What to Do the First Week After You Move In

You did it — the keys are yours, the movers are gone, and your boxes have finally landed in your new home. 🏡

But before you can truly relax, there’s still one important stretch ahead: your first week after moving in.

This week sets the tone for how smoothly your new chapter begins. It’s about unpacking smartly, securing your home, setting up systems, and making sure you’re financially and practically settled.

Here’s your day-by-day guide to what to tackle — and how to start feeling at home faster.

Key Takeaways

✅ Focus on essentials first — safety, utilities, and basic comfort.

✅ Confirm your home systems, accounts, and services are working properly.

✅ Unpack strategically to avoid overwhelm.

✅ Get your paperwork (and finances) in order early.

💡 Pro Tip: Never give up on securing the best mortgage deal for your financial situation. Use Fincast to ensure you still have the best deal; if not, refinance to save even more over the long term, with Fincast guiding you to the loan that makes the most financial sense.

Day 1–2: Settle the Essentials 🔑

The first 48 hours focus on comfort and functionality—ensuring your home is livable, safe, and running smoothly.

1. Unpack the Must-Haves

Start with your “essentials box” — toiletries, chargers, bedding, kitchen basics, and a few outfits. Don’t stress about decorating yet. Focus on what helps you live comfortably.

💡 Pro Tip: Give yourself permission to unpack slowly. Prioritize one room at a time — typically the bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom first.

2. Verify Utilities and Systems

Before you get too cozy, confirm that everything’s working:

• Electricity and gas

• Water and hot water

• Internet and Wi-Fi

• Heating and air conditioning

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

If you find issues, contact your utility company or landlord immediately.

See our guide: The Ultimate Moving Checklist: From Utilities to Mail Forwarding.

3. Change the Locks and Security Codes

Even if you trust the previous owner, it’s always smart to reset:

• All door locks and garage codes

• Smart home systems and thermostats

• Alarm codes or keypads

💡 Pro Tip: Change Wi-Fi passwords too — and make sure your router and smart devices are secure.

Day 3–4: Get Organized and Personalize 🏠

You’re officially in — now it’s time to make the space yours.

4. Deep Clean Before Fully Unpacking

Even if the home looked spotless at closing, give it a thorough cleaning:

• Wipe cabinets, baseboards, and vents

• Sanitize bathrooms and kitchen surfaces

• Replace air filters and vacuum ducts if needed

💡 Pro Tip: Schedule professional carpet cleaning before furniture is fully set up — it’s easier and makes the home feel fresh.

5. Unpack Strategically

Work by room, not by box. Prioritize areas that impact daily comfort:

1. Bedrooms: Bedding, curtains, lighting.

2. Kitchen: Appliances, utensils, pantry basics.

3. Bathrooms: Towels, toiletries, cleaning supplies.

4. Living Room: Furniture and entertainment setup.

Create a small “donate” pile for items you unpack but no longer need.

6. Locate Home Essentials

Familiarize yourself with:

• Electrical panel and water shut-off valve

• Gas shut-off and main breaker

• Fire extinguishers and HVAC filters

• Thermostat and irrigation controls

💡 Pro Tip: Label everything clearly. In an emergency, you’ll be glad you know where it all is.

Day 5: Handle the Paperwork 🗂️

Now that your essentials are handled, it’s time to finalize the less glamorous (but important) details.

7. Verify Your Address Everywhere

Double-check that your new address is updated for:

• Banks and credit cards

• Insurance companies

• DMV and voter registration

• Subscriptions and streaming accounts

💡 Pro Tip: Confirm that your USPS mail forwarding from your old address is working — visit moversguide.usps.com to verify.

8. Review Your Homeownership Documents

Revisit your:

• Closing Disclosure to confirm loan details (see How to Read a Closing Disclosure, Line by Line)

• Homeowners' insurance policy to understand coverage

• Property tax information for upcoming bills (see Property Taxes, HOAs, and Zoning: The Fine Print You Can’t Ignore)

💡 Pro Tip: Create a dedicated homeownership folder — digital and physical — for all documents related to your purchase, mortgage, and home maintenance.

Day 6: Meet Your New Home and Neighbors 👋

It’s not all paperwork — this is the fun part.

9. Walk the Property Inside and Out

Take time to notice details you missed during walkthroughs:

• Check for leaky faucets, drafts, or squeaky doors

• Look for yard issues or drainage concerns

• Test outdoor lighting and sprinklers

Document anything that might need maintenance later.

10. Meet Your Neighbors

Introduce yourself to the neighbors. They’re your best source for:

• Trash and recycling schedules

• Local service recommendations

• Community events and HOA updates

💡 Pro Tip: Join local social media or neighborhood apps like Nextdoor or Facebook groups — it helps you feel connected faster.

Day 7: Plan for Long-Term Maintenance and Finances 💰

Your first week is also the perfect time to think ahead.

11. Create a Home Maintenance Schedule

Regular upkeep prevents expensive repairs. Add reminders for:

• HVAC filter changes (every 3 months)

• Roof and gutter checks (biannually)

• Pest control and landscaping schedules

• Smoke detector battery changes (annually)

See Hidden Costs of Homeownership You Should Plan For for a breakdown of long-term maintenance budgeting.

12. Set Up Your Escrow and Payment Accounts

Make sure your mortgage and escrow accounts are properly set up to cover property taxes and insurance.

See Understanding Escrow Accounts for Taxes and Insurance for details on how these payments are managed automatically by your lender.

💡 Pro Tip: Set your mortgage to autopay to avoid late fees — but always double-check your first few payments for accuracy.

13. Reassess Your Budget

Your new home means new costs — utilities, lawn care, HOA fees, and more. Update your monthly budget to reflect:

• True mortgage payment (PITI: Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance)

• Utilities and services

• Maintenance funds (1–2% of home value annually)

💡 Pro Tip: Many homeowners don’t realize that rates and fees can still vary significantly even after closing, depending on lender overlays and timing. Upload your Loan Estimate to Fincast to see whether lenders can offer a better rate—even post-closing.

Bonus: Celebrate and Breathe 🎉

You’ve handled the hardest parts. Take a day to just enjoy your new home:

• Order takeout and eat on the living room floor

• Walk your new neighborhood

• Watch the sunset from your porch

💡 Pro Tip: Keep one photo from move-in day — you’ll love comparing it after you’ve made the home your own.

How Fincast Helps You Beyond Move-In 🚀

Moving in doesn’t mean your financial journey ends — it’s the start of optimizing your homeownership.

With Fincast, you can ensure you’re not leaving money on the table:

1️⃣ Get pre-approved for a refinance or use your current Loan Estimate

2️⃣ Upload it securely to Fincast 3️⃣ Vetted lenders compete to beat your rate or reduce fees 4️⃣ You choose the best offer — no spam, no extra credit pulls

Result: Potentially more savings each month to put toward furniture, décor, or that backyard project you’ve been dreaming of.

FAQs

1. When should I start unpacking?

Start right away with essentials, but don’t rush. Focus on one room per day to stay organized.

2. Should I deep clean again after moving in?

Yes. Even new or professionally cleaned homes collect dust and debris during moving.

3. What documents should I keep handy?

Keep your Closing Disclosure, insurance policies, tax info, warranties, and HOA documents — all stored digitally for quick access.

4. When is my first mortgage payment due?

Usually, the first day of the second month after closing (e.g., close June 10 → first payment August 1, but always check your closing documents to be sure).

5. Can I still save on my mortgage after closing?

Yes — upload your Loan Estimate to Fincast anytime to see if vetted lenders can beat your rate.

Bottom Line

Your first week as a homeowner is about more than unpacking — it’s about setting up systems that keep your home, finances, and peace of mind on track.

You’re truly settled when:

✅ Utilities and locks are updated

✅ Paperwork and escrow are organized

✅ Maintenance plans are in place

Enjoy your new home — you’ve earned it.

Pro Tips (Save These!)

📦 Unpack essentials first, not everything at once

💡 Change locks and security codes immediately

📋 Review your Closing Disclosure and insurance policies

🏦 Verify escrow setup and mortgage payments

🚀 Upload your Loan Estimate to Fincast for ongoing savings

Action Checklist

• Confirm utilities and Wi-Fi are working

• Change locks and passwords

• Deep clean before unpacking fully

• Unpack priority rooms

• Update your address everywhere

• Review closing, insurance, and tax documents

• Set maintenance reminders and budget

• Upload Loan Estimate to Fincast

• Celebrate your new home!

👉 Want to save as much as possible as a new homeowner?

Thousands of homeowners use Fincast to pressure-test their loan terms. Upload your Loan Estimate to Fincast to see if you can save, even after you’ve moved in.