Your Move-In Check List

So, you’ve just landed your dream home. You’ve packed and labeled boxes, booked a moving truck, and paid your friends in pizza and beer to help load (and unload) said moving truck. You’re surrounded by boxes and packing paper, dolleys and furniture pads. Now what? Before you start unpacking, consider a few things to do right after you move in. 

Take Photos

Everyone loves a good before and after and you’ll likely be so exhausted that the thought might not have crossed your mind. Granted, this is also a good way to document any damages that may have occurred between your final walk-through and receiving the keys, but it’s also a great way to remember the whole experience. 

Check for Broken Items 

This is especially important if you hired movers. If you moved yourself and broke your own stuff, well, then that’s just a lesson learned. But if you paid other people, you may be entitled to compensation. This counts for big appliances, too. If you had your stove or refrigerator moved, plug them in and check that they work first thing. Make sure they still function and if they don’t, review your moving contract to determine liability coverage.

Figure Out Trash Day

Moving always produces waste, even the recyclable or compostable kind. You’re still going to have piles of things to get rid of. Contact your homeowners association or neighborhood page to determine what day of the week your trash gets picked up, whether you’re provided a receptacle or have to purchase your own, and where pickup happens. Don’t have an online page? Go knock on your new neighbor’s door. Not only will you gain important info, but maybe you’ll make a new friend!

Change the Locks 

We don’t want to ever assume ill intent from people, but we live in a weird world. Beyond taking photos or unpacking boxes, the very first thing you should do once you move in is… change the locks. You never know who over the years has been given a key to the home so the safest thing to do is change the locks right away. 

For more move-in day tips, check out Realtor.com.