5 Changes to Make to Your New Home

by Kelsey Ramirez

I have moved over 15 times and about 1/2 of those were in my adult life.  Moving is what we do in the military.  Change is inevitable.

Moving can be a fun, yet exhausting adventure.  When you move in to your new place, you either want to start packing immediately or crash because of all of the packing, the move itself, and the unloading.

However, how often do you think of the little things you need to change?

Here are 5 changes you should do when you buy your new house.

5 Things to Change in Your New Home

Change the Locks

You never know if the last owner/tenant still have keys to YOUR new house. This is the most important change you can make for the security of your family. 

You can buy new locks at a home improvement store (I recommend a deadbolt lock for all exterior doors – including the garage). If you are not handy, consider hiring a recommended local locksmith to change the locks.

Included in this – check all your windows and be sure they are locked.

Throw Out the First Ice Batch

The first ice from the automatic ice maker should go down the drain.  Hopefully, the appliances received a good cleaning – perhaps with bleach. If not, go ahead and give it a good clean and then throw out the first batch. You don’t want any residual in your cold drinks while unpacking all those boxes. 

Change the Toilet Seats

You just bought a house. I know, you are probably very low on money. However, this may be one area of upgrade or change you may want to invest in if possible. 

A toilet seat costs on average $15-30.  We changed the porcelain ones that were standard on ours to nice elongated durable plastic ones.

Mow Overgrown Grass

Seems pretty obvious, right?  Well this usually gets put on the back burner.  However, if you have outdoor pets or kids, you want to get this under control fast. 

Overgrown grass is home to slithering creatures such as snakes (which can be dangerous depending on the area), ticks, fleas, and more. 

Children may not want to be cooped up in your house and the backyard can be a perfect outlet for them while you are unpacking.  Spend a few hours focusing on the yard to give yourself the time you need to organize indoors.

Change the Batteries in the Smoke Alarms

There is nothing worse than waking up Day 3 at 3am to the annoying chirping sound of the smoke alarm.  It gets the dogs barking which then wakes up the children, and you are now an official zombie.  Go buy a few packs of 9-volt batteries and change them.  

Getting ready to move? Go join The Military Move on Facebook and grab your free copy of your PCS notebook guide.

 

 

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Kelsey Ramirez

Kelsey Ramirez

Owner | Managing Broker | License ID: 22031543

+1(843) 685-8495

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