Real Estate Agent Shares 5 ‘Non-Negotiables’ You Should Change After Moving Into a New Home

A real estate agent on TikTok has shared the five things he would recommend you get right away if you buy a new house.

Joe Seamon, a South Carolina-based real-estate agent, explained that there are a few “non-negotiable” items that he would change right away for “peace of mind.”

Seamon’s video went viral with more than 158,000 views and more than 10,000 likes since Jan. 20.

Here’s what he would recommend.

Toilet Seats

This one should be self-explanatory, but Seamon said one of his first items is a new toilet seat in, “All of the bathrooms.”

Door Locks

New homebuyers should be sure to change the locks as well.

Seamon recommended locks with a digital keypad. He suggested a brand that allows you to unlock your door with a fingerprint.

“You can also control it with your phone,” he noted.

HVAC Filters

Changing the filters helps your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system run efficiently and can help make sure you have good air quality by removing dust, allergens and potential contaminants left behind by the previous occupants.

“I do not want to be breathing in someone else’s dust and dirt,” Seamon said.

Smoke Detector Batteries

Seamon pointed out that it’s always a good idea to make sure the smoke detectors have new batteries.

“We want to make sure that the smoke detectors are working properly, and have fresh batteries in them after you buy your house,” he said.

New Water Filter

Similar to the air filter, a new water filter can ensure that you have clean water after the previous occupants move out.

“If the house came with a refrigerator, I’m going to put in a new water filter just to have peace of mind that there’s a clean, fresh water filter in place,” Seamon said.

Users React

Many TikTok commentators added their own preferences for when they move into a new space.

“Invest in a professional to clean the house, even if the sellers paid to have a cleaner—everyone cleans differently or the ‘second clean’ allows the team to focus on the real dirty things again,” user @tspencer 18 wrote.

“Locate the HOA [Homeowners Association] website (if applicable) and learn what all is included in your dues and what the bylaws are. Find a HVAC company that offers routine service packages. Install a flood stop on [the] water heater,” user @friscoproblems added.

“Mark dates on air and water filters and smoke detector batteries so you will know when they were installed,” a third user suggested.

Finally, user @andicassasstevens wasn’t content with just changing the seat: “Honey, I changed the whole toilet.”