How to Prepare for a Move to Your New Home

Moving can feel overwhelming, whether you're going down the street or across the country. However, planning and organizing can alleviate stress and make relocating much smoother.

Making a checklist, researching your next city, and hiring help are ways to make the process more peaceful. 

It's easy to overlook things while working, trying to stay organized, and lining up goodbyes with friends and family. That's why the team at Prevu Real Estate made a list of things to stay on top of as you get ready for your move. 

How to prepare for a move

• Make a plan
• Start packing
• Hire a moving company
• Check on utilities
• Research your area
• Say goodbye

Make a plan

While you can’t anticipate every bump in the road, making a plan before engaging in the physical work can help ensure you cover most of your bases.

You’ll probably want to create a place for important paperwork in the early stages of moving. Designate a physical or digital folder for your inventory list, schedule, receipts, phone numbers, and essential documents. 

Create a schedule that begins several weeks before the moving day. Ask yourself if you need to request time off work, make special arrangements for your pets, or recruit some help from friends.

You can start with a walk-through of your home to take inventory of your belongings. Decide how you'll group and pack things, and consider labeling items by room, person, pets, or activities.

You can also map out a budget as you research moving companies, truck rentals, gas prices, food, and lodging. Budgeting is especially helpful for long distance moving when unexpected expenses can add up. 

Start packing

Begin by packing nonessential items to make space and declutter. A yard sale is the perfect way to announce your move and downsize simultaneously. 

You'll want to think of everyone's immediate needs in the household and pack a box of essentials. Think about things like a change of clothes, snacks, and toiletries for everyone.  

Consider including dishes to get you through the first few nights. Basic tools, such as a flashlight, hammer, tape, and box cutter, are also worth packing. It’s also a good idea to have cleaning supplies on hand. 

Don’t forget to label your moving boxes on the sides instead of the top so you can stack them. Label multiple sides and use large handwriting so you can quickly identify everything. 

Hire a moving company

Packing your things, loading, and unloading boxes can be tedious. Maybe you can do it yourself, but hiring movers could simplify the process. 

Moving companies are prepared with the proper safety equipment, packing supplies, and experience to relocate your valuables. If you hire a reliable company, they'll also speed up the process because they've perfected the skill. 

If you decide to go with a moving company, call around for quotes and read reviews online to ensure that you’re choosing a trustworthy service. 

You won't need to risk hurting yourself, damaging your possessions, or driving an oversized moving truck. Plus, you'll probably have the option to insure your things in case of an accident. 

With the energy you save by hiring a company, you can focus on closing details, furnishing your new home, and exploring the neighborhood if you’re moving out of town. 

Check on utilities

Depending on where you're moving to, services may be controlled by different companies. Make a checklist so you remember to transfer utilities and other services you routinely use. 

The obvious utilities are internet, gas, water, and electricity. These will cover air conditioning, heating, hot water, wifi, and television services, which are usually combined with the internet. 

If you'll be living in a stand-alone home, confirm how and on which days your trash and recycling bins are collected. Homes in rural areas may be heated by propane or oil tanks that need to be refilled, so you might want to look online or call the utility company.  

For home cleaning or lawn care service you can research the best-rated companies before arriving. If you bought your new home with a realtor, they can be an excellent resource for these inquiries if you need guidance. 

When you arrive and you’re setting up the utilities, quickly assess your new home’s smoke detectors, fuse boxes, and home security systems. It’s easy to forget these safety systems in the excitement of settling in, but it’s easiest to inspect them before unpacking.

Research your area

Whether you're in a new state or neighborhood, you'll want to know the lay of the land. This helps to prevent you from scrambling to find what you need when you’re new in town. 

Researching the locations of pharmacies, urgent care centers, post offices, and banks will ensure you can find important services. You can also research preferred grocery stores, coffee shops, restaurants, and parks to ease your transition into a new area. 

It's wise to check the hours of operation for local businesses as they may differ from your current city. After you've nailed down the hours and location of necessary places, you can explore live music venues, hikes, and popular bars. 

Say goodbye

Make time to mentally and emotionally transition from one home to another. In the bustle of transition this may seem like an unnecessary step, but the last thing you want is to arrive in a new city only to remember you didn't stop by your favorite cafe before setting sail. 

Eat at your most visited restaurants, hike the best trails, have tea with your neighbors, or throw a small party at a beloved brewery. 

It's easy to brush sentiment aside during a move, but it's important to appreciate your current home by saying goodbye.