Moving into a new place should be such an exciting time, especially if it’s in a new city too. Meeting new people, exploring new places, and finding fun things to do there in your spare time is some of the best things about moving into a new home. Decorating your new home and making new memories in it is the most magical time but that magical time can be cut short if you don’t check these 10 things before you move in.
- Doors
Inspect the doors, both internal and the ones leading outside. Make sure that all the doors open and close without any issues or sticking. Sometimes, especially with painted doors, the changing seasons can make the door swell underneath the paint or varnish which makes opening and closing the doors a problem. This is particularly important if you have children as they won’t have the strength to open a door that is wedged closed.
- Windows
Check all of the windows in the place, not only to make sure they all open and close without a problem but you also need to check for chips and hairline cracks that could pose a security problem if the glass panes break. If any of the windows slide then make sure to check the sliding functionality as well as making sure the lock works.
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- Plumbing
Check all of the taps/faucets in the place, making sure they all work and aren’t loose or leaking water. Flush the toilets and be sure to check that the water level doesn’t rise to a suspicious level, which could be an indication of blocked pipes. The next thing to check is the quality of the water that comes out, keeping a lookout for signs of rusty pipes that could make the water appear brown. Don’t let these things stop you from moving into a new place before the mortgage rates rise.
- Electrics
Switch all the lights and appliances on at the same time to check that the electricity supply is working properly. If any of the Zinsco circuit breakers trip then you can easily have them replaced. If you can, get an electrician to come out and inspect the wiring in your new place to give it all a thorough inspection before you move in. Faulty electrics not only pose a significant risk for electrocution but are also a fire hazard. Make sure you have it all tested and checked and make sure your fire extinguisher has been recently serviced.
- Water Heater
The last thing you want after a long day of unpacking the boxes in your new home is going to have a relaxing hot shower only to realize the water heater is broken or faulty. Find a reputable plumber online and have them come out to inspect your water heater before you move in. They will easily be able to tell you if the current one will last you a long time or if it needs replacing before you take up residence.
- Home Heating System
Have all of the radiators in your new home checked before you move in, especially if you are moving in during winter. You can do this quickly by double-checking if the thermostat is in heat mode and then making sure the temperature is set to a higher temperature than the current temperature of the room, aim for around 3 degrees higher to adequately test the heating system. You need to do this to make sure the system will last at least through the winter but preferably much longer too. The last thing you want is to have to find someone at the last minute to come and fix your system so you don’t freeze, not to mention avoiding the excessive charges associated with emergency call-outs.
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- Parking
There are few things as annoying as never being able to find parking outside your apartment. Check the parking available outside your new block, some buildings come with private parking but not all of them do so be sure to check your building’s perks before moving in. Do not worry if your building doesn’t have private parking spaces, sometimes you can rent one from a nearby parking garage so you have off-street parking. If your new neighborhood is safe enough you could also consider street parking.
- Cell Phone Reception
Every so often you find the most amazing new place in the perfect building or your dream area and you fall in love immediately. Unfortunately, life is rarely perfect, and sometimes that “amazing” place has zero cell phone reception. Not having a cell signal is not only annoying but it is also a safety hazard, especially when you need to make a call in an emergency. The good news is there are ways around it if it is bad, you can buy and install a signal booster for your apartment or even club together with your new neighbors and buy a large booster for your entire building.
- Noise Levels
It’s a good idea to visit your potential new apartment at varying times during the day and night to check the noise pollution in that area. Sometimes the noise levels are so much louder at night, this could be from a nearby pub or club and you wouldn’t know it unless you checked at night. Plan to go around ten times on different days and different times, it is best to avoid the noisy places than to try and fix the problem after the fact – no one likes sleeping with earplugs in.
- Crime
Ask your neighbors about the crime levels in your new neighborhood, especially ones who have been there longer as they will have the most experience so you’ll get a well-informed answer. It is important to remember that there are home security precautions you can put in place to help keep you and your family safe and that there are few places in the entire world that don’t have some form of crime. Do what you can to protect yourself and your family but don’t be paranoid, paranoia always does more harm than good.