Moving into a new home is exciting, overwhelming, and a little chaotic all at once. Before you arrange furniture and hang pictures, a handful of essential tasks should happen in the first week. Getting these right sets the foundation for everything else.
Change All the Locks First
This is the single most important thing to do before you unpack. Previous owners, tenants, real estate agents, and contractors may all have copies of the keys. Rekeying is inexpensive and takes less than an hour per door. If the locks are old or flimsy, replace them entirely with quality deadbolts. Do not skip this step regardless of how much you trust the previous residents.
Test Every Smoke and CO Detector
Walk through the home and press the test button on every smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. If any fail to respond, replace them immediately. Check the manufacture date on the back of each unit. Any detector older than 10 years should be replaced right away. Add units anywhere coverage is incomplete.
Locate Your Emergency Shutoffs
Before anything goes wrong, find these three things: the main water shutoff valve, the electrical panel with labeled breakers, and the gas shutoff outside near the meter. Take photos and save them in your phone. Label anything that is not clearly marked.
Get to Know Your HVAC and Water Heater
Find your furnace and air handler, note the filter size, and replace the filter immediately. A dirty filter from prior occupants can damage your system and hurt air quality. Set the water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Note equipment ages so you know what maintenance is coming.
Walk the Entire Property
Do a thorough walkthrough inside and out. Look for cracks in the foundation, water stains on drywall, evidence of pest activity, gutters that are clogged or pulling away, and any deferred maintenance from the inspection. This baseline walk helps you prioritize your to-do list going forward.
Set Up Basic Security
Beyond the lock change, add a video doorbell, motion lights around the exterior, and a security system if the home does not already have one. Even simple, affordable devices make a meaningful difference in how secure you feel from day one.
Let HerHaven Help You Settle In
Moving is already a lot. HerHaven Home Services can tackle your first-week to-do list so you can focus on getting settled. We handle lock changes, detector installation, furniture assembly, mounting, and all the small repairs that come up in a new home. Woman-owned and serving the Kansas City Metro. Call (913) 600-1187 or visit herhavenhomeservices.com.