So, you have just moved into a new home - congratulations! I hope it’s the start of a wonderful new life and that many exciting opportunities lie ahead. However, there are a few things you will need to do before you get comfortable. In today’s advice post, I’m going to go through the five most important things that should be on your checklist. Let’s take a closer look.

In an ideal world, you will get the opportunity to deep-clean the new place before moving all your stuff in. It’s the best chance you will have of getting rid of the previous owner’s mess - and for starting a new life afresh. Floors, windows, walls - they all need doing, and it shouldn’t take you too long. The bathroom and kitchen are obvious areas of concern, so make sure you have plenty of bleach and scrubbers to get it spic and span. Another thing to think about is pest control. If you get the opportunity, hire a pest control firm to give the new property a good look - you don’t want any vermin giving you a warm welcome!

Make sure that you make any repairs before setting out your furniture, too. The main things to look at are the plumbing and the electrics. It’s far easier for tradespeople to complete any outstanding tasks when the house is empty - and it will make sure your new home is safe. According to KMA Electrical Repair, there are a few key places to look into. Get a wiring inspection to ensure it's safe and replace any faulty switches or power sockets. A good plumber will also be able to identify any areas of concern, including damp patches and leaking pipes.

Now that your home is safe and clean, you can start unpacking. I can’t stress enough how important it is to do the essentials before anything else. Towels, bed linen, kitchen utensils and a few clothes are going to be critical for the next few days. It might even be a good idea to have a moving-in box ready with all these items included. It’s going to take you anything from a few days to a couple of weeks to get all your things in place - so make sure you have the basics.

You will also want to hang the curtains or blinds as a matter of urgency! So, again, have them to hand so that you can make it one of your first jobs. Nothing beats a little privacy, and it’s important to be able to shut out the outside on your first few days in your new home.

In days gone by, it would be traditional for your new neighbors to come and say hi. However, it’s a tradition that is slowly wearing off in some regions of the country. This isn’t to say that people are unfriendly, but they seem to be a little shyer than used to be the case. Your best bet is to get out there and introduce yourselves. Who knows, you might even get some offers of help for the heavy lifting.

Enjoy your new home!