Move-in Tips

So you’ve finally found the ideal place to call home. It’s gorgeous, the right size, and the right price. All the closing paperwork is finished up and you’ve even begun the arduous process that is bringing all of your furniture and boxes to your new place. Chances are you will need a mini break every once in awhile. You likely don’t want to rest for too long because there is always more to be done and you’d like to be settled in sooner rather than later. Plus, every break seems to get longer and it always gets harder to pick yourself back up and get back to the heavy lifting. Why not make a list of small tasks that you can complete during breaks that allow for furthered productivity, but also provide some space from toting boxes up and down stairs? Here are a few things that may help you feel productive without requiring much work, as well as a few things that you may want to add to your lengthening grocery list.

It’s not a bad idea to take a stroll through your home on one of your short breaks. Check in different areas and become more familiar with the nooks and crannies that your home has. If you asked the previous owner to fix things in your contract, maybe take a minute to double check that the repairs were made. See if there are any small hole you’d like to patch that have been left behind from picture frames and thumbtacks. Figure out and mark a few places that you think you’d like to hang your photos and pieces of art. These are a few low-key tasks that can help you maintain the moving day mindset without requiring too much thought.

Another break can be spent checking out other things such as window treatments. Does your house have wooden blinds that got missed in the cleaning prior to move in day? Maybe you have blinds that need a bit of repair, or you may not have blinds at all. Depending on the room and the sleep schedule of the person using the room, curtains may be a must buy. Knowing this prior to making a shopping trip can be quite helpful as you’ll be more familiar with the type of window coverings needed. Likewise, if your blinds are a bit musty, it can be a good activity to dust and clean them while taking a break from the bigger moving activities.

If you have just moved into a home that you purchase from a previous homeowner, it’s a good idea to get new locks. This may be a precaution more for peace of mind, but having fresh locks can certainly help up the security in your new space. Completing this task may prove to be something that may take a bit more time and assistance, but if you are needing a break that takes a bit more time, installing locks can certainly provide a distraction from the rest of the day. Always remember, though, that with a new lock should likely come a few extra keys that you can hide or distribute to trusted friends and relatives. That way you don’t end up climbing up to a second story window to let yourself into your home. What a way to impress the neighbors!

Moving in can bring with it some messes and lots of times nature gets tracked in on shoes and the bottoms of boxes or furniture. If you are in need of a short rest but want to keep plugging away at fixing up the house, maybe consider cleaning drawers and shelves to prepare for when you unpack your boxes. Often shelves will get missed during cleaning (if the past homeowner cleaned prior to your moving in), so it’s not a bad idea to grab a rag and some all purpose cleaner and set to work polishing up those dusty corners. You can even pull up a chair and sit while doing cleaning some of the drawers and shelves. Though this isn’t the most glamorous job, it’ll pay off when you don’t have to wonder whether your cups are going to pick up crumbs left by a previous owner.

Some of the next things can be set up prior to move in, but often time gets away before you have a chance to get to them. In today’s world, most households have some form of internet. It’s a bit of a bummer to move from a place with established wifi and into a home where you don’t have access to your social media and cat videos. If you begin bringing stuff into your house earlier in the day, it’s not a bad idea to make your first break productive by calling the cable company and the internet company. Certain companies have different policies and not all are open 24/7. Getting in touch with them earlier could mean the difference between having a technician available to help you sooner rather than days later. While you are at it, you can contact the utilities companies and make sure that they have you listed as needed services. Not only will they appreciate that you called, but you will also thank yourself later when you have access to temperature controlled water and constant electricity. Plus, many companies allow auto-payments, so you won’t need to stress as much about missing payments.

Relocating to a new place can be a rollercoaster, but it’s often a great chance to meet new people and explore new places. Try to make the most out of your move by living in the moment and allowing yourself to appreciate the tiny perks of your new home and count the ways that you are enjoying every step. You may be surprised at how far a positive attitude will take you in your move, and how much more you can get done while on the journey.

Sources

https://www.thebalance.com/things-to-buy-after-buying-a-home-1798328

http://www.ourproperty.co.uk/guides/essentials_for_your_first_property_what_to_buy_and_when-p1.html