You’ve secured your new home and move-in day is right around the corner! But whether you’re a moving expert, or getting clothes packed away for the first time, moving can be a stressful endeavor for even the most organized individual. Fortunately, there are many smart and easy ways to reduce the workload and keep you excited for the big move-in day. Take a look at this checklist to make your move as quick and stress-free as possible.
1. Do a Walkthrough
If you’re able, taking a walkthrough of your new house while it’s empty is a great first step when moving. This will allow you to visualize and plan out where you can put your belongings and how you want to organize them. Go in with a tape measure to accurately place your furniture which will save you time and effort when the move-in day comes. This is also a good time to make sure all of the agreed upon repairs and terms of your contract are in order. If there are any issues, it’s better to find them early and address them accordingly.
2. Create an Unpacking Plan
One of the most important steps is to create an unpacking plan. Go through all of your clothes and get rid of any unnecessary items. Things that haven’t been worn in over a year or clothes that are too small can be thrown out or given away, which can save you time and energy. Label each box showing which room it belongs to. This will keep you on track, organized, and efficient when you start bringing items inside the home.
3. Contact Your Utility Provider
The last thing you want is to finish moving into your new home just to find out you have no power or water access. Contact your utility provider to ensure that you have all of the necessary connections in place before you move. Many companies allow you to transfer service to another address making the process less stressful. If this requires someone to come to your home, plan ahead and schedule an appointment on the day of your move.
4. Change Your Address
Contact your local post office to notify them of an address change and forward your mail to your new address. You don’t want to miss any important mail or bills after the move is finished. Schedule a time to go to your local DMV and contact your insurance provider to notify them of your change. This will ensure that all essential communications are made before you get all settled in.
5. Protect Your Home
You want to feel as safe and secure as possible when moving into your new home. The easiest step is to change the locks throughout the house. This will eliminate the risk of prior residents or anyone who might have an older key returning. If you want to feel even more secure, install a security system in your home to add an extra layer of safety. You also want to make certain major home components and appliances are in good working condition. Investing in an additional safeguard like a home warranty can help protect essential systems like HVAC and kitchen appliances, giving you extra peace of mind if anything is damaged or breaks down over time.
Moving into a new home can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be! Creating a plan and organizing your items before the move can make the whole process simple and easy. Now you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your new home!