7 Things You Should Do After Moving in to a New Home

Moving is an emotional experience. It’s difficult to say goodbye to your old life and embrace a new one.

However, sometimes you have no choice but to move, especially when you can live in a city like Portage, Michigan. This is a quaint town that has highly-rated public schools and affordable housing, with the median rent being just around $949. But don’t get comfortable yet.

Moving is only the first part of your big shift; the second step is preparing the house so you can comfortably live there. So, as you prepare for this new chapter of your life, here’s what you need to do:

1. Figure Out What Needs Renovating

When you move into a new house, the first thing you need to do is fix up your home. If your house was previously owned by someone else, there may be areas that you need to get renovated. Hence, it would help if you surveyed your home first.

Make a list of everything that needs fixing and get quotes on how much it will cost. In some cases, the previous tenants may agree to pay for your renovations, but you need to discuss it with them first.

Once you know what needs a touch-up, get to work. For instance, a bathroom remodeling costs about $18,000 to $30,000 for a mid-range model, but if you have a primary bathroom, it may cost you about $50,000.

To get an accurate picture, you could consult a professional about Bathroom remodels in Portage, and depending on the extent of the work you need to do, you’ll get a quote. Getting your house fixed before you move in is smart, as once you settle in, redoing your home would be a significant hassle.

2. Deep Clean Your House

You should dedicate some time to cleaning your house from top to bottom. No matter how shiny your home looks, it’s best to sweep it before you place your belongings around. You’ll need to vacuum, mop, and polish the floors, ensuring they sparkle and are dust-free. Your windows will also need cleaning, and if you’re wiping them down, check for cracks and damages. Extend your attention toward your fridge, too.

Clean the lighting fixtures, ceilings, and tops of the cabinets. If a refrigerator is installed, you may want to clean it deep and ensure it is in working order before stocking it up. Your last stop should be your bathroom.

You’ll need to disinfect every surface and use an antibacterial spray to eliminate lingering pathogens. Additionally, you should replace your toilet seats instead of reusing old ones.

3. Plan How You Will Arrange Your House

Once you get all your moving boxes, start planning the arrangement of your house. When you have a plan, it’s much easier to go through your things. If your current home is smaller than your older place, then you may need to get extra storage.

Likewise, think about how you want to decorate your house, what aesthetics appeal to you, and what items you need to make your house look enticing. If you’re not happy with the way your house looks, you can always redo it, but try to set it up once and gauge if you like the way you decorated it.

4. Set Up Your Utilities

You will need running water, electricity, and gas when you move into your new house. If the company whose services you availed previously offers their services in your new city, all you need to do is transfer the arrangement and set up a new billing.

However, if you wish to start from scratch, you should consider what utility companies are popular in your area and subscribe to their services.

5. Change Your Locks

You should change the locks of your new home. Even if you’re not worried that the previous owner may break in, it is good practice to get new locks. While you can change the lock yourself, you can hire a locksmith to do it for you.

If you wish to take it a step further, you should invest in a doorway security camera and a smart lock. This type of lock uses WIFI and connects itself to your phone, allowing you to see who’s at your door even if you’re physically not at home.

6. Get To Know Your Neighbors

Who wants to start their new life isolated and alone? When you move into a new neighborhood, why not get to know your neighbors? As humans, we need a community and social bonds; therefore, take this chance to form new friendships.

Meeting your neighbors right after you move in can make the shifting process easier for you. Your neighbors can help you move in, recommend what the best restaurants are, and give you advice about living in this part of town.

If you’re unsure how to meet your neighbors, try to host a housewarming party. This is an easy way to meet everyone instead of individually going to everyone’s house.

7. Explore Your New City

Familiarizing yourself with your new city can help you settle down. You may already feel intimidated by your new surroundings, so you should ease the process by getting to know your new place. Applications like Google Maps can assist you with this task.

Start by learning where the nearest schools, hospitals, grocery stores, and restaurants are. You should also calculate how long it takes to get to these locations by foot and car. Try to read online blogs and learn what areas are popular among the locals.

Visit these places with your family so they can also get an idea about where they’re living and settle in their new house.

Final Thoughts

Moving into a new house can be an exciting yet anxiety-inducing process. What makes this process challenging is the amount of work you must do to make your home habitable. This includes cleaning, fixing, and renovating parts of your house that need a fresh touch.

On the other hand, you should also give yourself time to get used to your new neighborhood, meet new people, and explore the city. These factors collectively will make it easier for you to settle down.