8 Smart, Postmove Things You Should Do Before You Start Unpacking

by Margaret Heidenry

Congratulations—you’ve officially moved into your new place.

Now what?

A fresh start can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming—and while the thrill of unpacking all those carefully labeled boxes awaits you, there are a few first steps experts agree you should take before you get too settled in.

We’re not talking the obvious, like turning on the lights, setting up your internet, or forwarding your mail.

These are the overlooked steps that not only get you off on the right foot, but also set you up to be sitting pretty for years to come.

Horizontal long shot of young son helping his senior father with moving to new house carrying boxes full of stuff together — Unpacking can be fun, but making sure your home is truly all set before you settle in will give you extreme peace of mind. (Mediaphotos/Adobe Stock)

1. Take photos

Photos of bare and unadorned rooms? Yes, you’ll want them, whether you’re renting or buying.

If you’re renting, these are essential when the time comes to get your security deposit back, giving you a record of the condition of the place before and after you’ve left.

But photos are also important if you bought a new home, since a fair amount of time may have passed between the inspection and when the previous owner finally stepped away.

If any damage occurred in the interim, it’s worth a conversation with your real estate agent about compensation.

Also, if the movers did any damage when delivering your stuff, photos will help you with that awkward conversation as well. Which brings us to the next step.

2. Check your belongings for breakage

If you hire movers to either pack or move your belongings, “you have a limited amount of time to report any suspected damage or missing items,” says Kevin Gallegos, vice president of Phoenix operations for Freedom Financial Network.

“Make sure that if a major appliance was moved”—such as a refrigerator, washer, or dryer—“they still function as they should. Review your contract to determine liability coverage if you discover a problem.”

3. Figure out when and where to leave your trash

As you unpack, you'll be eager to get rid of the trash, so finding out from your landlord, homeowners association, or neighbors when and where you can do that is key.

“You won’t want to miss pickup day when you’ve got piles of cardboard lying around,” says Desmond Lim, founder of Boston’s moving website QuikForce.

4. Change the locks

It’s your home now, but who else had the keys when the previous residents lived there?

No one wants even the slightest question about safety lingering over a new home.

This makes swapping out locks as soon as you can “one of the most important things homeowners can do when they are settling into a new property,” says Marty Hoffmann, vice president of marketing at Kwikset.

5. Register your car

Did you move from one state to another? If so, you’ll need to register your car within 60 days.

Each state's requirements are slightly different, but penalties range from fines to impounding your vehicle if you fail to comply in a timely manner.

You’ll also need to get a new driver’s license, usually within 30 days of your move.

Young flipper-looking couple painting their living room — Your new place is a blank canvas—make the most of the open space! (Getty Images)

6. Break out the drop cloth

Most people don’t have the luxury of painting prior to moving in, so, if possible, paint as soon as you regain your strength from the move.

“The longer you wait, the tougher it is to paint,” says Steve Revnew, vice president of product development at Sherwin-Williams.

Most people “continue to collect and add furnishings, all of which make painting more difficult," he says. "Moving heavy furniture or working around furniture isn’t easy, especially smaller rooms.”

But with no obstructions besides neat, stackable boxes, painting is a breeze.

7. Check your credit reports

Your credit reports are usually accessed during a move, as everyone from new employers and landlords need to reference them for background checks.

That's why it's important to “request a copy of your credit report within six months of your relocation,” Gallegos says.

Besides ensuring that your address change was recorded accurately, Gallegos advises to “watch for inconsistencies that might indicate you’ve been a victim of fraud. During a move, a great deal of personal financial information is exchanged and forwarded via mail and email. It’s important to make sure your personal information wasn’t compromised.”

Frequent voters are more likely to be influenced by politics in their decisions on where to live, and they are more likely to feel their views align with the majority of the people where they live. (Getty Images)

8. Update your voting address

Whether it’s for an upcoming election for president or your local school board, don’t forget to update your address so you can vote.

Most states allow a 60-day grace period during which time you can use an old address at your new polling place. For elections beyond that, register at least two weeks beforehand so you don’t miss out on swaying any important issues.

After all, what better way is there to plant a foot in your new neighborhood than exercising this all-American right?