If you’re like most people, you probably hate moving. In fact, studies have shown that 45% of Americans hate it so much, they end up waiting till the last possible moment to start packing.
Yet moving to a new home requires you to do many other things besides pack and unload boxes. For many people, these tasks can be difficult to remember.
To ensure that you don’t forget anything important, we’ve put together this guide. By the time you finish reading, you’ll know exactly what you need to do when moving houses.
Keep reading to learn about eight things you’ll need to sort out before moving to a new house.
Contents
1. Figure Out How You’re Moving
When your move is a few months away, start thinking about how you’re going to get from your current place of residence to your new house. The right mode of transportation depends on the logistics of the move and you.
If you’re working with professional movers, do your research to find a company that won’t let you down. If you plan on driving and doing everything yourself, consider enlisting the help of some friends.
2. Acquire Boxes
Regardless of how you end up moving, you’re quickly going to realize that you have more stuff than you imagined. The easiest way to make the days before the move a breeze is by acquiring boxes over time.
Instead of buying boxes, head to places like the furniture stores and grocery stores to see if they have any extra ones for free. If you start doing this far enough in advance, you can get the boxes you need without paying a dollar.
3. Start Sorting Items
As your moving day looms closer, get to work making things easier for you later on. Start by grouping your items into different categories.
You should have a lot of items that you’ll be bringing with you. Try and find some that you don’t need that you can donate to a second-hand store or sell. Getting rid of things you don’t use will make the moving day easier.
You should also try and find things that you can dispose of. This can include anything from tarnished clothes to furniture beyond repair.
4. Set up Utilities
When your move is about a month away, it’s a good time to start setting up the utilities for your new place.
You want to ensure that everything is up and running by the time you get there. Having internet and television ready to go will keep you from having to waste data on your phone or go without internet altogether.
If you need to install new equipment, make sure that you figure that out as well. Don’t let things like the TV antenna installation cost catch you off guard.
5. Make Your Move Public
You might know you’re moving, your friends and family might know you’re moving, but businesses and the government don’t. In the weeks leading up to moving day, spend some time making all of the relevant parties aware of the fact.
Update your permanent address for your bank and any insurance companies, and make sure that the post office will forward any mail you receive to your new address. You don’t want to have to call or visit your old home to get what people send you.
You’ll also want to switch your address with the DMV, especially if your new home is going to be your permanent address.
6. Cancel or Update Subscriptions
Aside from telling public institutions about your move, make sure that you cancel or update any subscriptions you have.
If you go to a gym, cancel the membership or switch it to a new facility, if it’s a chain. If you pay for a service like the Dollar Shave Club, switch your address to avoid any interruptions to your grooming routine.
7. Ensure That Your Current Home Is Ready
By the time the move-in day rolls around, your home should be ready to go. You should have boxes and furniture lined up when the movers arrive at your home.
It might not be something you have to do, but common courtesy dictates that you clean your old place before handing it off. You want the people moving in to feel comfortable. It might also be worthwhile hiring some pest control experts as well to thoroughly check over the property to ensure the new owners are not going to get any unwanted guests. The experts will be able to humanely take care of anything from opossum removal to the removal of a wasp’s nest. This is just one more thing you can do that will really benefit you in the long run.
You’ll also want to have cash ready for the big day. You might have to tip the movers or use it for some sort of situation that arises.
8. Have the Necessities on Hand
One final tip is to have a box of necessities close by. You don’t want to pack everything and then realize that you packed something essential that you’ll need in the next 24 hours.
Pack a small box that contains everything from your wallet and passport to snacks and medications. Anything that you don’t want to have to struggle to locate should go in the box.
Throughout the moving process, keep your necessities box close by. If you need anything inside, you’ll have no problem accessing it.
Start Your New Life Right in Your New Home
Buying a home is stressful enough, but your work doesn’t end there. After you close and know that you’re moving into a new home, there are several things you have to do.
Use this guide to help you understand exactly what those things are. In doing so, you’ll be able to make the most of your new house once you get there.
Are you looking for more guides and tips that can make buying a home a breeze? If so, make sure to check out the rest of our site for more great content.