house design sketches, elevations or sections.
Find out which local authorities need to be notified about your new home project; these might include town councils or planning boards.
You may also have to submit an application for a building permit as well as other documentation that is needed by law according to the state you live in.
For example, some states require a wetland delineation survey before construction can commence with certain property types or within specific distances from bodies of water such as rivers and streams (which are often called riparian zones).
In California’s San Francisco Bay Area region alone there are over 100,000 acres of wetlands.
Contracts for excavation and foundation work are often needed as well. You will also need to hire a general contractor or site engineer who can coordinate all the various aspects of your new home project.
Keep in mind that you may want an architect, engineers and other professionals involved before any construction begins so they can advise on design layouts, materials used and more when it comes time to draw up blueprints with cost estimates.
As with most major undertakings like this one – from buying land to purchasing building supplies- there is a long list of tasks that needs to be completed before moving day arrives!
Paint your front door a bright color to make it stand out from the rest of the house
There are many different ways that you can make your front door stand out from the rest of your house. The most common way is to paint it a bright color, such as green or red.
You could also use this opportunity to add some additional detail by painting polka dots and stripes on the door or adding a stencil design if desired.
When choosing colors for the exterior of your home, keep in mind that warm colors will give off welcoming vibes while cool colors will have people feeling more at ease and relaxed about entering an unfamiliar setting – so choose wisely!
- Install a new mailbox that matches your home’s exterior design.
- Check for any mold or mildew in the basement, as it can damage your new home’s foundation and walls.
- Check for any mold or mildew in the basement, as it can damage your new home’s foundation and walls.
- Check out the house next door to see if there are any high-traffic areas that might pose a problem with dust, noise, or other nuisances.
- Some people also like to check out their future neighbors before they move into a neighborhood to make sure none of them will be unpleasant surprises. If you go this route though please don’t do anything creepy: just knock on some doors!
Good idea to have a first-aid kit on hand for cuts or other injuries around the house. Household accidents are common in newly completed homes.
There is an old saying: ‘You never know what you need until you move.’ It is true that moving often brings out unforeseen needs (or desires) such as furniture pieces not yet purchased.
Bedding items still needed for all beds and decor accents desired but forgotten about before packing up everything from one residence to start anew at another address or location.
Test the water pressure in all of your faucets and showerheads
In order to discover if you have a high-pressure problem, turn on as many taps as possible at once (including those that are higher up), shut them off for 60 seconds or so, then open them one by one.
If there is any difference in the flow of each tap when they’re opened individually, this is likely because some pipes may be getting clogged with sediment from a less powerful source of supply.
You should also be aware that an unusually low-pressured pipe can reduce your home’s total hot water capacity which means it will take longer before the first batch warms up enough to use.
- Clean up leaves, debris, and spider webs from outside your home
- You should also check the roof for any signs of leaks or damage.
- Check that every door is unlocked so that you can avoid locksmith costs when getting back in after moving day.
- Test whether there’s enough natural light coming through windows without additional artificial lighting by turning off all electric lights during daytime hours on a sunny day.
- Inspect all windows and caulking for cracks or damage that could lead to air leaks.
- If you have a fireplace or wood stove, make sure it is in working order and that there are no cracks on the chimney.
- Check to see if your smoke alarms are functioning properly by testing them at least once per month. Replace batteries annually as needed.
- Inspecting for signs of pests such as mouse droppings, ants, wasps nests can help stop an infestation before it starts.
- Clean all windows inside and out with vinegar water solution to remove any build up from residue left behind by hard water deposits or mold/mildew stains caused by excessive humidity levels in the home (due to leaky window sealants).
- How many bedrooms do you need, or want, in your new home
- Do you need a finished basement, or would that be an extra cost?
- What sort of heating system is best for your new home? (If you plan to live in the house year-round) Will proper ventilation be required with this type of heat and if so what kind?
- Is there a garden hose handy when it rains (or sprinkles)? If not, will one have to hand-carry water from another location such as a nearby kiddy pool for watering plants and filling up outside fountains? Remember to factor in all costs associated with washing windows after each rainstorm.
- How old is the roof? Is it made of metal, asphalt shingles, or cement tiles and what condition are they in?
- Is there an easy way to reach all four corners of your yard from the home’s front door for cutting grass and removing weeds. If not will you have to hand-carry a lawnmower back and forth across some distance or buy one with wheels so that you can use it on both sides of the property line between two properties (e.g., if your new home is at the end of a cul de sac)?
- Do you want lots of windows which allow light inside during winter months but also need window coverings such as curtains or shutters when privacy is desired?
- What sort of climate are you moving to? Is it a drought-prone area or one with lots of rain and snow?
- What is the most important thing for your new home’s layout: privacy, natural light, access to public transportation, a good school district (if applicable), easy commuting from work if you have an office job or live in a populous metropolitan area?
- Do you want effective insulation so that heat inside stays put on cold days but then can be released during warm months without using up all your energy bills?
- Are there any other items which might affect how well suited the location will be for raising children such as proximity to schools and shops; do they offer child care services nearby like daycare centers.
Check out local ordinances about yard grass restrictions.
Grass can get old quickly, requiring mowing more often than once per week during the summer months.
You might find that you’ll need to install a sprinkler system if the area is too dry without watering.
A good rule of thumb for estimating water usage during periods of heavy rain or severe heat waves is an inch and a half per day, but this can vary depending on climate, soil type, plant life, etc.
Do you have any pets that will be moving with you into this new space?
If so, you’ll need to make sure they have a safe place in the new home too.
Do you have a washer and dryer that will be set up in the new house?
If not, find out the closest laundromat or laundry mat to your home. If it’s too far away, figure out how much time this takes each week before deciding if it would make more sense for you to simply buy an appliance within budget instead of wasting gas money on trips back and forth every day.
Consider buying appliances such as microwaves, dishwashers, clothes washers/dryers all at once so they match with one another aesthetically since these are items that often get left behind when moving again even though people only use them about two years on average.
Get an inspection before closing on the house
I highly recommend getting an inspection before you close on the house. This will give you a chance to point out anything that should be looked into and fix it beforehand, rather than after closing when someone else is responsible for any changes.
It also ensures that there are no surprises with disclosures later in the process!
One of my favorite things about buying our home was being able to get all of these fixes made ahead of time so we didn’t have to deal with them once we moved in or hire professionals at a higher cost down the line.
Make sure there are enough electrical outlets and plumbing fixtures to meet your needs
Make sure there are enough electrical outlets for all the devices you plan to plug in. There should be at least one outlet per person, or about two more than the number of people who will live in the home.
You also want an ample supply of wall sockets (power strips) that can handle heavy loads like electric heaters and air conditioning units.
Ensure adequate water pressure by checking on-site water meters before signing a lease agreement or full purchase contract.
This is especially important if you need high water pressure for any reason such as laundry machines with agitators, large baths, dishwashers with spinning arms etc., which may not work properly without sufficient water pressure).
Ask about what type of heating and cooling system can be installed in the house.
You’re looking for a heating and cooling system that fits your needs.
For instance, if you live in an area with harsh winters, then it’s important to find a home with the right kind of insulation and vents to keep cold air out during winter months.
Likewise, if you plan on living in an area where summers are scorching hot, make sure there is enough ventilation inside the house so heat won’t build up while still keeping shade from UV rays outside through windows or screens.
In any case, before signing anything official ask about what type of heating and cooling systems can be installed in the house – this will save time down the road when moving into your new place!
Clean and vacuum the house
Start with the living room and work your way to bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. – Sweep up any dirt or pet hair from floor as you spot it on the ground.
Vacuum carpets looking for food crumbs that may have fallen down over time (you can use a vacuum cleaner brush attachment).
Wash walls in high traffic areas using a mixture of water, vinegar, and baking soda if they are dirty or grimy.
*NOTE: If going through this before moving out is not an option for you then make sure to thoroughly clean all surfaces when vacating (especially kitchen appliances) so that there won’t be anything left behind!
Clean mirrors inside house by spraying them with window cleaner and wiping off with a paper towel.
Spray and wipe down all of the exterior doors in your house with a mixture of water, vinegar, and baking soda to remove any dirt or grime that may have accumulated over time so you can avoid this when moving into your new home!.
Make sure there is nothing left behind by vacating (especially kitchen appliances).
Letting go? Throw away old clothes or donate them if they are still usable. Pack up items like toiletries and books for later unpacking inside the new space.
Ensure that there are no holes in walls or ceilings
You can’t tell if a wall has been painted over until you start painting. Check for holes in the walls or ceilings and fill them up with spackle, wood putty or another filler substance before plastering it.
If there are any, patch them up as soon as possible to avoid getting paint all over your new place when you move in.
Make sure all the lights work
It’s never a good time for an electrical outage, but it could be worse on moving day. Check all the light fixtures in every room to make sure they’re working properly and if not replace them before you move out.
Check the fuse box in each room for blown fuses and replace as needed. Have spare fuses on hand just in case they’re all bad. Replace any frayed wiring and broken switches with long-term fixes (these are more expensive).
Wrapping up!
Now that you’re a homeowner, make sure you have all the essentials in place before moving day. This includes: emergency contact information and service providers for electricity and water to get their connections finalized.
Appliances: refrigerator, stove-top and oven, dishwasher or laundry machine. You’ll need a vacuum cleaner as well for cleaning floors and other surfaces of your new space.
The last thing you want to do is go out shopping after the move once all the boxes are unpacked!
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