Top 10 things to do when you move in

No one said moving to a new home was a fun process. What with packing boxes, unpacking boxes, living out of boxes… you get the idea. Not only are you busy settling in, there is what seems like a laundry list of tasks that need done as well. What needs done immediately and what can wait? Here’s a list of the top ten things to do when you move in to a new home.

1. Get your address changed. Or, if you don’t have the time after you move in, stop by your old post office a few days before you move and ask them for the paperwork to get things moving. Don’t forget to contact banks, the BMV, any mailed subscriptions you have to change your address.

2. Contact your local utility companies. We’ll give you a list of phone numbers to call, but in case you misplace it, here’s the nitty gritty: electric, gas, cable, telephone, internet, garbage, water, and sewer.

3. Find your main circuit breaker. Make sure you understand the labeling, and if you don’t, contact your sales representative at Faber and he or she will help explain it.

4. Identify a good place for your emergency kit. It might be the last thing on your mind, but as you move in and hang photos and other things, there are countless opportunities for a minor first aid situation.

5. Identify emergency exits. This seems like a simple one, since you designed your home, but it’s always crucial to understand how you will evacuate should something happen.

6. Check smoke detectors. We will set you up with new batteries, but always be sure to have replacement batteries handy and know how to replace them.

7. Know where your water valve shut-offs are. This will come in particularly handy if you are having a new appliance installed, such as a fridge or washer.

8. From the curb, check your street number. Make sure it’s place visibly on your home so friends, family, and delivery services are able to find you.

9. Update your car registration, voter registration and car registration. Most counties will automatically update your voter registration when you move into a new home, but it’s always good to double check.

10. Make sure people know where to find you! Send out a postcard or email to friends, family and coworkers to let them know where you’ve moved.