Finally, you’ve bought your new home. The next step is to move and make your place functional once you get settled in. Since moving can be an exhausting and overwhelming experience, preparing a checklist of things you need to do after the relocation can streamline the entire process. Breakdown your tasks into smaller parts and enjoy a fresh start in your new home.

Here are a few first things you should do after buying and moving to your new house.

Although most homes may look clean and pretty, you still can’t be sure until you have it cleaned by yourself. Before you move your stuff to your new home, it’s a good idea to do a deep cleaning. Whether you’re hiring professional cleaning services, or planning a DIY cleaning, getting your new home cleaned can make moving much more manageable and smoother.

It’s essential to turn on the utilities after buying and moving to a new house. Make sure to notify the utility companies about the installation of electricity, water, gas, and cable connection. That way, you’ll have power and other utilities running when the sun starts to set after a long tiring day of unpacking.

Unless you work with professional movers for unpacking, be sure to stay organized as you unpack. Go through your moving boxes carefully and try to unpack first what’s necessary. It’d be a great idea for you not just to label your moving boxes but also rate them in terms of their priority to unpack. For example, you can tackle the kitchen first since you have many items to organize like kitchen wares, cooking pots, dining wares, and many more. Then, it can be followed by unpacking your bedroom essentials and last but not least, your living room. Remember, staying organized as you unpack can give you more time to arrange your belongings instead of tossing them randomly into the closets and cupboards. Also, unpack towels, toiletries, bed linens, and other essentials first, so you have some things to use over the next few days.

You need to replace the locks of your new home unless you’re building a brand new one for yourself. When you buy a house from the real estate market, you should have your locks changed for security reasons. You may have no idea how many people have keys to your new house. After moving, make a real effort to call a locksmith to change the locks for you. Doing so can ensure your safety and that of your belongings.

Of course, you don’t want yourself and your possessions to be on display outside of your new home. Hence, it’s a good idea to install window treatments for your property and your own protection. After all, adding window treatments can improve the aesthetic value of your new home. If you want to come up with some elegant designs, hiring an interior designer can make the process faster and more convenient.

Setting up a security system can be crucial after buying and moving to your new home. It protects your property against theft and more importantly, gives you some peace of mind. So, call companies that install security systems. Be sure to select an efficient system that allows you to set the alarm when you’re inside your new home. Also, create strong security codes for you and your guests.

In addition to cleaning, pest-proofing your newly-bought house can be a perfect idea. Contact a pest control service and ask a professional exterminator to spray or set off a bug bomb. Although you don’t see any bugs, it’s best to do spraying or bug bombing before you unpack all of your stuff. That way, you can keep your children or pets away from the exposure to some toxic chemicals.

It’s always a nice feeling to get out and be friends with your neighbors. Get to know them and get inside info about your new place. Besides, your neighbors may recommend some restaurants to eat from, landscape companies to contact, and many more. They surely have lots of information about the community that you should know.

Buying and moving to a new home can be a metamorphic experience you can ever have in your life. It’s the time where you can look forward to new beginnings and make new memories in another place. However, the transition continues up until you move in with the help of long distance moving companies. Therefore, follow the tips mentioned in this article to make buying and moving home both a convenient and stress-free process.