7 Tips to Have in Mind Before
Moving to a New House
So it's time to move house! You've found a great new place and you're all packed up and ready to go. But wait, before you switch the lights off for the last time, there are a few things you need to do to make sure that your home is in great condition when you leave it, and also so that your new home is ready and waiting for you when you get there.
No matter how much you plan, there will always be unexpected elements that crop up along the way. Nothing can account for every eventuality, so it is important to try and do as much as possible within the time frame you have allowed yourself.
Give yourself plenty of time to plan for your move; don't leave it too late. And make sure you know exactly what day your moving date is; it's easy to lose track of this.
Below, we share with you useful tips to help you get through the relocation in the best way.
Your house is your new long-term investment
Considering our homes as a long-term investment, we should take time to think about what we're trying to accomplish and how we want our home to feel. Then we can figure out what we need to do to achieve these feelings and set priorities. We will find that the process is not only fun and rewarding, but that it helps us better enjoy our new home.
A lot of people tend to tackle their initial home improvement projects without thinking too much about the overall direction they wish to go with their homes. Some may even see this as a way to save money, but usually the results are less than ideal and leave homeowners feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.
The best way to avoid this type of situation is to sit down and really think about what you’re looking for in your new home and what your end goal is. Are you looking for a place that feels comfortable and cozy? Are you trying to design an oasis where you can relax and entertain guests? Do you want a space that is open and full of light? Think about what your preferences are now as well as how they might change over time as your family changes or as your living space changes based on things like remodelling or renovations.
Remember, you’re going to be living in your new home for a long time, probably more years than the one you’ve had. You want to make sure that it is as livable and as pleasant as possible. And sometimes this means fixing something that may not be immediately inconvenient but is still important to get done.
Make a moving checklist
Once you have the checklist ready, add a column for the date and ask family members to add their initials next to each task that they undertake. This way you know who did what and when.
While making the moving checklist, bear in mind that this is not an exhaustive list and it will change depending on your circumstances. If you are moving with pets, you need to take additional steps like having a kennel or hiring a pet sitter. You can also include renting a storage unit if necessary. It is also important to note down the items you would like to get rid of such as furniture and other household objects.
If you are selling your home, this checklist will be particularly useful in knowing what needs to be done prior to putting up your house for sale so that potential buyers can easily see what they are getting into.
Disconnect and reconnect services which you use
For example, you may discover that your current internet provider has a cut-off and much closer date than you would like.
In this case, we suggest that you look into switching over to a new provider and learn how to get in touch with them in order to cancel your service in advance.
The same goes for other services and utilities out there. You will want to make sure you do not run the risk of having them unexpectedly cut off while you are moving and potentially unable to schedule an appointment with them.
Look into these sorts of details. Create a checklist of all your services and utilities and make sure everything is up to date, including contact information and payment information.
If you plan on cancelling any services or utilities, we suggest that you do that at least a week ahead of time in order to avoid any last-minute disruptions or issues during your move.
This will allow you peace of mind, knowing that everything is taken care of, even if it means making some sacrifices. You never know what might be running through your mind on the day of the move, so it’s best if you prepare ahead of time.
Packing
Before you start packing up your belongings, make sure to take photos of the rooms of the home. This will help you know what needs to be packed and what can be left behind.
The next step is to make a list of all the things that need to be packed. When doing this, it’s best to separate items into piles based on the room they are in. This way, if you are moving with family or friends, this will help them pack your things more efficiently.
If you are moving by yourself, it’s best to pack everything into one box before moving it. This will allow you to maintain track of all your items and ensure that nothing gets lost or damaged during transport. You should also pack items that weigh less in boxes made out of hard plastic, instead of cardboard boxes.
One thing you should not leave behind is any trash. It’s significant to do a major clean before leaving the home so that there are no surprises when you move into your new place.
Change your locks
If you're not sure whether you have a good lock, try this simple test: Get a piece of paper and push it between the door and jamb so that it’s touching the door and the jamb. Lock the door and try removing the paper. If you can take it out easily, but so can a burglar.
Lock the doors leading from the garage into your home. This is especially important if your garage is attached to your house rather than being separate from your home. It’s easier for burglars to get into basements or other areas of your home from a garage than from a front or back door, so it’s important to take extra precautions in this area.
Many people have a tendency to forget about this area, but it’s just as important to have the locks changed here. After all, if someone has a key to your front door, they can use it to get into your basement, too.
For those of you who live in Australia’s capital, it’s a good idea to look for a locksmith in Sydney who will always be at your service and help you make your new home as secure as possible.
If you have an alarm system installed in your home, be sure to have the company that installed it change the passcodes. If you don’t have an alarm system yet, maybe it’s time you considered one. Alarms are a great way to deter would-be thieves from targeting your home in the first place.
Cleaning
Since this is a big task that involves a lot of work and time, you may want to start with a small section of your house and clean this small section thoroughly. Once you have finished the spot, move on to another one. Doing this may allow you to get accustomed to the cleaning process and also give you an idea of what areas in your home require more effort because they are dirtier. In addition, if you have kids or pets at home, they will surely appreciate the fact that you have cleaned up their favourite areas because it means less mess for them later on. It's a win-win situation for everyone!
Once you have finished cleaning a section in your home, take note of any areas that still need extra cleaning. These areas should be given priority when cleaning other parts of your home or when getting rid of unwanted stuff. You must remember that clutter makes dust collection possible and leaving them there until the end will make your entire house much dirtier than it already is.
You will have to thoroughly clean the new house several times. You should consider calling a cleaning service or hiring friends and family to help you. The same goes for painting as well as minor repairs.
Meet your Neighbours
Picking out the right home is only half the battle; once you’ve moved in, it’s time to get to know your neighbours. Different neighbourhoods have different personalities and knowing what your new neighbourhood is like can help you feel more comfortable. The good news is that there are many ways to meet your neighbours, even if you think you don’t know anyone in the area.
Just as important is to be neighbourly yourself. If your new neighbours are out on their porch, say hello. If they have a barbecue or are hosting a block party, go by and say hi. These kinds of gestures will help you get to know your neighbours right off the bat.
Another great way to meet people in the neighbourhood is by joining an organization or local club in your area. By joining, you can meet people with similar interests who live nearby, and who want to help make their community better.
Remember, the most important thing is the organization. In addition, you need to keep smiling and positive because you have finally achieved your great goal.