10 Things to Do Before Unpacking in Your New Home

You finally have the keys. The house is yours. And the boxes are waiting. Before you start unpacking, pause for a moment. 

The first few hours in a new home are a valuable opportunity to secure the house, locate important systems and emergency shutoffs, confirm utilities, test safety equipment and take care of a few things that become much harder once the furniture arrives.

Because buying a home isn't just about getting the keys. It's about becoming responsible for everything behind the front door.

1. Locate Your Home's Major Systems and Shutoffs

Don't wait for a plumbing leak or another emergency to discover where your home's shutoffs are.

Locate:

• The main water shutoff
• The electrical panel and main breaker
• The gas shutoff, if your home has natural gas
• The water heater
• The HVAC system

If you're not sure how something works, ask your home inspector or a qualified professional to show you.

Knowing where these systems are and how to shut them off could save you valuable time when you need it most.

2. Make Sure Your Utilities Are Set Up

Confirm that electricity, water, gas, internet and trash service are active and in your name.

This sounds obvious, but moving day is not the time to discover that the electricity hasn't been transferred or that you aren't sure who provides your water or trash service.

If your home has a well, septic system, propane or another private utility, take the time to understand how it works and who services it.

3. Change or Re-Key the Locks

You don't know how many copies of your home's keys are still out there.

The previous owners may have given keys to family members, neighbors, housekeepers, contractors or others over the years.

Re-keying or replacing the exterior door locks is a simple way to know exactly who has access to your home.

And don't forget garage doors, exterior gates and electronic entry codes. If the home has smart locks, cameras, thermostats or other connected devices, make sure the previous owner's access has been removed and reset the accounts and passwords.

4. Test Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Walk through the house and test every smoke and carbon monoxide detector.

Replace batteries if necessary and determine how old the detectors are. If they are approaching the end of their useful life, consider replacing them.

It's a small task, but it's one that can provide a lot of peace of mind.

5. Clean Before the Furniture Arrives

With empty rooms, you can easily:

• Clean inside cabinets and drawers
• Deep-clean floors and carpets
• Wash baseboards
• Clean windows
• Clean appliances
• Reach areas that will soon be hidden behind furniture

Even a basic deep clean is much easier before the furniture and boxes take over.

6. Replace Your HVAC Filters

You probably don't know when the previous homeowner last replaced the filters.

Put fresh filters in and make a note of the size and type your system uses. Then put filter replacement on your calendar.

It's an easy first step toward establishing a regular maintenance routine for your home's heating and cooling system.

7. Take Care of the Little Repairs

An empty house also makes minor repairs much easier.

Fill nail holes. Touch up paint. Tighten loose cabinet hardware. Fix a door that doesn't close properly. Replace a worn switch plate.

8. Photograph Your Home and Major Systems

Before everything is unpacked, take some photographs of the house.

Document the condition of floors, walls, ceilings, appliances and major systems, and consider photographing your utility meter readings on move-in day.

Keep the photographs with your home records.

Over time, they give you a useful baseline for understanding how your home changes and can be helpful when maintaining or replacing major components.

9. Start a Home Maintenance File

This is one of the most valuable habits you can establish as a new homeowner.

Create a place to keep:

• Your home inspection report
• Appliance manuals and warranties
• Receipts for improvements and repairs
• Contractor information
• Paint colors and finishes
• Roof, HVAC and water-heater information
• Permits and other important property records

Then create a simple maintenance calendar. Your home is a major financial asset. It deserves a system for taking care of it.

10. Start a Home Maintenance Reserve

One of the biggest surprises for new homeowners is that the monthly mortgage payment isn't the full cost of owning a home.

Roofs eventually need attention. Water heaters fail. HVAC systems wear out. Appliances need replacing. Exterior paint doesn't last forever.

Some expenses are predictable. Others aren't.

That's why we recommend establishing a separate home maintenance reserve—a fund specifically set aside for maintaining and repairing your home.

The amount will vary depending on the age, size and condition of the property. The important thing is to start.

Think of home maintenance as a cost of ownership, not an unexpected expense.

The Boxes Can Wait

There will be plenty of time to unpack.

Before you do, spend a few hours getting to know the home you've just purchased. Know where the water shuts off. Understand the major systems. Take care of the small projects that are easier while the rooms are empty. And start planning for the maintenance that comes with homeownership.

These aren't particularly exciting parts of buying a home. But they are part of becoming a homeowner.

A home is one of the most significant investments most of us will ever make. Taking care of it helps protect that investment, and helps you make the most of the place you call home.

That's also why we believe our role as real estate advisors doesn't end when the keys change hands. Helping our clients make good real estate decisions includes helping them think about what comes next.

The boxes can wait. Your new home deserves a good beginning.