As you plan your move into your new home, I’d like to share 5 tips beyond packing to help you make your move smoother.
We often consider moving steps like packing and unpacking the only significant things standing in the way of fully settling into our homes. I have some tips to share before and after the move that can make a big difference.
Walkthrough the Empty Home
You most likely will do a final walkthrough before you close on the home. If the house wasn’t completely empty, I recommend doing another before moving, setting up your furniture, and unpacking. Ideally, you can do this before you start unloading the moving truck.
If you did not do a final walkthrough with your Realtor®, now is the time to do it. Look around and double-check that the previous owner has completed all the requested and agreed-upon repairs. Be sure all items that were to be included are, and everything is in working order including outlets and switches. Even if you did a final walkthrough, it is a good time to double-check.
Make a Plan for What’s Going Where
You will save yourself a lot of time in trouble when moving into a new home if you make a plan of attack for setting everything up instead of just winging it. This is particularly true of large, heavy items like furniture.
While you already have a basic idea of what goes in what room, give yourself a moment to slow down and stop and think about it exactly.
What do you want it to look like?
How do you want the room to flow?
Where would you like to position furniture?
You can make changes later, of course, but going into this task with the general plan will always make the job easier. There are multiple online space planning websites you can use for this process.
Set Up Your Utility Accounts
Hopefully, you took care of arranging your utilities to be ready for you before moving into your new home, in which case, now is the time to ensure everything is ready to go and working correctly.
On moving day, verify that your electricity, gas, water, heating and cooling, phone, and internet are all set up. Call your local waste management facility to ensure your new home is set up for garbage pickup. You may also want to make sure somebody comes and gets all those boxes.
Deep Clean
Deep cleaning is the last thing you want to do after going through the moving process. Right after moving is the best time to do it, but I don’t blame you if you don’t have the time or inclination to put on your cleaning gloves right now. If you are not one of those people who loves cleaning, consider calling a professional instead. Whether you pay in time or expense, starting life in your new home on a clean slate is really worth it.
Meet Your New Neighbors
Meeting your new neighbors is much easier and less awkward when you’re moving in because everybody’s watching you. In addition to getting yourself on the right foot in your new neighborhood, you’ll find it helpful to start learning about your community and getting recommendations for local services you need, like a locksmith or other service providers.
You don’t need to go door to door but do make a point of introducing yourself the first time you run into new neighbors. A little friendliness will go a long way.
Moving into your new home is inherently overwhelming, but following these steps can make the transition easier and more seamless. You will have a lot to do, so don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether from a friend, a family member, or a professional service provider. The sooner you can take care of the big stuff, the sooner your new house will feel like a new home.
If you have moving questions or are considering buying or selling in the Palm Springs area, contact me, Stephen Burchard, The Desert Bowtie Realtor®, taking the (k)nots out of real estate.
