Professional Lock & Key Service

3 Key Things You Need to Do When Moving Into a New House (and Moving Out)

Apr 15, 2020
April 15, 2020

It may not feel like it with the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak still sweeping across the nation, but we are rapidly approaching the busiest time of year for real estate transactions. In the next couple of months, families across the nation will be selling their homes and snapping up properties — many of them in an attempt to get the family moved and settled before the next school year begins, while others seek to take advantage of the wide variety of options on the market. 

Whatever your reason for moving, there’s no denying that it’s a chaotic process. It’s also an opportune time for thieves! If you’re preparing to move, these are three very important things you need to do in order to protect your property — both the new house, and your old one. If you have questions, connect with a local Redlands locksmith, but start with the following suggestions: 

 

Inventory Your Belongings

It’s important to have an inventory of your belongings because it’s the best way to ensure that nothing is stolen during transit, or while moving in and unpacking. It can also help to provide documentation in case anything was damaged in the move. And, as a bonus, it will help you estimate your household size when scheduling the moving truck. To make this process easier, simply keep a running list as you go through to declutter and pack up each room. 

 

Update Your Address

Remembering to change your address on every bill and for every online retailer you use is a lengthy, daunting process. Step one should always be to officially change your address with the USPS, and to set up mail forwarding, which is generally good for 1 year and ensures that nearly all mail (except things like catalogs) will be sent to your new address. 

 

Schedule Rekeying — For Both Locations

When you move into a new home, you never know who may still have a key. Rekeying the locks is an easy and inexpensive way to make sure that all of those old keys will be rendered null, and your home will be better protected. Not only that, but while your local locksmith is providing the rekeying, they can also check to ensure that all of your locks are properly installed. 

But if you’re moving out of a property, why bother rekeying? It’s a simple matter of protecting the property until it’s officially signed over. Often, there are a few days (or weeks) that a house can sit empty during the closing process. If someone out there has a key to the property — and let’s face it, do you really remember everyone who has a copy of your house keys? — there is a greater risk that someone could use that opportunity for vandalism, loitering in the property, and stealing any appliances or fixtures. Since the property is still your responsibility until closing, you’ll want to protect against that to ensure there aren’t any surprises on closing day. 

 

If you’re preparing to move, ensure your property is protected. Call Redlands Lock and Key for local, professional locksmith help in Redlands and across the Inland Empire.