Home Improvements To Do Before Moving In

If you are moving into a new house, you may need to make some improvements. After all, we all know that while home staging may increase a property's look, there may still be things that need to be fixed or improved. And the perfect time to take care of these issues is before moving in. There is no furniture in your way, and all of the rooms are empty, making it easier for you to design your new home. Therefore, we want to help you make a dream home out of your new property by giving you some ideas of home improvements to do before moving in. You can use these ideas to make your new house seem more like home, or to improve the home's resale value in case you ever decide to sell it.

Put safety first

Changing the locks is the first thing you should do before moving in. You never know who else has a spare key to your new home, and changing the locks removes any doubts. Therefore, contact a locksmith and have the locks changed throughout the property. Don’t forget about the garage and basement doors if there is exterior access to them. You can never be too careful. Also, as an extra precaution, you can install a security system. Having a house alarm and security cameras can make your family feel safer in their new home. 

Call a home inspector

A must-do before moving in is to schedule a home inspection. We strongly recommend it, especially if you did not do so before buying the home. If you hire a professional to inspect the whole property, you will know what problems you may be facing. They might find a lot of issues, or they might not find any, but it's better to know before starting to work on your new home. As a result, make sure to do a home check-up to prevent any unpleasant surprises.

Make the necessary repairs

If something has to be repaired or replaced, try to handle these issues before beginning any renovation. For instance, if there is a leaking faucet in the bathroom, fix it as quickly as possible. It can worsen during the remodeling, causing damage to other areas of the house. Also, double-check the house blueprints for plumbing and electrical circuits to ensure that you don't run into them when making home improvements. Hitting an electric wire when drilling a hole into a wall can be very dangerous. Not to mention that it can be hard to fix, so it can cost you a lot of time and money to mend it. 

Paint the walls

After you've secured your house and made all the necessary repairs, it's time to begin renovating. The simplest of the home improvements to do before moving in is to repaint the walls. There is no furniture to stand in your way, and you can paint in time so that the smell will disappear before you move in. You can either follow current painting trends or paint the walls white to keep things simple. Whatever you choose to do, a fresh coat of paint will be a welcome improvement to your new home.

Improve the flooring

The best time to improve the flooring in your new home is before moving in. If you bought a brand new house, there might not be a lot of repairs to be done. You might just need to fix some scratches or scuff marks. If you bought an older house, however, you might need to change the whole flooring. Changing broken tiles in the bathroom might be impossible, for example, if they are an older model. In addition, a wall-to-wall carpet with stains or furniture footprints is easier to replace than to clean. Plus, the flooring you find in the house might not be to your taste or design ideas. As a result, take advantage of the empty house and improve the flooring.

Childproof and pet-proof your new home

If you will be moving in with small children or pets, this is the best time to make your house safe for them. Cover all the outlets, install gates for the stairs, and put a guard over the fireplace. In addition, you can put up fences around the house and pool if needed and install fire detectors. Also, when you start bringing in the furniture, make sure to childproof it when putting it into place. Secure it to the walls and install doorknob covers on the cabinet doors and drawers. 

If you are planning a relocation from the neighboring state with kids or pets, make sure to hire a moving company. Interstate moving professionals can deal with all the heavy lifting while you ensure your new home is safe and sound for everyone.

Prepare your home for winter

Preparing for the cold season might be necessary if you are moving into an older house. Make sure to fix or replace the roof and isolate the walls. Check the heating system and replace any deteriorated filters. It's cheap, and you can do it yourself.

Deep clean your new home

After you've completed all of the necessary home improvements before moving in, it's time to clean your home. All the dust that might gather in the house is much harder to clean if it settles on the furniture and floors. Especially in the rooms that are used often, such as the kitchen and the bathroom. As an extra measure, clean the cabinets' shelves and drawers and install shelf liners. They will prolong the life of the cabinets and make it easier to keep them clean. Also, after you finish cleaning, disinfect all the surfaces and bathroom fixtures. You can never be too careful when it comes to your home's hygiene.

In conclusion

After buying a house, there are some home improvements to do before moving in. First, you should change the locks to your new home to make it safe for you and your family. Then you should call in a home inspector and fix or replace what isn't working. After that, you can make all the improvements that make your new place feel more like home. Painting the walls or changing the floors, for example, or preparing your home for winter. We hope that reading our article was helpful and that you will put these ideas to use in your new house.

Article Via Tanya Douglas with East Coast Haul. Image Via Pinterest.