pexels-photo-210463Buying a new home takes some doing, and it can be a very long, drawn-out process. After identifying the property of your dreams, negotiating with the owners, arranging for financing, selling your own home, and preparing for moving day, you’re ready to make the new property your own. However, moving in without doing some preparatory work is inadvisable and may complicate the process. It’s important to make sure everything is as it should be before unloading the moving truck and arranging the furniture, and that includes cleaning the place and seeing to the security of your new home. Here are a few necessities to check off your to-do list first.

Clean Top to Bottom

The previous owners may have given the place a good going over, but it might not be to your liking. It’s worth the time and effort to clean the house the way you want it. Pack cleaning supplies separately on moving day, and keep them handy for easy access. Go room by room rather than moving around unsystematically, which wastes time.

Make sure to clean behind appliances and especially around the toilet and bathroom sink, where grime, mold, and mildew can build up. If you’re not into that level of cleaning, consider hiring a service to take care of the more unpleasant areas, and if your new home is carpeted, it may be worthwhile to have it professionally steam cleaned before you start moving in all of your belongings.

When it comes to cleaning supplies, save money by making your own cleaners out of household items like baking soda and vinegar. If you still need to buy supplies, peruse weekly ads first. Not only can you purchase online and opt for easy drive up pickup, but you can also apply Target promo codes to get extra savings if you hit the big box store.

Clean air ducts and use exhaust fans in bathrooms and the kitchen. Be sure to replace (an inexpensive improvement) or clean the HVAC filter upon moving in since there’s no way of knowing when it was last done. If your home’s previous owners left behind the taint of tobacco smoke or spicy cooking, use essential oil diffusers throughout the house. To help improve air quality and remove allergens and other indoor pollutants, consider using an air purifier with a HEPA filter.

Give It a Walk-Through

There are probably a few details that are conditions of your ownership and should be checked off before you begin moving. Having a walk-through allows you to be certain that everything agreed upon in the sale is accounted for. In other words, if the refrigerator and oven were to remain with you it’s probably a good idea to make sure they’re in place and functioning properly and that there’s no sign of a gas leak. By the same token, it’s important to ensure that nothing’s been left behind that shouldn’t be there, and that includes a mess for which the previous owners are responsible.

Don’t Forget the Locks

You never know how many keys the previous owner handed out. Hiring a locksmith to have the locks changed right away is not paranoia -- it’s paying careful attention to detail. Just bear in mind that you’ll save a considerable amount of money if you schedule the change during normal working hours. Check out sites like Thumbtack to find a professional locksmith in your budget.

Cleaning a house you’ve looked forward to living in for months probably isn’t the beginning you had in mind. However, it’s important to ensure you’re getting off to a fresh, clean start. With a little planning and attention to detail, you can begin your life in a new home that can be cleaned cost-effectively and thoroughly.

Rob Woods

Rob Woods

Rob is a dad living in Philadelphia. He enjoys DIY projects almost as much as raising his two children. He is the co-creator of FixItDads.com, which offers tips for home improvement projects.