The day for your big move is quickly approaching, and your life has been a whirlwind of filling out paperwork and packing your belongings. Now all you want to do is move into your new home so that you can finally enjoy the fruits of your labor. But before you unload your moving truck, take advantage of the empty rooms to thoroughly check and clean your new abode.
An empty house provides the opportunity to inspect the floors without furniture or rugs obstructing your view. You may discover some stains in the carpet that were covered up by the couch or scratches in the wood floor that were hidden by a runner. Now is the time to have your floors professional cleaned or refinished, or even completely replaced.
Bathrooms are a common breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Take this time to disinfect or replace surfaces such as showers, bath tubs, toilet seats and sinks. Small upgrades can also give your home a more personal touch and even boost the value of your house down the road - completing smaller projects like this before you move in will allow your bathroom to be up-and-running sooner.
One of the best ways to limit the number of biological pollutants in the air of your new home is to replace the air filter for the heating and cooling systems. This is especially important if the former owner had pets and if you or any family members have allergies.
The former homeowners may have been more casual about handing out their house keys or entry codes to pet sitters, relatives and neighbors. Changing the locks to all doors and the code for your garage can help ensure your safety and give you peace of mind.
If you won't be purchasing a new refrigerator, you'll want to spend extra time and attention cleaning this appliance since it can actually be one of the germiest places in your home. In addition to thoroughly cleaning the inside, be sure to check the drip pan as that's a prime area for mold. Cleaning the condenser coils before you move in is a great thing to check off your list since the refrigerator will need to be unplugged.
Working fire and carbon monoxide detectors are essential to ensuring the safety of you, your family and your new home. Replace all of the batteries in each detector before moving in, then make a note or mark your calendar to remind yourself when it's time to replace them again down the road. Additionally, now is the perfect time to purchase a fire extinguisher if you don't have one already.
Another item to check off the list before you move in is to touch base with your local independent insurance agent. They can do one last check to ensure you don't need to adjust your policy.
