DOWNLOAD OUR MOVE CHECKLIST
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW HOUSE!
Moving into a new home is exciting and worth celebrating. But, no matter if it’s your first home or your fourth, moving can also be stressful. You are anxious to start life in your new home, but there is a lot to be done before you feel ready to move from one address to the next. If you don’t stay organized, the whole process can be overwhelming.
However, with some planning and organization, your move-in can be hassle-free. We have compiled the ultimate moving checklist for your new home. So let’s get started. After all, those boxes won’t unpack themselves.
YOUR MOVING CHECKLIST
Starting is always the hardest part, so here is a moving checklist that covers the essentials before you move into your new home.
PREPARE
- Save everyone a lot of time and energy by deciding where you want furniture to be placed in your new home. Draw a layout to help visualize where everything will go, allowing those helping you move to place the right item in the right room the first time around. Use photos from the listing, blueprints (if available), or video from your walk-through.
- Before you begin packing, put all of your important documents and essential items in one designated area. Create a folder for items such as passports, birth certificates, and social security cards.
- Separate items that need to be easily accessible. Items such as paper plates, paper towels, and toilet paper. Pack a couple of suitcases like you are going on a trip. Include items such as toiletries, a few days’ worths of clothes, and even towels and an air mattress. Doing these things will ensure your first nights in your new home go smoothly.
TRANSFER UTILITIES
To ensure everything is up and running when you arrive, transfer all your utilities before moving into your new home, including the internet and cable, water, gas, and electricity. This will also help guarantee there are no lapses or overages in billing charges. Feel free to ask the utility company what the average monthly cost was for the previous owners (if applicable) so you can get an idea of the cost to help with budgeting.
UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS
Notify all the right people about your change in address. Companies to notify include your bank, insurance providers, work, and the DMV. You can also easily forward your mail through USPS for a short period of time.
TAKE PHOTOS
Take extra precautions when moving valuable items by taking photos of their condition before movers arrive. Doing so will allow you to breathe easily as well as help you spot any areas where damage may have occurred during the move.
SCHEDULE A DEEP CLEAN
Scheduling a deep clean to go over every nook and cranny before moving furniture in will ensure your home is ready for you. Even if it looks clean, chances are the previous owner was just as stressed about moving as you are now, so they may have missed a few spots. A sparkling home allows you to move in, not wondering when the last time the tub was cleaned.
YOUR NEW HOME CHECKLIST
You have officially made the move. There is so much to do. But where to start? Here is a new home checklist to get you started.
STOCK YOUR FRIDGE
One of the first things you need to help you unpack is sustenance. Stock your fridge and freezer with easily accessible snacks and drinks. Think bottled water, eggs, sandwich fixins, and frozen casseroles.
RECRUIT FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO HELP UNPACK
This is where you can tell who your true friends are. Friends who are willing to help you unpack are friends you want to keep. It doesn’t hurt to entice them with food and drinks. When it comes to unpacking, the more the merrier. Make it as easy as possible on those helping by having things packed and organized by room before they arrive. After everything is unpacked, ask for a tour of the room so you know where everything is!
SAFE PROOF YOUR HOME
Even if the previous owner said they left you all of their keys, to be on the safe side change all your locks. This even includes basement, garage and gate keys.
If you plan to install a home security system, do this now. If there is already a system in place from the previous owners, call the home security company and let them know you are the new owners, updating all information for your family.
Install or test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your new home. If there is any question they are in working order, they can easily be replaced. Don’t forget to test them on a monthly basis to ensure they are still functioning properly. This is a sure way to keep you and your loved ones safe.
GET TO KNOW YOUR HOUSE
There are few things scarier than water overflowing in your home and not knowing how to quickly shut it off. While most home inspectors can show you where the shut-off valve and circuit breaker are located, if they didn’t do this during the home inspection, it is imperative to locate them as soon as you move in. While they aren’t used often, when they are, they usually need to be accessed quickly.
RUN ALL APPLIANCES
During your unpacking process, begin to run all your appliances making sure they are in working order. Turn on the stove and oven letting them both warm-up, test both the heater and the air conditioner, run the hot and cold water, flush all toilets, and turn on any fans. Look for signs something isn’t operating properly. While not always an easy fix, it is better to become aware of any issues immediately so you don’t have any surprises later.
THROW A HOUSEWARMING PARTY
After all, you have earned it.
MOVING TO LAKESIDE AT TESSERA
Though moving can be stressful, living at Lakeside at Tessera in Lago Vista is worth it. Situated just 40 minutes outside of Austin and on the shores of Lake Travis, Lakeside at Tessera is the perfect place to live no matter your season of life. Explore our site today to find your dream home!