What Should You Do When Moving to a New Home?

There’s a lot that goes into moving to a new home. From making sure you’re getting your favorite cable package to the last crock-pot in the kitchen storage, there is a lot of stuff to take care of. If you lose track of your priorities, the move-in day can become a total disaster. Moving mistakes, however, are far easier to avoid when you have a sensible plan in place.

If you are not planning on doing the move yourself, hiring a reputable moving company will be one of your top priorities. Before you actually hire a moving company there will be some helpful ways to decrease your moving expenses. The article at Realty Times provides an exceptional summary of how to save money on moving expenses.

Below you’ll find a checklist that provides sensible tips for making your move go smoother and lessen the need for worry. Here are the essential things to do before moving into a new house.

Let everyone know you have moved

One of the most essential things you can do prior to moving is to actually let everyone know you will have a new residence. Understanding who to notify when you’re moving will go a long way into making sure you not only get appropriate mail to your new address but important contacts and organizations know how to reach you.

Transfer utilities

Before you can enjoy the comfort of your new home, you need to set up your utilities like water, gas, and electricity. Depending on the location of your new home, you may or may not choose the utility companies. Although these companies usually connect you at your request, notifying them of your move-in date is always better, especially if you’re moving in the busy season.

Change the locks

You never know how many keys of your new home are floating around until you get a new lock or re-key the existing one. The previous owner may have given a spare key to neighbors, workmen, housekeeping, or relatives and forgotten about it. With those keys circulating, there is an increased risk that someone may use one to enter your new home. Don’t wait for that to happen but arrange to have a locksmith visit your house and change or re-key the old locks.

Connect cable and internet

When people move, they often experience so-called dead zone – the period you’re waiting for your internet and TV service to be connected. However, you can avoid it completely by setting up these services before the move-in day. Compare the pricing and packages in your area, so you can figure out what service providers best suit your needs. To make sure your services are online on time, schedule installations at least 2-3 weeks in advance.

Direct your mail to the new address

By the time you move into your new house, your bills and other mail should already have your address. Your address is connected to so many aspects of your life that when you update your address, you update your life. This should be one of your priorities when moving into a new house.

From maintaining subscriptions and loyalty programs, over insurance and checkbooks, to banks and credit cards, take time to make a list of all the bills you pay and the providers that need your address before you leave your old home. It’s not bad advice to get your post redirected for a while, just to make sure you’ve included all the important updates.

Upgrade the wiring

While you can make electrical upgrades anytime, it’s always easier to re-wire the empty house, especially if new routes for switches and outlets need to be punched through the wall. Even if you know a thing or two about electrical installation, you better let the professionals do your wiring.

Unlicensed electrical work is could be subjected to a fine and may void the building insurance. After all, why should they risk everything when there’s a great electrician who can upgrade your service mains, update the switchboard with safety switches, or install more power points or lighting fixtures.

If you’re moving into a newly built home, you’ll probably have all the electrical outlets you’ll ever need. The problem is with older homes, which used to be built with fewer outlets per room, as well as lower power rating.

Inspect plumbing for leaks

In unoccupied houses, leaks often appear only when new owners decide to run a bath or the first torrential rain hits. Everyone can walk around the new home and look for structural problems, while a more thorough inspection calls for a home inspector. Hopefully, if you have purchased the home you’re moving into a thorough inspection via a professional has been done.

An expert eye can notice traces of condensation around the windows, mold, or signs of previous leaks. As with electrical wiring, every kind of repair is easier done while the home is empty.

Take photos of valuable items

Moving your valuable or fragile items can be nerve-racking, especially if you hire movers. Although professional moving services usually have their work insured, to make everything run smoothly, take photos of each valuable item, whether it’s your computer monitor, 55-inch TV, or an antique heirloom. Their photos are proof of their original condition, in case they are damaged in the relocation process. No matter how professional the movers may be, moving insurance is an added service that usually pays off.

Work out the packing strategy

As your move-in day comes closer, start throwing out or donating things you down want to take to the new home. Save money on packing supplies by collecting free cardboard boxes from local businesses. Make your job easier by color-labeling the boxes according to the room they go into.

Don’t forget to pack an open-first box, which contains everything you need to survive for the first 24 hours in your new home, as you most likely won’t be able to unpack after an exhausting moving day.

Whether you’re in hurry to get done with the move or have plenty of time before the big day, once you start checking off this list, you’re on the right way to enjoy your new home without a bitter taste in your mouth.

Final thoughts

Without a doubt moving can be a real pain in the neck. Most people who have bought and sold a home before will tell you that the worst part of the whole process was the packing and moving. It just isn’t fun – it is a lot of work and even with awesome planning can result in significant stress. The key is to keep a stiff upper lip and do you very best.

Before you know it, you’ll be in a great place enjoying your new life and surroundings.

Priorities to Take Care of When Moving to A New House by Bill Gassett | Realty Biz News