Feeling overwhelmed by the thought of moving into your new home? Don’t worry—you’re not alone, and I’ve got some easy tips to help you settle in without the stress!
Moving has been a big part of my life—whether it was global, state to state, or cross-country, I’ve done it all more times than I can count! If you ask me, moving seems to have become second nature. But, no matter how many times I’ve packed up and settled in somewhere new, the process can still feel overwhelming. That’s why I’m sharing my best tips to help make your move as smooth as possible. From organizing boxes to setting up your new space, I’ve got you covered. Let’s make this move one of your easiest yet!
The Final Walk Through
The final walk-through is your last opportunity to inspect the home before completing the purchase. The goal here is to ensure the property is in the condition you agreed to, including confirming that any agreed-upon repairs have been completed. It’s also a great chance to check that nothing has changed or gone wrong since your last visit.
Depending on the size of the home, this walk-through could take anywhere from an hour to several hours. Since this is your final opportunity to address any issues before closing, take your time and don’t rush the process. After all, this is your new home—you want everything to be just right!
Specifically, you should do the following:
- Check the faucets for leaks.
- Flush the toilets.
- Inspect and label the circuit breaker.
- Run hot water to test the water heater.
- Test the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Test the outlets.
- Turn on all the lights and appliances.
If you notice any new issues, document them and raise your concerns with the seller/realtor.
Being Prepared With Basic Tools
Being prepared with a few basic tools will help you tackle any minor repairs or adjustments that might pop up in your new home. If you already have your own tools, that’s great—just keep them easily accessible during the move. For those who don’t, having a simple toolkit can make a big difference in handling unexpected issues without the stress of hunting for supplies. Whether you’re moving in solo or with family, it’s always handy to have tools ready for those quick fixes.
Start With A Clean Slate
Before you even unpack a single box, you should make sure your new place is as clean as possible; the last thing you want to do is to move in somewhere that’s dirty and then put all your things on top of that dirt.
Ideally, the last people will have cleaned everything up – it’s the right thing to do – but just in case, or to be on the safe side, a deep clean is never a bad idea. It’s going to depend on how you’re moving and how much time you’ve got, but it could be that you hire cleaners to go in before you get there and make everything spick and span. Otherwise you’ll need to do it yourself as you go along.
Unpack Essentials First
When you move into a new home, it’s easy to feel the urge to unpack everything immediately, but that can be exhausting, especially after a long day. Instead, focus on the essentials first: your bedding, kitchen basics, and toiletries. Start by setting up your bed so you have a comfortable spot to relax. Then, unpack a few key kitchen items like plates, utensils, a coffee maker, and a pot or pan so you can easily prepare a meal or make a cup of tea without rummaging through boxes.
Once you’ve got the basics set up, you can take a bit more time unpacking and organizing the rest of your stuff – when you’re not rushing, you can really think about where everything’s going to go and make your new home exactly how you want it to be.
Inspect The Important Things
While you’re busy unpacking, don’t forget to give the house a quick inspection and check that all the utilities are working properly, like lights, electricity, plumbing, and your HVAC system. Moving in a house where any of these things are faulty can make the whole process a lot harder and more stressful than it needs to be, so if you spot any problems, it’s best to get them dealt with sooner rather than later.
Rather than trying to tackle problems yourself, it’s best to focus on getting your new home ready to enjoy and hire professionals to repair your AC or fix the plumbing for you. And don’t try to put the jobs off either because they’ll usually become much worse if you do, and that’s going to cause more problems and cost more to fix, which is the last thing you want to deal with after moving house.
Conclusion
Moving into a new home can be both exciting and overwhelming, but with a little preparation and focus on the essentials, you can make the transition smoother. By tackling the final walk-through, unpacking strategically, and keeping basic tools handy, you’ll be ready to settle in comfortably and handle any minor issues that come your way. Whether you already have your own toolkit or need to pick one up, being prepared will make your new home feel more like *your* home in no time. “Welcome Home”
Ready to make your move stress-free?** Check out these affordable toolkits and essentials to help you get started on the right foot!
Before You Go
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