Moving into a new home is a significant milestone, marking the culmination of your property journey. At 1300BIDDER, we understand the importance of ensuring this transition is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Beyond assisting you in purchasing your ideal property, our commitment extends to supporting you through every phase of your homeownership experience. To help you settle comfortably and securely, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide: “10 Things to Do Before Moving Into Your New Home.” This resource is designed to provide practical steps and insights, ensuring your new residence is not just a house, but a welcoming home.
Do a Deep Clean
Start fresh with a deep, eco-friendly clean. Existing homes, renovated or newly built homes can have dust, construction debris, and residues from paint and glue. A professional cleaner can sanitise all surfaces, including floors, windows, and kitchen cupboards. If you prefer to do it yourself, focus on wiping down cupboards, window sills, and vents—places that often collect dust during the build.
Tip: Use natural products like vinegar and baking soda for a safe and chemical-free clean.
Plan Your Living Space
Take time to plan where your furniture and devices will go. Measure each room carefully to see what fits best. Think about how you want to use each space—do you need a home office area, or is a play corner for children more important? You can use online tools like Plan Your Room or Planner 5D to sketch out room layouts and experiment with furniture arrangements. Planning ahead will save you time and effort on move-in day and help avoid having to rearrange heavy furniture later.
Tip: Use painter’s tape to mark furniture dimensions on the floor and visualise the final setup.
Connect Essential Services
Set up electricity, gas (if used), water, and internet before you move in. Nothing is worse than moving into a home with no power or Wi-Fi! Contact your providers early and schedule connections for move-in day. If you’ve been with the same energy provider for years, now is a good time to compare prices using the Victoria Government Energy Compare site. You might find a better deal based on your expected usage in the new home.
Note: If you haven’t yet secured your new property, our Auction Bidding Service can assist you in confidently acquiring your ideal home.
Child and Pet-Proof Your Home
If you have children or pets, making the home safe should be a top priority. Install safety gates at stairs and doorways. Use cupboard locks to keep cleaning supplies and sharp objects out of reach. Walk around the home and garden with a critical eye. Look for open gaps under fences, sharp edges, or low-hanging branches. Make sure balconies and decks are secure.
Tip: Whether it is a new home or existing home, it can have small gaps or loose fittings, so take time to check every room.
Install Safety Devices
Install smoke alarms in all required areas—usually near bedrooms and living spaces. Check if the home has safety lights for staircases and add handrails where needed. You may also want to install security cameras or a doorbell camera for extra peace of mind.
Check for Pests and Tree Hazards
New homes can still have pest problems. Materials like timber, plasterboard, and even brickwork can attract pests, especially if stored outdoors before construction. Ants, spiders, and even rodents may already be inside by the time you move in. Also, inspect trees near the house. Overgrown branches may hang too close to the roof or windows, creating pathways for pests. Branches can also break off during storms and cause damage. Tree trimming, tree maintenance, and tree removal can prevent these issues.
Real Example: One of our clients in Cranbourne found ants in their kitchen before moving in. After several failed DIY attempts, they contacted this pest control company in Cranbourne and had the issue resolved quickly.
Tip: Consider hiring a tree service professional to assess and prune nearby trees. A simple tree care inspection can prevent costly problems later.
Organise Home and Contents Insurance
Arrange building and contents insurance before moving in. You may have had building insurance during construction, but make sure contents like furniture, appliances, and electronics are also covered. Accidents can happen during moving—so having insurance in place from day one ensures peace of mind. Check that your policy includes coverage for natural disasters if you live in a high-risk area.
Order Rubbish Bins from Council
Contact your local council to arrange bins for general waste, recycling, and green waste. Don’t leave this until after you move in—you’ll need them right away for unpacking boxes and packaging materials. Some councils allow you to order bins online, and it can take a few days for them to be delivered. Check if your council charges a fee or if bins are provided for free.
Meet Your Neighbours
Introducing yourself to your neighbours is a great way to feel settled. Neighbours can offer helpful information about the area, like the best local services, schools, and community events. Ask if there are neighbourhood watch groups or online community pages for your suburb. These are good ways to stay connected and up to date with local news.
Tip: A simple hello and a friendly chat go a long way in building trust and good relationships. Need help finding the right home for your lifestyle? Our Buyers Advocacy Service offers personalised support to help you get settled into a neighbourhood that suits you.
Update Your Address
Update your address with essential services like banks, insurance companies, phone and internet providers, and subscription services. Australia Post offers a mail redirection service to catch any mail sent to your old address while you update everyone. This avoids missing important letters, including bills and legal documents.
Need More Help?
If you’re looking to buy a new home, or seeking expert advice, call Barry Feldman at 1300 243 337. At 1300BIDDER, we do more than just secure properties—we support buyers through every step of the journey, from bidding at auction to settling into your new home. Whether you need expert negotiation, auction representation, or guidance in choosing the right property, our experienced team is here to help.
Get in touch with 1300BIDDER at 1300 243 337 today to take the stress out of buying and enjoy peace of mind long after the keys are in your hand.
