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New House Checklist: What to Do Before Moving In

Dusty Rhodes • February 14, 2022

After all the paperwork, long nights, and the back and forth with your real estate agent – you did it, you have the keys to your new home. So what’s next? You may have the urge to start making your house a home, but before you jump into it, there are a few important things to consider on your new house checklist. From scheduling cleaners and coordinating movers to researching home improvement projects, there are many things to do before moving into your new house.


This is where a new house checklist comes in. We created a checklist that outlines what tasks to complete, when you should complete them, and what essentials you need. So whether you are moving into a new house in Phoenix, AZ, or need a new house checklist in Portland, OR, read on to see what to consider.


New house checklist

  1. Transfer utilities before closing
  2. Schedule movers
  3. Update your mailing address
  4. Set up internet, cable, and appliances
  5. Consider the layout of your new home
  6. Locate the circuit breaker and water valve
  7. Change locks and home security
  8. Deep clean each room
  9. Assess home improvements to tackle
  10. Stock each room with essentials
  11. Create and organization system


1) Transfer utilities before closing

The first priority for your new house is to change the utilities to your name. Doing this will guarantee that electricity, garbage, water, and gas are up and running by the time you open the door. When exactly should you cross this item off your to-do list? You should contact your utility companies at least two weeks before your move-in date. It takes a few weeks for accounts to switch over depending on the city so it is good to get this handled before you move. Once the account is in your name, you will have one less thing to worry about during your move.


2) Schedule movers 

Having an extra hand when it comes to moving will take the weight off your shoulders and allow you to relax. Scheduling movers from a reputable company will guarantee your furnishings are handled with care and will also help with loading items into your home. 


3) Update your mailing address

Having an up-to-date mailing address is very important. You’ll want to notify the right people and places about your move and it’s better to do this earlier rather than later. You don’t want to miss a bill payment because the notice was sent to your old address. Here’s a list of the top people you’ll want to give a heads up about your move:

  • the post office
  • tax agencies
  • utility companies
  • insurance providers
  • your employer
  • your bank
  • credit card companies
  • loan providers
  • online shopping sites

Also, don’t forget to give your new address to friends and family so they can help you unpack and congratulate you on your new home.


4) Set up internet, cable, and appliances

Setting up internet and cable may be one of the first things you’ll want to do in your new home, especially if you’re working from home. Research different companies and consider plans that work with your lifestyle and have a strong connection in your area. Since creating a new account can take some time, try to schedule an installation a few weeks in advance of when you need it. It is also a good idea to confirm all your appliances are up and running in your new home. Including refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, washers, and dryers. You’ll likely start using your fridge and microwave on the first night.


5) Consider the layout of your new home and research new furniture you may need

Before the furnishings are brought to your new home, it is important to go room by room and visualize how your existing furniture will work with the layout. Maybe your new home includes a bonus room, a garage, or even a larger outdoor space. Knowing how the different layouts your new home provides will help you get a feel of what you may need. If you are moving with children, establish necessary precautions for their safety. This includes locating outlets, sharp edges, and anything around that could cause them harm. If you are moving with pets, make sure to get right back to their routines as this will help your pet adapt to their new surroundings. 


6) Locate the circuit breaker and water valve 

In case of an emergency, you’ll want to know where the circuit breaker and water valve are located. Knowing where these two things are in your home will help in any situations where an emergency shut off or a reset is needed. You can typically find the water valve in the basement or crawl space, the garage, or on an exterior wall. As for the circuit breaker, it is generally in an area of your home that is tucked away such as a closet, basement, or garage. Also, take note of all the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors so you can keep up with the required maintenance.


7) Change locks and invest in home security 

When you move into a new home, it’s important to change the locks to the doors, garage, and invest in home security. There is no telling how many copies of the keys are out there, so it’s always better to get new ones. Changing the locks doesn’t have to be difficult. Reinstall the locks on your own or seek professional guidance from a locksmith to ensure you are kept safe. Protect your home even more by investing in home security. Whether that’s with a professional company or a smart doorbell, there are many options to help you stay safe.


8) Deep clean each room 

One thing to consider is deep cleaning each room of your new home. To ensure that no parts of the home are overlooked, scheduling professional cleaning companies can relieve the stress. And if that’s not in your budget, a little elbow grease can go a long way. Deep cleaning will ensure a clean slate for your new home.

9) Assess home improvements to tackle 

Of course not every home is perfect, and when you were touring, you may have considered a number of potential home improvement projects. From replacing your floors to new cabinetry, the possibilities are endless when designing your dream home. Depending on the size of the project, it is essential that you take time to budget before any surprises arise, and set time aside for the completion of any remodels. 


10) Stock each room with essentials

You likely won’t unpack every box by the first night of move-in, so you’ll want to pack a box of essentials for each room while you are making the transition. Go room by room and see what you may need within the first week of moving into a new house. To get you thinking, consider:

  • For the bathroom: Towels, toilet paper, toiletries, shower curtain, toilet cleaner, plunger
  • For the kitchen: Easy meals, trash bags, dish soap, dishcloths, glassware, cookware, utensils, coffee maker
  • For the laundry room: Detergent, hamper, ironing board, iron
  • For the bedroom: Bedding, hangers, pillows, blankets, a week’s worth of clothes
  • Other essentials: Light bulbs, batteries, tape, nails, trash cans, cleaning supplies, lighters, flashlights, and phone chargers


11) Create an organization system

With all of your belongings packed away in various boxes and locations, there is no denying that your new home is about to get messy. Creating an organization system will help you unpack each room one by one. You probably – and hopefully – have already labeled your boxes and placed them in corresponding rooms, but consider having a notepad of what boxes and items belong in each room to keep inventory. Having a new house checklist will help the unpacking process flow more smoothly.


Preparing yourself for a new home can go a long way, and with this new house checklist, you’ll be one step closer to making your new house a home.

Source: Redfin Blog


Dusty Rhodes Properties is the Best Realtor in Myrtle Beach! We do everything in our power to help you find the home of your dreams. With experience, expertise, and passion, we are the perfect partner for you in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We love what we do and it shows. With more than 22 years of experience in the field, we know our industry like the back of our hands. There’s no challenge too big or too small, and we dedicate our utmost energy to every project we take on. We search thousands of the active and new listings from Aynor, Carolina Forest, Conway, Garden City Beach, Longs, Loris, Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, and Surfside Beach real estate listings to find the hottest deals just for you!

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Myrtle Beach OKs extension for halting new long-term rentals near ocean

By Dusty Rhodes • November 18, 2024
Myrtle Beach City Council on Tuesday approved first reading to extend the temporary moratorium established in the spring that halted converting short-term rentals into long-term ones. The original ordinance passed first reading on April 9 and second reading on May 14. It imposed a 270-day halt on “acceptance, review and approval of applications to convert multi-family short-term rental properties to multi-family long-term rental properties within an area spanning from the east or seaward side of Ocean Boulevard to Kings Highway, and from Grand Dunes Boulevard to the point where Ocean Boulevard and Kings Highway intersect near the south city limits,” the ordinance reads. The 270-day halt was set to expire in January, according to the ordinance. The extension adds another 60 days to the moratorium. The council also approved a motion to declare certain vehicles abandoned or derelict in an effort to improve the appearance of both commercial and residential neighborhoods. “This report includes vehicles staff tagged as abandoned or derelict. Council’s approval allows these vehicles to be towed from their private property locations to a tow yard where they may be reclaimed by the current owner upon payment of the applicable towing and storage fees,” the motion reads. “If the vehicles are not claimed by the owner within 30 days of the required notice, then the tow company may sell the vehicle and keep the proceeds as compensation.” All four items on the consent agenda passed, including three grants of $110,262, $84,825 and $300,000. The $110,262 grant comes from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety and is for continuation of Myrtle Beach police’s Project Safe Neighborhoods program. According to the motion, the funds will be used “to support the full-time NIBIN detective dedicated to the acquisition, correlation, analysis, investigation, and prosecution of gun and gun-related crimes.” The $84,825 grant comes from the South Carolina Attorney General for the Violence Against Women Act. Those funds will be used “to support the hiring of a Police Victim Advocate dedicated to immediately responding to the safety needs of victims of violent crime. This position will allow Myrtle Beach police to provide, enhance, and expand its direct services to primary and secondary victims.” The $300,000 grant comes from the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services and will allow Myrtle Beach police to establish a Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program. “LEAD is a pre-booking diversion program that allows law enforcement that allows law enforcement to redirect low-level offenders to community services, including mental health services and drug rehabilitation,” the motion reads. “MBPD will use this funding for two Health Outreach Coordinators and scholarships for participants.” Before the meeting, proclamations were also made recognizing former Horry County Police Chief Joe Hill, who retired last month, as well as Horry County Administrator Steve Gosnell, who will retire in December. Gosnell was awarded the Order of the Palmetto in September.

Ways to Thank Service Members and Veterans

By Dusty Rhodes • November 11, 2024
While any time is a good time to thank military members for their service, some military-related holidays and observances are an especially great time to recognize those who took the oath to serve and protect our country. Looking to show your appreciation for service members and veterans beyond just words? Here are a few ideas. Acts of Service Buy a meal. If you see a service member in uniform or recognize someone is a veteran while dining out, picking up the tab for their meal is a nice gesture – and an even better surprise. Lend a hand. Are you good at carpentry, plumbing, or landscaping? Do you enjoy sewing, cooking, or cleaning? Offer your skills to help a military family in need, especially if a service member is deployed. Using these skills to show your support could ] brighten someone’s day and make life a little easier for military families juggling responsibilities. Volunteer at a VA hospital or veterans’ shelter. Not every veteran has someone checking up on them, so seeing a friendly face, especially during times of struggle, could mean more than you know. VA medical facilities depend on volunteers to help with various services, including visiting patients, running errands, or helping facilitate recreational activities. In addition, serving meals at a veterans’ shelter or donating goods to food pantries and shelters that serve veterans helps ensure basic needs are being cared for. Connect With Veteran Networks Participate in parades and other veteran events. Many cities hold parades and celebration events during military-related holidays, like Memorial Day and Veterans Day. By attending the events, you can show your gratitude in person. Consider joining wreath-laying ceremonies for Memorial Day to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, or take your family to one of the many Veterans Day events across the country to show your support. Check-in with military families. If you know someone or have neighbors with a service member in the family who is stationed away from their loved ones, take time to check in and let them know you’re there to help if needed. The simple gesture will help the family know they have support and give the service member more peace of mind, knowing there is someone nearby to look in on their family members . Listen to veterans’ stories. If you meet a veteran, take time to connect and learn more about their time in service. You’ll likely be amazed and inspired by their stories. If you’re a company or organization seeking a veteran speaker for an event or fundraiser, programs like Wounded Warrior Project’s Warriors Speak® give warriors and military caregivers a platform to share their stories and raise awareness of the needs of injured veterans. Donate to a veterans’ charity. One of the easiest and most impactful ways to honor service members and veterans is to donate to a veterans service organization (VSO). Wounded Warrior Project is dedicated to serving veterans and their families by providing a holistic approach to care, including mental wellness , physical health and wellness , peer support , financial education , and much more. Supporting VSOs is a meaningful way to empower veterans to thrive and live their lives to the fullest. Send a Military Care Package Another way to thank active-duty service members is to send a military care package. Even during peacetime, there are things service members stationed in the U.S. and abroad can use and enjoy. It also doesn’t hurt to get an unexpected gift and reminder of home when you’re away from family. Here are some ideas on what to send in a military care package: Toiletries: Items like deodorant, soap, shampoo, and razors are always needed and appreciated. Costs for these little things can add up, and they are necessary, whether in the field, deployed overseas, or even at home. Deck of cards, puzzles, books. Even with all our modern technology, a deck of playing cards is a classic care package item. Books, puzzles, and games can also be a fun way to pass the time on deployment, in the field (if allowed), or at the barracks. Feminine-hygiene products. Women are the fastest-growing demographic of veterans, and more and more are serving in the Armed Forces. Sending items specifically to women warriors shows them they’re being seen for their service and helps provide much-needed supplies that are often an extra expense for servicewomen. Snacks. Consider portable snacks like beef jerky, trail mix, or energy bars for warriors in combat zones. For those in basic training or stationed away from home, send local treats or popular snacks that are easy to share. Add comfort items like soup cups, instant coffee, flavored drink mixes, or cookies. A card or letter. It’s always nice to hear that what you’re doing is appreciated. When sending a note or card in a military care package, include how important the service member’s sacrifice is to you why it matters. Reading these words of support and appreciation can go a long way in brightening someone’s day. Regardless of how you decide to show your appreciation to service members and veterans, we must never forget the sacrifice members of the U.S. Armed Forces are willing to make for us. Find out other ways you can help wounded veterans. Contact: — Paris Moulden, Public Relations, pmoulden@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.570.7910 About Wounded Warrior Project Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more . 

Why Home Sales Historically Bounce Back After Presidential Elections

By Dusty Rhodes • October 28, 2024
With the 2024 Presidential election fast approaching, you might be wondering what impact, if any, it’s having on the housing market. Let’s break it down. Election Years Bring a Temporary Slowdown In any given year, home sales slow down slightly in the fall. It’s a typical, seasonal trend. However, according to data from BTIG , in election years there’s usually a slightly larger dip in home sales in the month leading up to Election Day ( see graph below ): 
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