The upside: Moving into a brand-new home is a pleasant surprise. Little prep, less stress, no grime to clean, and no repairs to tackle.
You walk into:
A fresh, clean space
Modern appliances
A layout designed for you
Why it matters: This allows you to focus on all the other aspects of a move. Enjoy all the things that make your new house – your new home!
Your first week checklist:
1. Get services up and running
Tip: Be sure water, sewer, electric, and gas are turned on shortly after closing.
Now set up:
Cable/Wi-Fi
Phone (if using a landline)
Trash and recycling
Security systems
Lawn care, if needed
2. Update your address
Start with USPS for mail forwarding. Then notify:
Social Security and Medicare
Banks, credit card companies, and insurance providers
Doctors, cell providers, and advisors
Employers
Online accounts (Amazon), subscription services
3. Familiarize yourself
Before boxes take over, learn:
Where the water shutoff is
How to use your circuit box
The temp setting on your water heater (keep under 120°F)
4. Focus on safety
Check:
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Outdoor lights
Door locks (swap them if needed)
Add safety where needed:
Stair treads
Grab bars in the bathroom
Extra lighting
5. Organize your paperwork Designate a spot for all manuals and warranties.
Know:
What’s covered
For how long
Who to contact for service
6. Connect with your HOA
Ask for the rules. Know:
What changes need approval
What maintenance is covered
7. Meet your neighbors
Walk the neighborhood. Find:
Social events
Local amenities
Closest grocery stores, doctors, hospitals
Pro tip: Keep emergency numbers visible – police, fire, and hospital.
Bottom line: You’ve earned this next chapter. Get the essentials handled early so you can enjoy what’s next – new friends, new routines, and a home that truly fits.
For more Active Adult resources, check out our page on NewHomeSource and follow us on Facebook.
Sarah Kinbar
Sarah Kinbar is a writer and editor with a passion for design and images. She was the editor of Garden Design magazine, curating coverage of residential gardens around the globe. As the editor of American Photo, Kinbar worked with photographers of every genre to create a magazine that told the story of the photographer's journey. She has been writing about architecture, landscape design and new-home construction for NewHomeSource since 2012. During that time, she founded Kinship Design Marketing, a boutique agency that provides content for website redesigns, blogs, inbound marketing campaigns and eNewsletters.