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So you bought a property, were handed the keys, and now you’re ready to start enjoying it, but you’re not sure where to start with the empty rooms of your new place. Moving is one of the more stressful things you may have to deal with, and it doesn’t end when you move in.

Once you arrange and unpack, you may feel overwhelmed and need help figuring out what to do next. Preparing a checklist of things to do can greatly benefit your daily needs upon moving in.

Clean Up Before You Unpack

There is no better time to start cleaning your new home than when everything is packed. The previous owner would have already done this in a perfect world for you, but you can’t always count on that. Naturally, that may not be something you’re willing to do immediately after a move, but it is worth the effort. Getting a good clean in before you put everything out where it belongs is a good way to get every corner of the property cleaner than ever. You will be able to find small scuff marks and imperfections in the property and fix them if need be. You will feel much better once you clean the property, even if you think it doesn’t need it.

If you can afford it, consider hiring a professional cleaning company to do the cleaning for you, preferably before your arrival. You’ll save yourself a bit of effort and time if you do, and the company will be much more thorough and professional about keeping your home spotless upon arrival than you ever could. That way, you won’t have to deal with disruptions and can handle things on your end for the moving part of the equation.

Create a To-Do List

While you have more access upon arrival, you can make a list of things you want to do in each room. You don’t have to go into too great a detail; make a list of things you want to do with a pen and paper, a notepad or even your phone. These may be small things that come to mind, such as where you want to hang your favourite paintings, mirrors or whatever else strikes your fancy. It may even be something bigger, such as possible additions to your home, like new furniture or interior walls. Going through the property while you have it free and empty of clutter may give you a better understanding of how your new home should look.

Change the Locks

Many of us feel more secure when the locks are changed, even when we move into a new property. Luckily, this isn’t difficult and is not too expensive to handle. Regarding security, you should change your front and back door locks if you have a second door. This may seem a bit much, but there is no way to know whether someone has copies of your keys lying around, so it’s best to err on caution. Once you’re done installing the new locks, you should head to the local locksmiths and get some copies made. Only give your key copies to someone you trust - parents and siblings, as you may need someone to give you a hand if you lose your keys. That way, you can be sure no one will have a handy key to your belongings.

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