You’ve got the keys, the movers are on their way, and it’s all yours. But is it? The truth is, when you move into a new home you live with the creative persuasion of the previous owners, their rooms and layout a ghost of the former residents. And no one wants to stay in someone else's house for too long. From day one, make changes to the home that will benefit your future, and replace these four key things to inject your personality into the property and let go of the old and used past.

Replace the window awnings

The windows are the eyes of the home, the first noticeable feature that sets the tone and style of the home. Fortunately, windows do not need to be replaced, but window awnings are a sure fire way to add instant value to your home with minimal effort.

Don’t settle for awnings that don’t match your colour scheme, or have rips that let the sun stream inside in places they shouldn’t. If you look at the exterior of your home and it fades into the street with no definable features, then perhaps window awnings can have a multipurpose of sun blocking, as well as enhancing the appearance of the home.

Replace the carpet

Pets, smokers - you name it, the carpet has seen it all. When it comes to cleaning, steaming can only go so far, with stubborn smells living on in the carpet forever. And let’s not start on the stains. Your first night in the home is going to be rained on by the mysterious stains on the carpet in the bedroom - was it from a party, a crime?

It’s not a guessing game that will ease your mind. Another advantage to ripping up the carpets is there may be some stunning hardwood floors underneath - the number of homes that are standing on a goldmine without even knowing it is incredible.

Replace the locks

A no brainer, right? The previous owner could have given spare keeps to friends, relatives and anyone in the street. A chilling thought, and one you don’t want to think on for too long when home alone. Take the opportunity to not just replace the locks, but beef up any other security you may think the home needs. It might be locks on the windows, or even a lock on the outdoor laundry. This is not an area to be stingy especially when the alternative could be a robbery or worse.

Replace the oven

You wouldn’t eat the food off someone elses plate, would you? Well the oven is really no different. While most property sales insist on professional oven cleans, it’s hard to get it shiny new. How many hundred (thousand?) meals have been roasted or baked in that oven only to be brought out with the moisture and smells trapped in the oven and embedding themselves into the oven. Starting again with a new oven (and even stove) means you can update your kitchen appliances to something modern while ensuring everything you eats is what you intend to.

In all the excitement and expenses of moving it is easy to forget that the home you are entering might not be immediately perfect. Putting your personal stamp on a home is why we buy property to begin with, and polishing the exterior, interior and tightening security measures will only add value to your home. Get ahead of the game and before you move in have your suppliers and quotes in place so that you can hit Go as soon as you get the keys.