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You’ve just unloaded the last box from the moving truck and the excitement of being in your new home is palpable, but what now? While you’ll no doubt want to kick your feet up and relax, it’s not over just yet, and there’s still a lot to do beyond unpacking. With some help from the experts, we’ve pulled together a checklist of the first things to do when you move into a new home.
Inspect your new space
You’ve likely already had a home inspection done during the sale process, but once you’re in your new home you should be doing your own inspection to make sure everything is in working order, says Matt Richling, REALTOR® and salesperson at New Purveyors in Ottawa, Ontario.
“Inspect the property thoroughly,” Richling stresses. “I often see new homeowners bring up issues days or weeks after closing day, which makes it much harder for the lawyers to argue if the damage happened before closing or after closing. Start outside, take a walk around the house, and inspect for any damages or issues that need to be addressed.
“Make sure you test all of the plugs, appliances, and lights, and don’t forget to check the floors, walls, and ceilings,” he adds.
If you’re in a house (as opposed to a condo), “familiarize yourself with the circuit breakers and shut off valves for water and gas,” Richling says. In the event of an emergency, knowing exactly where these are will save time and be crucial to limiting any damage. It’s also best practice to ensure all of the other occupants are aware of the locations too, in case you’re not home.
“I always suggest labeling everything so if there is a guest or family member they can also find them,” Richling says.
Don’t be afraid to hire a home inspector to conduct a post move-in walk-around, either.
Check your smoke detectors
Whether in a house or condo, checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be a high priority when you move into a new home.
“Generally speaking, the lifespan of a smoke detector is about seven or eight years,” says Ben Sweet, a REALTOR® and associate with Ben Sweet, Justin Becker & Associates in Calgary, Alberta. “If you’ve ever noticed smoke detectors are looking a little bit yellow in colour, that’s not an accident. Smoke detectors are made out of a type of plastic that will change colour over time, on purpose, and to tell you the smoke detector has expired and is requiring replacement.”
Sweet proposes clients “take an existing [smoke detector] to the hardware store and see if you can swap it out for the identical one. Doing this will make the reinstall very easy because you can leave the base attached and just replace the main part of the smoke detector.”
Securing your home
Once you’re in your new home, you want it to feel safe. Jessica Kee, a salesperson and REALTOR® from Toronto, Ontario, suggests considering simple tech upgrades, such as security systems and cameras, and perhaps keyless lock.
“Changing the locks is strongly encouraged,” she says.
Depending on the type of change or upgrade, “it’s a relatively small cost for a tremendous increase in security and safety,” adds Sweet. “Some of these [technologies] can get a little bit expensive, but can be worth it, and many of them come with smart locks where you can actually re-key the lock yourself with a very simple process.”
While it’s not necessarily a security measure, Kee also suggests upgrading to a smart thermostat, which not only conveniently controls the temperature in your home, it can help you save on heating and cooling your home.
Getting comfortable in your condo
Moving into a condo will usually require less maintenance than a freehold home. However, there are still things you can do to help settle into your new place.
“I’d encourage registering as a new homeowner with the building, as well as checking for online groups or the building intranet as that’s where you can find parking spaces for rent,” Kee adds. “Residents also post about the neighbourhood: things they’re selling, or general FYIs about the building.”
Actions to take in advance
“Getting your address changed immediately is super important,” says Sweet. “In fact you should do this well in advance. In some cases, it can take years for all of your mail to be properly moved over to your new address.”
“Consider leaving half a dozen large envelopes with extra stamps on them and your new address at your old property. By doing this, the new owners can forward mail every now and then, as your mail builds up,” says Sweet.
Sweet also recommends new homeowners give themselves sufficient time to get their home insurance set up well in advance. While most insurers won’t put insurance on a home more than 90 days out, it’s encouraged to use the 90-day window to get your home insurance organized.
Moving into a new home is overwhelming, no doubt, and it can be hard to know how to prioritize things. These are some starting points to help you feel at home in your new space. Don’t forget, your REALTOR® is there to help even after the deal closes! Reach out to them for support and ideas on what to focus on when moving in.
