When you’re moving into a new home, you want it to feel like your own. So you’ll want to get a few things in place ahead of time to make sure it’s the best it can be.
This means making repairs and upgrades to the property, such as a new roof or replacing hardwood floors. Having these things done before you move in can help to save you money later down the line, as well as give you more peace of mind.
Packing
When it comes to a home move, packing can be one of the most overwhelming and time-consuming aspects. From your furniture to your kitchen appliances to your cherished mementos, packing for a home move can feel like an endless task.
The good news is that there are a few things you can do to make your packing process easier and more efficient. First, go room by room and start by making an inventory of what you plan to pack.
This will help you determine what kind of boxes you’ll need and how much packing paper and tape you need to buy or borrow. Once you have your inventory, put everything together in a central area so you can easily find everything when it’s time to pack.
Another thing you can do to make your packing more organized is to label your boxes with a color based on the room they’ll be going in. This will help you know which box goes where and make unpacking even easier in your new home!
You can also use colored tissue or tape to wrap breakable items, such as small glassware. This will keep them safe and prevent them from breaking during the trip.
Before you start packing, do a quick clean out of your house to get rid of unnecessary items that you don’t want to move with you. This will save you a lot of time and energy during the packing process.
Once you’ve cleared out the house, it’s important to make sure you have all the packing supplies you need. This includes boxes, tape, bubble wrap, markers, a dolly, and other tools.
It’s a good idea to pack clothing you won’t be wearing in the near future, so it can save space in your boxes when the time comes to unpack. You can also pack clothes in plastic storage containers for faster and less messy packing.
In the same way, you can pack kitchen items you won’t need in the near future. This will save you a lot of stress during the move and allow you to pack only what you’ll need when it comes time to unpack.
Moving Day
Moving day is a huge milestone in the home moving process, and it can be stressful. Whether you’re hiring professional movers or a team of friends and family members to help, you want to make sure the day goes smoothly.
To avoid a lot of stress on the big day, it’s essential to plan well in advance. Start making lists of items that you need to accomplish in the weeks leading up to your move. This will allow you to be as organized as possible when the big day arrives.
One of the best things you can do is to draw up a floor plan of your new house. This will ensure that the movers know where to put each furniture piece in your new home. This will also eliminate a lot of confusion on the day of the move.
It’s also a good idea to label each item so the movers can place them where they will be most useful. You can do this by labeling them with the name of each room or by tagging them with numbers so they will know where to go.
Another important thing to do is to make a list of your belongings. This will give you an idea of how much packing material is required. Once you have this list, it’s time to get to work!
If you’re planning to use cardboard, try to reuse it. If you’re storing a lot of breakables, look for reusable plastic bins at your local hardware store or rental store. These can be labeled to be placed directly into closets once you’ve moved in.
You’ll need to make arrangements for your car if you have one, so be sure to ask your landlord or building management where the movers will park their truck. They may have spots set aside, or you can request a sign and traffic cones so that you don’t interfere with your neighbors.
The last thing you want is to have your vehicle break down in the middle of a hectic day. To avoid this, schedule an oil change or a service check before the day of your move.
Cleaning
Whether you’re moving into a new apartment or house, or selling your existing home, cleaning is an important part of the move. It helps make your new place feel like a home and may even help you get your security deposit back.
Depending on where you’re moving into, your cleaning list will vary, but most new homes should require a top-to-bottom cleaning. In addition to removing packaging materials, this includes vacuuming and dusting high-to-low, including ceiling fans, air conditioner filters and duct grilles.
You should also give bathrooms a thorough surface cleaning and sanitizing. This includes the sinks and countertops, as well as toilets and showers. You should also clean light fixtures, including light bulbs and faucets.
If your new home has carpet, consider hiring a professional to steam-clean the floors. This will remove any stains and give them a fresh appearance. It can also help protect your floors against damage caused by the movers’ trucks and furniture shifting during the move.
Another way to start your cleaning is by throwing out all food items from the refrigerator and freezer. This will prevent food flies and other bacteria from infecting your belongings. You can also use a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water to sanitize the refrigerator and freezer, which will reduce bacteria in your kitchen as well.
Once the fridge and freezer are sanitized, begin unpacking your boxes. You’ll want to start with the most perishable foods first and work your way through everything else.
During your move, you may not have time for a thorough cleaning before moving into the house. But, a quick wipe-down of the walls will get things looking nice and prepare you for unpacking your boxes.
While a thorough cleaning may seem overwhelming, it’s worth the effort if you’re going to sell your house or rent it out in the future. A spotless place can attract more potential buyers or tenants.
It’s a great idea to schedule a walk-through of your new place with a real estate agent, if possible. This will help you identify any repairs or other items that should be repaired before you move in. It will also give you the opportunity to talk with a professional about your options for your home and any potential problems.
Settling In
Settling into a new home can be a bit of a drag. After all, you’ve got to figure out the best route to work, find your favorite joe at the local grocery store and figure out where the heck your car park is at the end of the day. It’s also time to unpack the boxes and tackle any small remodeling projects you may have been putting off since the day you moved in. After all, your new home is probably the biggest thing you’ve ever owned, so it’s important to treat it like the treasure it is – and the best way to do that is with a little TLC from the get go.
Luckily, there are numerous resources available to homeowners to assist in making the process run smoothly. From clever tips and tricks to the aforementioned aforementioned movers and shakes, we’ve rounded up our best bets for making your next home move a breeze. We hope you enjoy your new abode! Be sure to let us know your favorite tips and tricks in the comments below!