Nine Important Tips When Moving into a New Home

So, you just bought a new house– Congratulations! The ultimate challenge isn’t over just yet!

There is a lot to consider when moving into a new house, let alone a new neighborhood. And while most people focus on moving steps like packing and unpacking to be the only hurdles standing in the way from a successful relocation, they fail to realize that it’s the things that you do AFTER moving into your new place that makes the difference.

Getting used to your house, learning how it functions, and prioritizing after-sale projects you want to start is only a parcel of what you’ll have to undertake as a homeowner. And like with any task, it’s better to do it all right when you move in, instead of waiting and assuming you’ll figure it all out eventually.

Of course, we know you’ve got a lot going on already, so we’ve got your back! Set your to-do list straight with these nine important tips you need to consider when moving into a new home! Read on for what you need to know for you to put a plan in place.

Child and/or pet proof it.

If you’re moving into a new home with little kids (or furry, four-legged babies), some initial childproofing should be done to keep them safe until a permanent setup is in place. Create a separate, kid/pet-free zone for discarded packing materials, check all windows to see if they’re secured closely, and never have long hanging blind cords– and keep anything dangerous and sharp far out of reach!

Don’t forget the utilities.

It’s always a good idea to arrange for your utilities to be ready before the move-in date. So, while you’re doing your once-over, make sure everything is ready to go. On the actual moving day, verify that your electric, gas, water, heating and cooling, phone, and internet are all in place. Then call your local waste management facility to ensure that your new home will be scheduled for the garbage pick up as well.

Put repairs at the top of your list.

If you’re not moving into a newly-built home, chances are you’re going to have some repair tasks. You’ll have a general idea of what these are during the home inspection, but it won’t hurt to walk around on your own and get a handle on what needs to be done and what tops the priority list. Making a list of what needs to get done and what order you intend to do it will help you put your repair needs into perspective and give you a better footing for when it’s time to get the ball rolling.

Update your address.

The whole moving process is stressful and time-consuming, so it’s understandable to forget to set up a change of address with the post office before moving day. If you haven’t yet, then now’s the time. Be sure to notify others of your move as well, including friends and family, subscription services, your bank, any loan providers you have, and anyone else who sends you regular correspondence or bills. If you’ve moved to a new state, you’re also going to need to contact your motor vehicle department to arrange for a new driver’s license and updated vehicle registration.