When buying a house in the United States, there will be an important transition period from getting the keys to the formal move-in. During the period, you need to deal with many matters such as safety inspection, lock replacement, water and electricity transfer and so on. Today, we have made a detailed list of moving into a new home, hoping to help you with a smooth transition, and happy to move into your new home!

Safety inspection is a top priority

1. Check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

  Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are items that should be inspected before moving in every house. Both devices are equipped with test buttons. Be sure to test them according to the instructions before moving in. If they are not normal, they should be replaced immediately.

2. Change lock

  After buying a house, all exterior locks of the house should be replaced as soon as possible. Even a new house has to be changed, because in the process of selling the house, the key to the house may be passed by many people. So make sure you and your family are the only ones holding the keys, and the sooner you change the lock, the better.

3. Check and clean the HVAC system

  The heating and cooling system of HVAC is very complicated. If it does not work normally, you should ask a professional to come to repair it. If the air conditioning system is operating normally, you should also replace the filter plate on the device. In fact, the filter plate is best to be replaced every one to three months, so that the effect of purifying the indoor air is better. You should also flush the outdoor unit of the air conditioner with a hose to remove any dust, pollen or leaves, and prepare for the heavy load operation of the machine in winter and summer.

4. Reset the water heater

  If you have conducted a professional house inspection before buying a house, you will know the age of the water heater and when it was last repaired. Remember to drain the remaining water in the water tank and restart the water heater before moving in to make sure everything is in order. In addition, resetting the water temperature and pressure may save you water and electricity bills.

5. Check the fireplace

A fireplace with a beating flame can add a lot of warmth and festive atmosphere to the home in winter. However, if the fireplace is not properly maintained, it may cause a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Therefore, professionals must be hired to inspect the fireplace to ensure its safety. Fireplace maintenance professionals will clean the fireplace and check the gaskets, covers, and baffles to ensure that the air is flowing properly and that no animals can enter the chimney.

6. Prevent pests

  Insect pests cannot be ignored, because they affect the living environment at least and damage the structure of the house. If you are worried about related problems, you can also hire professionals to inspect known and potential pest sites, and set traps, spray lawns, and seal holes in external walls or foundations according to your area and season.

7. Locate the water and electricity shut-off device and circuit breaker

  In order to cut off the switch quickly in an emergency, you should familiarize yourself with the exact location of the circuit breaker and the wiring controlled by each switch before you move in. In addition, any house may leak or even overflow, so the location of the main sluice must be found in advance to cut off the water source in an emergency.

8. Create maintenance checklist

  In addition to the necessary inspection items mentioned above, some other suggested maintenance items may also be cited in the house inspection report received before the house transaction. The items in this report can be used as the basis for the first maintenance and repair of the house, and then a list of future maintenance and repairs can be drawn up.

Important documents, bills and dates must be cleared one by one

9. Save and backup transaction files

  When handing over the house, you will receive and sign a large number of documents, most of which are agreements and documents that you have signed with real estate agents, banks, escrow companies, etc. These documents are important records of mortgages, contracts, and house ownership. Please back them up and keep them safe.

10. Water and electricity transfer

  The transfer of water and electricity must be done before moving in, otherwise you may have a life without water or electricity for a few days after moving. In addition, gas, Internet, and garbage disposal should also be transferred or opened in advance. One day before officially moving into the new house, you should go to the new house to check whether all the living infrastructure is fully opened.

11. Change home address

  Change the home address on documents such as driver's license, car insurance, credit card payment, subscription, employment information, etc. In fact, it is not troublesome to change the address. You only need to go to the USPS website to change it. At this time, all mail sent to your old house will automatically be sent to your new address. The addresses of other financial accounts or licenses can be modified online.

12. Add important phone numbers to the address book

  The phone numbers of surrounding police stations, water and electricity network gas companies, animal control centers, and new home insurance providers should be saved in the phone address book for emergency needs. In addition, it is also necessary to add the phone numbers of plumbers and locksmiths to the address book to facilitate quick response to emergencies.

13. Understand the garbage disposal rules

  Learn about garbage disposal rules from the community and neighbors as soon as possible. Some communities process household garbage and recyclable garbage at the same time every week, and some dispose of these two kinds of garbage on different days. Some communities deal with it once a week, while others do it less frequently.

Renovate and refurbish, dress up your home

14. Paint home

  If you have plans to refurbish the indoor and outdoor walls of your home, you must do it before moving, so that you can avoid staining the furniture when you paint. A new layer of paint, no matter the color, will help protect the siding. Sometimes changing the wall color can also make the house feel completely new.

15. Replacement parts

  Accessories such as electric panels, door handles, decorative parts and lamps are not difficult to replace, and it does not cost too much to do it yourself. You can buy all the new accessories you need in one stop and get it all at once!

16. Take measurements

  Measure and record the dimensions of walls, corners, and corridors in your home, and save them on your mobile phone so that you can use these accurate dimensions when buying furniture.

17. Renovation

  If you plan to renovate and renovate floors, kitchens or bathrooms, you should also plan early. In order to better plan ahead and save costs, you can consider negotiating with various contractors immediately after getting the keys, find a suitable professional team, develop a renovation schedule, and proceed as planned.

  After reading this detailed list of moving into a new home, you must know it! Then arrange all matters in an orderly manner and move into your new home properly!