You Bought a Home—Now What? 8 Things to Do Before Moving In
Congratulations! You’ve found your dream home, the paperwork is signed, inspections are done, financing is in place, and your closing date is set. It’s an exciting time—but it can also feel a little overwhelming.
To help ease the transition, here’s a checklist of 8 essential things to do before moving in. Trust us, a little preparation now will save you a ton of stress later!
1. 
Set Up Utilities Ahead of Time
Nobody wants to arrive at their new home and realize there’s no power or water. Avoid that chaos by calling your utility providers (electric, water, sewer, trash, etc.) and scheduling service transfers for your closing day.
Pro Tip: You’ll likely need to fill out an application and possibly pay a deposit. And don’t forget internet and cable—those appointments book fast!
A professional real estate agent will also ensure a Municipal Lien Search (MLS) is done before closing. This helps verify that utilities are paid up and can flag things like open permits, code violations, or special assessments.
2. 
Knock Out Repairs Identified in the Inspection
If your home inspection uncovered any needed repairs—especially major systems like plumbing, electrical, or the roof—take care of those before moving in. It’s a lot easier to handle big projects when the house is still empty.
Even if the seller handled some repairs, check your contract for anything that still needs to be done post-closing.
3. 
Deep Clean Every Corner
Sure, the sellers might have cleaned—but a deep clean is always a good idea.
Whether you DIY or hire a professional, focus on:
Inside cabinets and closets
Floors (especially under appliances)
Bathrooms and kitchens
Air vents and baseboards
Bonus: Swap out the toilet seats for a fresh, clean start. And if there’s carpet, bring in a pro for a deep steam clean.
4. 
Add Storage or Custom Features Before the Boxes Arrive
Thinking about adding extra shelving, built-in storage, or upgrading your pantry? Do it before the move-in.
Not only will it be less disruptive, but it also means you can unpack right into your new, organized space without dealing with construction delays.
This applies to new builds too—if the builder didn’t include all your desired features, now’s the time to customize.
5. 
Paint While the House Is Empty
Planning to repaint walls or update accent colors? Get it done before your furniture and boxes are in the way.
Painters will thank you, and you’ll avoid dealing with paint fumes or drop cloths while trying to settle in. Just make sure all construction or storage updates are finished first.
6. 
Schedule Pest Control
Even if there’s no known pest issue, having an exterminator treat the home and yard before move-in is smart.
If you have pets or kids, it’s much easier to apply treatments and let them work before anyone is living there full-time.
7. 
Reset Garage Codes
Even if the garage opener works fine, go ahead and change the keypad code. You never know who the previous owners shared it with—contractors, neighbors, house sitters, etc.
New home? Still reset it. Most openers come with a default manufacturer code that should be changed for security.
8. 
Change the Locks
This is a big one. Always change your exterior locks before moving in.
During the sale process, keys often change hands between real estate agents, inspectors, and contractors. Plus, former owners may have given spare keys to friends or neighbors.
Play it safe: have a locksmith come out and rekey all entry doors once the house is officially yours.
Ready to Move?
Don’t forget to download our full Moving Checklist to help you stay on track while packing up your current home and preparing for the big move.
Contact Gulf Life Real Estate today. We’ll connect you with an experienced professional who can guide you through inspections, negotiations, and everything in between.
