What are things to do in a new home?
How can I get and stay organized? How can I help my young adult know what to do because it’s been so long since I did any of this? I am thinking about downsizing, and it’s been forever since I have set up a new home; what should I think about?
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We just guided our oldest son through the process of his first home purchase. It was interesting to watch. There are so many things that he knows how to do, but this process has been a good one to go through with him as a reminder of how many things our young adults don’t know, and many things that I had either forgotten or never knew.
This post is for anyone going through this process: young new homeowner, mid-lifer going through a downsize, or anyone even thinking about going down this road -these are all things to think about!
- Here is our apartment planner, which has many of the same things you would need in a new home!
Things To Do In a New Home #1: Change the locks
Change the locks and update all the security codes, including the garage, alarm, and any smart locks. This would be a great time to install a ring camera! Here are some window alarms that would be good especially in a ground floor condo or townhouse.
You would be surprised by how many people will come back to a former residence to get something and just let themselves in! They might have had friends who had a copy of their key. You just never know!
Things To Do In a New Home #2: Find shutoffs
Find and label the main shutoffs for water, gas, and electricity so you know exactly where everything is. Here is a great label maker for these types of tasks.
There are a few situations in which it’s best to shut off water to your home entirely. Here are a couple of examples: you have a water leak, your pipes freeze and burst, or you are doing major plumbing repairs. It’s always best to turn it off immediately if you have any question because it is very easy to turn back on.
Things To Do In a New Home #3: Put all utilities in your name
Double check that all utilities are in your name and the billing is set up correctly.
Utilities might include: gas, electric, water, trash, wi-fi. For our area, if we pay the city, it covers water, electric and trash. But, in many places these things are all separate or somehow bundled together differently.
All of these services will have a website with a tab for setting up services or creating an account. This will be easy to do for someone with established credit. If your young adult doesn’t have established credit, you can co-sign or they can sign up for pay-as-you go services. Another thing to let them know is that for some utilities, they can sign up for budget billing after living somewhere for a year.
Things To Do In a New Home #4: Get or update homeowner’s insurance
Check your homeowner’s insurance and make sure that the coverage fits your new home and needs. This is something that you should be checking every year or two to shop rates to make sure that you are getting the best rates possible. Set up a yearly reminder to call around to check rates.
Things To Do In a New Home #5: Check smoke detectors
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be checked twice a year regularly. This is another item to create a reminder to yourself because life will happen, and you will forget. Replace the batteries and make sure that everything is working properly. Choose 2 times a year, when the time changes is a common time that people will check them.
The actual detectors will wear out. I work in property management as my side job, and generally a good rule of thumb on these detectors is ten years. So, if you purchase a home that is older than ten years, you might preemptively just go ahead and replace the detectors as soon as possible.
Things To Do In a New Home #6: Deep clean
Deep clean the house before unpacking. This might involve cleaning the carpets, wiping out drawers and cabinets, and scrubbing your new bathrooms.
Speaking of bathrooms, this is gross, but you might consider snaking the drains in all sinks and tubs. Getting your own hair and gunk out is one thing, but getting other people’s out is grosser. So, get it over with now. Here is a handy little tool to do that with. And, be sure to have a plunger on hand for any future emergencies…
Things To Do In a New Home #7: Take inventory
Take photos of the appliance tags, HVAC info, and serial numbers so you have everything documented for your records. Set up a file in your phone for this information. Another great thing to do as you move in and get settled, would be to take a photo of each room, closet, and cabinet/drawer for a digital inventory of all your possessions.
Again, at my part-time job in property management, you would be surprised how this information could be helpful. If you have any type of fire or water damage, theft or other destruction of property, you can prove what you owned. It would be great to do this right off the bat, so that it is all organized and neat.
Things To Do In a New Home #8: Read home inspection report
Review the home inspection report if one was done. It’s full of helpful notes about when certain systems should be serviced or replaced.
An inspection report might tell you:
- Condition: The state of various components and systems in the home.
- Problems: Specific defects, wear & tear, or safety hazards within the home.
- Recommendations: Suggestions for repairs or further specialized inspections. (This is gold!)
Things To Do In a New Home #9: Create a maintenance calendar
Set up a maintenance calendar. Add reminders to your phone for things like gutter cleaning, filter changes, landscaping, dryer vent cleanings, and smoke detector batter replacements. Ask around for the best people to do these things if you don’t know how. Sometimes if you watch them do it once, you will know how to do it after that.
Check the furnace filter and replace it if needed. A clean filter helps your system run efficiently and keeps the air quality healthy. Some filters need to be replaced each month, while others last up to a year, so it’s worth checking the size and setting reminders.
Preventative maintenance now can save you thousands later.
Things To Do In a New Home #10: Change your address
Change your address. Update it with your financial institution, car insurance company, employer, cell phone carrier, health and/or life insurance, and any creditors. Don’t forget the USPS, and make sure to notify the DMV for a replacement driver’s license with your new address.
Things To Do In a New Home #11: Start an expected unexpected savings account
We all know that there will be unexpected expenses. The water heater will stop working. There might be a leak under a sink. There might be storm damage to the house or yard. The possibilities are endless. Set up an account for those unexpected expenses. We call ours “expected unexpected” expense account.
That way when something happens, there is hopefully a good amount built up to take care of the problem.
If there is a known expense coming up, then start putting money aside for that on its own, so that when it happens, the money is there, or at least some of it is. We have tried really hard to not go into debt for these type of events. We weren’t always successful, but being planful is always a good plan.
Things To Do In a New Home #12: Create a binder
Create a simple home binder or a folder on your phone to store manuals, warranties, and contractor info. I wish I had mine from my old house to show a picture. We have been in our house for about a year now, and I have a file of all sorts of things, but I have yet to set one up. It’s on my to-do list!
Things To Do In a New Home #13: Organize
Moving into a new home is the perfect time to get organized. Get plastic tubs for seasonal items, clothing that you wear during certain seasons, and other things that could and should be stored together. Label everything because you will forget where you put things you don’t often use.
Be brutal. Just because you moved with something doesn’t mean you have to keep it!
I hope that this answered your question, “What Things To Do In a New Home?”
This list contains the things our son’s realtor suggested for him to do, as well as a couple of other things we have learned on our own. Hopefully, this list will help you or someone you know as they go through this process.
Books that will help in this process
100 Things Every Homeowner Must Know
I’m a Homeowner, Now What? (A Logbook for Everything in Your Home)
How Your House Works: A Visual Guide to Understanding and Maintaining Your Home
12 Month Home Maintenance Book
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