Buying a new house is always exciting, but it does not come without extra work. Once you are in, it’s time to adjust the space according to your aesthetic taste. That means buying new furniture, new appliances, but also essentials that many people miss. Here is a list of the 5 things you have to do as soon as you cross the doorstep of your new home.
5 Things you Need to do once you Buy a New House
1. Changing the Locks
Decorations are nice, but first things first. Safety should be your primary concern, which means changing the locks. Even if you know the previous owners personally and trust them, you should still get a new pair of keys. Perhaps somebody, unknown to them, made copies and now has access to the house where you live. A new lock is inexpensive so change it the very second you move in!
2. Check the Plumbing and Wiring
You don’t want your house to get flooded or go up in flames, do you? Then be sure to check and the pipes and cables that run through it, under it, and over it.
This is something that real estate agents never bother to inspect and the previous owners usually aren’t aware of the situation. Go to the bathroom, kitchen and the basement to check for leaks in the pipes. Mold and an unpleasant smell are a tell-tale sign of a leak. If you spot one, call the plumbers immediately to fix it. The same goes for electric wiring, check that there aren’t any sparks and that the voltage is even in all sockets.
If you are buying an old property, perhaps it is wise to change the entire wiring in advance. Old electric wiring is one of the main causes of house fires in Australia.
3. Home theatre
Once the house is secure from external and internal threats, it is time to make the house truly your own. Setting up a theatre system will ensure that you have full control of the entire space so you can start having fun. The TV set goes into the living room, paired up with a gaming system. However, keep in mind that cable signals can be flickery, especially in remote areas, such as the Australian Outback.
Even in cities, it is wiser to use antennas that guarantee free channels, better visual quality and are weather-proof. The process of antenna installation in Sydney is rather simple and does not require nearly as much money as you might think. Also, for a home entertainment system, a simple roof antenna is sufficient enough.
4. Clean up the house
Even if you are the first owner, the place you are going to live has to be cleaned thoroughly. Whether you do it yourself or you hire an agency to do it, this action should not be omitted or left for later. If you do it on your own or with the help of friends, be sure to gear up: buckets, mops, chemicals, vacuum cleaners, rubber gloves etc. Scrub every nook and cranny of the house, including inside the cabinets, the window sill, the basement, and the attic, if there is one. Be sure to steam clean the carpets as well, that is the only way to deep clean it.
5. Pest control
In today’s world, animals, even wild ones, live alongside people. You will definitely come across some in your house, so their population needs to be controlled.
This can be done on your own, which we do not recommend, as calling pest control is an effortless solution that won’t cost you much. Most common animals that you will encounter are rats, mice, cockroaches, termites, stink bugs etc. Another living threat can come from above in the form of pigeons, bats, and pesky mosquitoes. If they live in large numbers around your house, then you might consider installing window screens. This way you won’t be in the situation to chase out bats from your living room in the middle of the night.
There are many more additions that you can make to your home. Prioritizing is essential, and these five steps really ought to be taken first before anything else. A secure environment in which you can have fun provides the basis for everything else to come.