7 Tips for Moving into a New Home
Moving to a new house is an exercise in planning and patience. For anyone moving for the first time, figuring out how to get all your belongings from “A” to “B” and settled in quickly is one of the process’ biggest challenges. Planning for a move starts a couple of weeks before move-in day. Use our moving into a home tips to strategize your plan and make it less stressful.
Arrange for Cleaning
Begin with the things to do before moving into a new house. The previous owners might clean the home, but chances are, it won’t be a deep clean. After all, they’ve been busy with their own move planning, boxing, and moving things out.
Start fresh in your new home. If you have time before move-in day, either deep clean yourself or hire a professional cleaning service. If you do it yourself, keep your cleaning supplies handy. Tackle all surfaces, including floors, walls, windows, and countertops. Pay extra attention to the kitchen and bathrooms. Remember to check the air filters, as many people forget to change them, and they clog with dust. A deep cleaning process will make your new house feel more like your own and create a healthy living environment.
Stay Connected
Before moving to a new house, transfer utilities such as water, gas, and electricity from the previous owner. Nothing says “move-in day” like the power being turned off halfway through hauling in heavy items!
The sooner you contact your utility companies and service providers, the sooner they will transfer their services to your new home. You want them ready for you, ideally starting day one if you can, but if not, within a few days. Some require an advance deposit, while others may do a soft credit report pull. That makes calling to schedule service start before move priority. Focus on setting up accounts for basic utilities. But, while setting up utilities, add comforts like TV and Wi-Fi providers.
Two to three weeks is usually plenty of advance warning to start/stop subscription services, but always check the utility companies currently serving your home to see what works best.
Plan Your Furniture Layout
Save time walking in with an unpacking plan that has a general idea of where your things will go. Start by figuring out how your existing furniture will fit into the floor plan. The last thing you want is to move in bulky items like washing machines that don’t fit the space.
While the house is empty, measure each room in your new home. Focus on where the heavy items go: the bedrooms, the living room, and the kitchen. Then, measure the existing furniture you plan on putting in each room. These numbers help plan where exactly you want your beds or couches to go in your new home.
Thanks to the plan, you can direct your movers to where to place the buffet, the master bed, and the dressers. It saves time on move-in day and speeds up the unpacking process. Plus, if that couch or dresser won’t fit in the space, you can sell or donate it before you waste time and energy moving it.
Inventory Your Home
Make an inventory list of all your items before the first box hits the moving truck. Having a complete list benefits you by knowing exactly what you have. Plus, it’s an eye-opening experience to look at all you’ve acquired. It’s a good time to really assess what to keep, sell, donate, or trash.
In a move, nothing should get lost or left behind. This inventory list is especially crucial if your belongings will be in storage between move-in and move-out. You want to verify all your belongings make it to your new home.
While you’re doing the inventory, go ahead and move the fragile items for moving companies not to box. You’ll want these heirlooms and valuables to stay with you during the moving process. Doing an inventory helps plan what to bring first when moving to a new house. Maybe you want to do all the big furniture and get that in place before doing boxes. Or, you’ll start with setting up the kitchen and a bedroom before doing the rest.
Secure Your Home
Your new home will feel more like yours when you know it’s safe. One of the first tasks after moving in is to change your exterior house locks. You don’t know who the prior owners gave a copy of your house key. What if they don’t realize the old owner has moved out? For your peace of mind, get new house locks. Do it yourself or hire a locksmith.
If you brought a home security system from your old home, install it soon after moving in. Moving into a new house is a great time to buy one. Many of today’s security devices are easy to install and self-monitoring. Installing a video doorbell or outside cameras can be done in one afternoon if you have the right tools.
Check Your House’s Systems
Every house has different maintenance needs. The needs your new home has may be different from your old home. Even though you likely had a home inspection, it’s still a good idea to double-check the home’s systems. Things could have changed between the inspection and your first use. Key home functions to verify are in working order are:
- Gutters and downspouts
- Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
- Heating and cooling systems
- All water drains
- Lights
- Dryer vents
This is also an excellent time to locate the circuit box and water main shut off in case you need to turn off those systems.
Plan a Housewarming Party
Setting a date for a party to celebrate your move-in sets a deadline for you to unpack all of your boxes. Inviting your friends and family (and maybe even your new neighbors) to a party at your new house is a great way to make it feel like a home and celebrate the hard work you put into the move.
Moving can be challenging, but it’s also exciting and rewarding. Hopefully, this checklist helps set a few priorities for your move into a new home. Advance planning makes moving an easier process overall.
Updated June 2024
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Preston Guyton
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