John Karadsheh
Congratulations! You have found your dream home and are getting ready to move in.
The moving process is a hectic one. From our experience, here are 10 things we think are important to do before you start unpacking boxes.
- Change the Locks
You don’t know who else has had keys to your home. So, as soon as you close escrow, we recommend changing the locks and alarm codes. A local hardware or home improvement store can help you rekey, or call a locksmith.
- Replace the Air Filters and Smoke Detector Batteries
Start fresh in your new home with clean air filters and new smoke detector batteries. Air filters should be changed every 60 days, and it is recommended you test smoke alarm batteries monthly and change them every year.
- Check the Hot Water Heater
There is nothing worse than not having hot water for a shower after a long moving day. Check your water heater and set the temperature to 120 degrees. This is considered an optimum temperature and moreover, water hotter than that can scald you or a child. Plus, the energy needed to keep the water above 120 degrees isn’t used effectively and may be costing you more money on your energy bill.
- Steam Clean Your Carpets
Cleaning your carpets will never be easier than when your house is empty. Cleaning the carpets will help remove dust, pet dander, smells and general dirt left behind by the previous owner. Just be sure to account for carpet drying time in your moving process. After the carpets are cleaned, get your tile sparkling by thoroughly mopping with vinegar and water.
- Do A Deep Clean
We recommend a deep top to bottom cleaning before unpacking. Wipe out cabinets, drawers and closets with a microfiber cloth and a combination of vinegar and water or your favorite antibacterial spray. Use damp microfiber cloths to wipe down cabinet doors, tops of cabinets and baseboards. Clean door handles, toilets, showers, tubs and the refrigerator with a bleach solution to make sure they are sanitized (you may want to change out the toilet seats). Run a phantom load in the dishwasher and washing machine. Disposals often need a good scrubbing with baking soda and white vinegar (wear gloves and be sure the disposal is off). Your deep clean also will help you notice any quirks needing attention, such as hard water buildup, loose handles and squeaky hinges. If the home feels dusty and has not been painted recently, consider wiping the walls with a damp microfiber mop.
- Clean Your Windows
There is a lot of hidden dirt in a home on the inside of the windows. We recommend cleaning all windows at least two times per year—in late September, once the monsoon season has ended, and in March, after the winter rains.
- Give It A Spray
Arizona has a variety of critters that like to make their way into our homes. Begin life in your new home with an indoor and outdoor pest service followed by monthly or quarterly visits.
- Locate Your Breaker Box and Main Water Valve
Locate your breaker box, and figure out how to turn off the power to your house. Figure out which fuses control each part of your house and label them, if necessary. Know how to turn off your main water valve in the event of a plumbing emergency. Check the shut off valves under sinks, too, making sure they are in good working order.
- Get To Know Your Irrigation System
Locate the timer for your landscape watering system, and learn how to adjust the water for your plants. In Arizona, plants don’t thrive without water, and they definitely need more water in the hot summer months. Sometimes, through the moving process, timers get disrupted. This can lead to the loss of precious vegetation in your yard.
- Meet Your Neighbors
Meeting the neighbors used to be first on everyone’s list when moving, but as lives have gotten busier, it is something we often forget. It is beneficial to swap cell phone numbers with your immediate neighbors in case of emergency and just to get acquainted with your new community.
John Karadsheh is the Designated Broker for KOR Properties. He has been a Multi-Million Dollar producing agent for more than 15 years and is an Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS). In 2014, John was voted the No. 1 Real Estate Agent in Arizona by Ranking Arizona. You can reach John at (480) 568-8684, or visit his website at KORproperties.com.
KOR Properties is a boutique real estate brokerage serving the Valley of the Sun and the creator and founding sponsor of Mesa Food Truck Fridays.