{"id":75088,"date":"2026-08-24T06:57:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T13:57:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=75088"},"modified":"2026-08-24T08:49:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T15:49:47","slug":"first-apartment-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/first-apartment-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"First Apartment Checklist: What to Buy First to Complete Your Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether you\u2019re starting a new job in your hometown of <\/span>Nashville, TN<\/span><\/a> or getting a fresh start living across the country in <\/span>Portland, OR<\/span><\/a>, moving into your first apartment is an exciting milestone in life. There\u2019s something surreal about sitting in your new place for the first time and realizing that you finally have a place to call your own. However, knowing what exactly you\u2019ll need can be overwhelming, especially if you\u2019re starting from scratch. Even if you try to focus on the essential items, it\u2019s easy to get lost in the chaos and excitement of filling your new home.<\/span><\/p>\n

With this first apartment checklist, you\u2019ll learn what you need to survive in your first <\/span>rental<\/span><\/a> and what home goods you can put off buying \u2013 at least for now. Let\u2019s get started.<\/span><\/p>\n

>>Renting as a college student? Check out our <\/i><\/b>off-campus living guide<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

\"first<\/p>\n

What to do on move-in day<\/span><\/h2>\n

Document your apartment\u2019s condition<\/span><\/h3>\n

Proper preparation on move-in day goes far beyond unpacking boxes \u2013 it sets the foundation for your entire tenancy and protects your financial investment. Property managers and industry experts emphasize that setting up your household administrative tasks on day one is just as vital as assembling your furniture.<\/span><\/p>\n

To ensure new renters cover all necessary bases right from the start, real estate management experts from <\/span>G3 Management & Investments<\/span><\/a> emphasize the critical tasks tenants should focus on during their first hours in a new home:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the biggest things first-time renters overlook is properly documenting the condition of the property at move-in. Take detailed photos and video, complete any move-in condition report, confirm utilities and <\/span>renters insurance<\/span><\/a> are active, and understand how maintenance requests should be submitted before an issue arises. A little preparation on day one can prevent confusion, unexpected costs, and disputes when it\u2019s time to move out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Measure each room<\/span><\/h3>\n