You’ve just got all the boxes, furniture, and appliances moved into your new home, and you’re excited to unpack everything and put it in its place so you can make it “feel” like your own. Maybe you’ve eaten takeout food on the floor after a hard day’s work. Before you delve into those boxes and start hanging decor on the walls, there are some important things you should take care of!
First, take pictures of those empty rooms. Why? In some cases, it may be a substantial amount of time between the time the home was inspected and the date you move in. Damage may have occurred, or movers may have left a scratch on those beautiful wood floors or on a countertop. Take lots of photos to support any claim you may have.
Find out when trash pickup day is, and where to leave it. If you’ve ever moved before, you know there will be a seemingly insurmountable amount of trash, from cardboard boxes and protective wrapping to regular household trash. Ask a neighbor or call the homeowners association so you know where and when to put the trash out.
Have the locks changed. It is shocking to know that many new homeowners never think about this – but who else besides the previous owner may have had a key? A neighbor, trusted friend, perhaps even the owners prior to those owners. Changing the locks is one of the most important things you can do to ensure the safety of your family and your belongings.
If you need to paint, do it before the bulky furniture and appliances are moved in. Most people don’t enjoy painting, but it’s a lot easier when you don’t have to work around big and bulky obstructions. Put out the drop cloth, and get to work. The sooner you do, the sooner you’ll be able to arrange your home and realize its true beauty!
If you’ve moved in from out of state, register your car. This is the last thing on your mind, right? If you’ve moved to Texas from another state, you have about 60 days to register your vehicle. Also don’t forget to get a new driver’s license as soon as possible!
These are a few of the things you’ll want to do before you start unpacking those boxes and getting excited about how everything will look, as you’re more likely to forget once you start digging in. You may also want to check your credit report to ensure it hasn’t been compromised, and update your voting address.
At Team Nelson, our DFW real estate agents believe in being as helpful as we can to those who buy or sell a home through us. We’re truly the team you can count on!