New House Checklist: What to Do Before Moving In

Dusty Rhodes • February 14, 2022

After all the paperwork, long nights, and the back and forth with your real estate agent – you did it, you have the keys to your new home. So what’s next? You may have the urge to start making your house a home, but before you jump into it, there are a few important things to consider on your new house checklist. From scheduling cleaners and coordinating movers to researching home improvement projects, there are many things to do before moving into your new house.


This is where a new house checklist comes in. We created a checklist that outlines what tasks to complete, when you should complete them, and what essentials you need. So whether you are moving into a new house in Phoenix, AZ, or need a new house checklist in Portland, OR, read on to see what to consider.


New house checklist

  1. Transfer utilities before closing
  2. Schedule movers
  3. Update your mailing address
  4. Set up internet, cable, and appliances
  5. Consider the layout of your new home
  6. Locate the circuit breaker and water valve
  7. Change locks and home security
  8. Deep clean each room
  9. Assess home improvements to tackle
  10. Stock each room with essentials
  11. Create and organization system


1) Transfer utilities before closing

The first priority for your new house is to change the utilities to your name. Doing this will guarantee that electricity, garbage, water, and gas are up and running by the time you open the door. When exactly should you cross this item off your to-do list? You should contact your utility companies at least two weeks before your move-in date. It takes a few weeks for accounts to switch over depending on the city so it is good to get this handled before you move. Once the account is in your name, you will have one less thing to worry about during your move.


2) Schedule movers 

Having an extra hand when it comes to moving will take the weight off your shoulders and allow you to relax. Scheduling movers from a reputable company will guarantee your furnishings are handled with care and will also help with loading items into your home. 


3) Update your mailing address

Having an up-to-date mailing address is very important. You’ll want to notify the right people and places about your move and it’s better to do this earlier rather than later. You don’t want to miss a bill payment because the notice was sent to your old address. Here’s a list of the top people you’ll want to give a heads up about your move:

  • the post office
  • tax agencies
  • utility companies
  • insurance providers
  • your employer
  • your bank
  • credit card companies
  • loan providers
  • online shopping sites

Also, don’t forget to give your new address to friends and family so they can help you unpack and congratulate you on your new home.


4) Set up internet, cable, and appliances

Setting up internet and cable may be one of the first things you’ll want to do in your new home, especially if you’re working from home. Research different companies and consider plans that work with your lifestyle and have a strong connection in your area. Since creating a new account can take some time, try to schedule an installation a few weeks in advance of when you need it. It is also a good idea to confirm all your appliances are up and running in your new home. Including refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, washers, and dryers. You’ll likely start using your fridge and microwave on the first night.


5) Consider the layout of your new home and research new furniture you may need

Before the furnishings are brought to your new home, it is important to go room by room and visualize how your existing furniture will work with the layout. Maybe your new home includes a bonus room, a garage, or even a larger outdoor space. Knowing how the different layouts your new home provides will help you get a feel of what you may need. If you are moving with children, establish necessary precautions for their safety. This includes locating outlets, sharp edges, and anything around that could cause them harm. If you are moving with pets, make sure to get right back to their routines as this will help your pet adapt to their new surroundings. 


6) Locate the circuit breaker and water valve 

In case of an emergency, you’ll want to know where the circuit breaker and water valve are located. Knowing where these two things are in your home will help in any situations where an emergency shut off or a reset is needed. You can typically find the water valve in the basement or crawl space, the garage, or on an exterior wall. As for the circuit breaker, it is generally in an area of your home that is tucked away such as a closet, basement, or garage. Also, take note of all the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors so you can keep up with the required maintenance.


7) Change locks and invest in home security 

When you move into a new home, it’s important to change the locks to the doors, garage, and invest in home security. There is no telling how many copies of the keys are out there, so it’s always better to get new ones. Changing the locks doesn’t have to be difficult. Reinstall the locks on your own or seek professional guidance from a locksmith to ensure you are kept safe. Protect your home even more by investing in home security. Whether that’s with a professional company or a smart doorbell, there are many options to help you stay safe.


8) Deep clean each room 

One thing to consider is deep cleaning each room of your new home. To ensure that no parts of the home are overlooked, scheduling professional cleaning companies can relieve the stress. And if that’s not in your budget, a little elbow grease can go a long way. Deep cleaning will ensure a clean slate for your new home.

9) Assess home improvements to tackle 

Of course not every home is perfect, and when you were touring, you may have considered a number of potential home improvement projects. From replacing your floors to new cabinetry, the possibilities are endless when designing your dream home. Depending on the size of the project, it is essential that you take time to budget before any surprises arise, and set time aside for the completion of any remodels. 


10) Stock each room with essentials

You likely won’t unpack every box by the first night of move-in, so you’ll want to pack a box of essentials for each room while you are making the transition. Go room by room and see what you may need within the first week of moving into a new house. To get you thinking, consider:

  • For the bathroom: Towels, toilet paper, toiletries, shower curtain, toilet cleaner, plunger
  • For the kitchen: Easy meals, trash bags, dish soap, dishcloths, glassware, cookware, utensils, coffee maker
  • For the laundry room: Detergent, hamper, ironing board, iron
  • For the bedroom: Bedding, hangers, pillows, blankets, a week’s worth of clothes
  • Other essentials: Light bulbs, batteries, tape, nails, trash cans, cleaning supplies, lighters, flashlights, and phone chargers


11) Create an organization system

With all of your belongings packed away in various boxes and locations, there is no denying that your new home is about to get messy. Creating an organization system will help you unpack each room one by one. You probably – and hopefully – have already labeled your boxes and placed them in corresponding rooms, but consider having a notepad of what boxes and items belong in each room to keep inventory. Having a new house checklist will help the unpacking process flow more smoothly.


Preparing yourself for a new home can go a long way, and with this new house checklist, you’ll be one step closer to making your new house a home.

Source: Redfin Blog


Dusty Rhodes Properties is the Best Realtor in Myrtle Beach! We do everything in our power to help you find the home of your dreams. With experience, expertise, and passion, we are the perfect partner for you in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We love what we do and it shows. With more than 22 years of experience in the field, we know our industry like the back of our hands. There’s no challenge too big or too small, and we dedicate our utmost energy to every project we take on. We search thousands of the active and new listings from Aynor, Carolina Forest, Conway, Garden City Beach, Longs, Loris, Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, and Surfside Beach real estate listings to find the hottest deals just for you!

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Top Mistakes Homeowners Are Making in 2026 (And How To Avoid Them)

By Dusty Rhodes • March 23, 2026
Let’s be clear: selling your house is absolutely possible right now. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), roughly 11k homes sell every day in this country. And the sellers who are making their moves happen all have one thing in common: they’ve adjusted their strategy to match today’s market. They’re realizing inventory has grown. Homebuyers are more selective. And buyer expectations are higher. The sellers who struggle are usually approaching today’s market with yesterday’s expectations. Here are the three biggest mistakes they’re making – and how to avoid them. 1. Pricing Based on What Their Neighbor Got a Few Years Back Setting your price is the most important decision you make when you sell – and the one that’s most often mishandled. Realtor.com data shows almost 1 out of 5 sellers in 2025 had to drop their price. Here’s what those sellers went wrong. Buyers have more choice and more negotiating power now that inventory has grown. And house hunters will actively avoid your house is if feels like it’s priced too high. That’s why overpricing usually leads to: Fewer showings Less competitive (or lowball) offers Longer time on market And all three of those side effects are things you don’t want to deal with. What To Do Instead: The good news is the cure is simple. Just price for today’s buyer, not yesterday’s headlines. Lean on your agent’s knowledge of recent comparable sales, current competition, and local buyer behavior to land in the value “sweet spot” that drives traffic and urgency from day one. 2. Trying To Skip Repairs That Buyers Now Expect A few years ago, you could sell as-is and still get well above asking. Today? Not so much. Right now, NAR says two-thirds of sellers are making at least some repairs. And the reason why is simple. In a market with more inventory, buyers compare homes side by side. Homes that don’t show well (or feel dated) are going to lose attention quickly, even if the issues are minor. What To Do Instead: Ask your agent which high-impact, low-stress updates they’d recommend for your house. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s helping buyers see themselves moving in without a mental to-do list. Small investments in staging, repairs, and curb appeal can make a huge difference in how quickly offers come in – and how strong those offers are. 3. Playing Hardball When Buyers Try To Negotiate Today’s buyers have housing affordability at the top of their minds. And since money is already tight, they’ll be pickier and will probably ask for some compromises from you. Whether that’s making repairs, giving them a credit at closing, or taking just a few thousand dollars off your asking price, negotiating is normal again. So, if something pops up in the inspection, you’re going to need to be open to talking about it. If you’re not, you may very well see your buyer walk away. And some sellers are figuring this out the hard way. Redfin data shows one of the big reasons home sales fell thru in 2025 was inspection or repair issues. Odds are those homeowners weren’t willing to flex a bit to get the deal done. What to Do Instead: Meet with your agent to make sure you understand what buyers in your area care the most about. Align your price with value, present the home clearly and confidently, and stay open to reasonable negotiations that keep deals moving forward.

10 Aging-in-Place Features Pros Swear By

By Dusty Rhodes • March 16, 2026
They’re often called aging-in-place features, but things like curbless showers, nonslip flooring and wide walkways and doorways can benefit everyone, no matter their age or ability. “Regardless of aging in place, there is a place for these in day-to-day life, whether it be a teenager on crutches, a family member having had surgery, active kids,” designer Dana Bass says. “It’s not just about aging in place. We’ve got to account for unplanned life emergencies.” Designer Tammy Battistessa of Ellaire Kitchen & Bath Design agrees. “Whenever possible, I include aging-in-place and universal design features in every project, as I believe many of these features benefit clients of all ages and abilities, in addition to allowing a client to safely remain in their home for a longer period of time,” she says. Creating a home that can adapt also makes it more sustainable. “Aging in place is a key element to making legacy homes that can evolve over time,” architect Tim Barber says. With all that in mind, we asked more than 50 home design and construction professionals to share the aging-in-place features they always recommend. Here are the 10 that came up again and again. 1. Wide Walkways and Doorways Planning ahead is one of the most important steps when incorporating aging-in-place features. Many of these elements require thoughtful design and construction, so it’s wise to start early — and to consider hiring professionals who understand the nuances. “Thinking through how you will really use the space makes all the difference,” designer Haiku Durden of HDS Design says. “Having a designer involved really makes a difference.” A professional can help you create a plan that works for your current needs and anticipates future ones. “We currently default to aging-in-place features when our clients are near retirement or retirement age,” says designer Jenny Guggenheim of Guggenheim Architecture and Design Studio . “Preplanning by adding blocking behind the wall finish, spacious floor planning to allow for wheelchair or walker use.” In fact, spacious layouts are among the most commonly recommended aging-in-place strategies. Wide walkways and doorways — and generous clearances around furniture and fixtures — make it easier for anyone to move through the home comfortably. Installing a continuous flooring material throughout also reduces tripping hazards caused by changes in height or texture between rooms.

The Price You Set Can Make (or Break) Your Sale

By Dusty Rhodes • March 2, 2026
There’s one decision you’re going to make when you sell that determines whether your house sells quickly, or it sits. Whether buyers make an offer, or scroll past it. Whether you walk away with the maximum return, or you end up cutting the price later. And that’s your asking price . The #1 Mistake Sellers Make Today: Trusting the Wrong Number If you’re thinking of moving and trying to figure out what your house may sell for, it’s tempting to start with an online home value tool. They’re fast, free, and easy. And you don’t have to talk to anyone. But here’s the problem: they don’t know your house. And that can be a bigger drawback than you realize. Where Online Estimates Fall Short Online tools often lag behind the market. They look in the rearview mirror, relying on closed sales and delayed information. And in that sense, they’re using incomplete data . That’s not a miss in how these systems are built. Some information just isn’t available online. Bankrate explains: “ While these tools can be a useful starting point, keep in mind that they typically do not provide the most accurate pricing. Algorithms can only rely on the information available; they can’t account for things like a home’s condition or renovations made since the last public information was updated.” They can’t see: The unique features that make your house special All the work you’ve put in to keep it in good condition Or, how in-demand your specific neighborhood is right now So, while they may do a good job in some cases, they can’t be as accurate as a local agent who has boots on the ground day in and day out. In a market where buyers have more options, a seemingly small margin of error can cost you thousands if you price too low, or weeks of lost momentum and time if you price too high. If you want to sell for the most money and in the least amount of time, you don’t want the fast answer on how to price your house. You want the right one. That’s why the savviest homeowners today don’t rely on algorithms when it actually matters. They rely on people, specifically trusted local agents. What an Expert Agent Brings to the Table According to 1000WATT , sellers overwhelmingly believe real estate agents have the best sense of a home’s true value, far more than any automated tools.