The Ultimate Guide for Renters Buying Their First Home
August 27, 2025 Homeowner TipsMake Your Move Easy
Save yourself hours of research and way too many phone calls with all of the different home service providers.
Get StartedBy Gabe Abshire, CEO of Move Concierge
You’ve been renting a place ever since you moved out of Mom and Dad’s. It started with the first apartment in college, small and perpetually occupied by your multiple roommates, but representative of that first taste of freedom you’ve been craving for years.
Then comes apartment number two, still small but with fewer roommates, maybe a fifth-floor walkup but close to easy transit. And then finally – finally! – you’ve scraped up enough money to buy your very own place.
Now what? There are so many things to consider when buying your very first home, especially when you’ve been a long-term renter and are used to having a landlord handle the basics of property management.
Renters moving into their first home should consider these key steps:
Before Moving In
- Final Walkthrough: Conduct a thorough walkthrough with your real estate agent to ensure all agreed-upon repairs have been completed and the property is in the condition specified in the contract.
- Utilities Transfer/Setup: Contact utility providers (electricity, water, gas, internet, trash) to transfer existing accounts or set up new ones in your name, effective on your move-in date. Companies like Move Concierge can help take all of this management off your plate and provide you with a moving concierge to do the work so you can focus on your move.
- Home Insurance: Confirm your homeowner’s insurance policy is active and covers the property from the closing date.
- Change of Address: Update your mailing address with the USPS and notify relevant institutions (banks, credit card companies, subscriptions, employers) of your new address.
- Key Collection: Arrange to pick up all keys, garage door openers, and any alarm codes from the seller or their agent.
Upon Moving In
- Change Locks: For security, it’s highly recommended to change all exterior door locks immediately.
- Locate Essentials: Find the main water shut-off valve, electrical breaker box, and gas shut-off valve. Familiarize yourself with their locations in case of an emergency.
- Check Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Ensure all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are present and functioning, replacing batteries if necessary.
- Initial Cleaning: Even if the home was professionally cleaned, a personal deep clean before unpacking can make the space feel truly yours.
- Document Condition: Take photos or videos of the home’s condition, especially any pre-existing damage, for your records. This can be useful for future reference or insurance claims.
- Set Up Security System: If the home has a security system, activate and test it. If not, consider installing one.
- Review Appliance Manuals: Gather and review manuals for any appliances that came with the home.
Making the leap from renting to homeownership is a major life milestone, but it’s not without its challenges. At Move Concierge, we’re here to help alleviate the stress involved so you can revel in the joys that come with homeownership.
