You’ve probably already called the cable guy and arranged for your utilities to get hooked up before move-in day, but here are a few things that will help you settle into your new digs that you might not have thought of:
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Change the locks. Safety first. Check with your landlord about providing him or her with a new key, but don’t risk an old tenant dropping by uninvited.
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Consider your electrical needs. Lamps, stereos, televisions, game systems, and DVD players tend to fight for outlet space. Plan ahead for what will need to go where and make sure you have the proper outlet configurations.
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Check for unwanted guests (like rodents and bugs). If they’re not paying rent, they’ve got no business in your apartment. Call an exterminator before you move your things in and schedule maintenance visits as necessary.
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Plan a cleaning day. Hopefully, your landlord has already given your apartment a good cleaning, but most people like the security of knowing that something is really clean before using it—especially the bathroom, kitchen, and floors. If possible, plan a cleaning day before your move-in date so you don’t have to shuffle things around.
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Clean and disinfect the fridge. While you’re cleaning, take this opportunity to remove spills, food residue, and odors from your refrigerator before you stock it.
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Change the toilet seat: Speaking of clean, this is one area you don’t want to make any assumptions about. For under $20, you can get a factory-fresh commode topper. We highly recommend it!
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Make it your own. You’re starting with open floors and bare walls. Take advantage of this time to imagine the perfect living space and create it!
Two more sources for information:
Real Estate agents – Worldwide real estate companies directory and property buyers and sellers guide.
Real Estate Blogs Directory – Directory of real estate blogs and blogs of industries affiliated with and
serving the real estate industry.
