You’ve secured the mortgage, the vendor has been paid, and you officially have the keys to your new home. Congratulations. And this is where the fun actually starts.Once the stress of buying a home is over, it’s time for you to look at making your new purchase home and turning from someone else abode to a place that is welcoming and where you will start a new chapter of your life.
But before you get comfy and start to transition your life, what do you need to do as soon as you become the new owner?
Change The Locks
You never actually know who has keys to the property or how people are accessing it. While it’s a scary thought to think someone can enter your new home using keys and you’re unaware, this issue can be resolved by changing the locks on all external openings that people might have keys to.
Before you do anything else, it’s crucial to book a locksmith to come and change the locks. This immediate action will provide you with the peace of mind that you and only you have the right keys, ensuring your home is secure from any potential intruders.
Schedule Utilities
For both your current home and your new property. You need to arrange for any utilities to be turned off and switched on and give in accurate meter readings so you’re not left paying for previous occupants’ debts, if applicable, or tariffs you shouldn’t be on. Talk to your providers or providers. If you need to change the company name, make your dates live so you have your utilities turned on and ready to move in and shut off once you vacate your current home.
Inform Necessary Parties
Once you have confirmation of a move-in date, you need to begin the process of changing your address everywhere it matters. This can be things like your driving license, insurance providers, employers, schools, doctors’ offices, etc. If you’re moving out of the area, you might need to register with new providers or change pickles, etc., but once you have keys and you’re ready to make a move, you need to start getting all of your posts, and vital information changed to reflect the move. It’s also a good idea to set up a redirect to help you catch any important documents that might get lost in the switchover so you can get all of your mail without having to double back to ask the new residents for anything that might have been delivered.
Deep Clean
Whether you do this yourself or hire third-party cleaners to clean on your behalf, take the time to deep clean the new property prior to moving in (if you’re moving without making any significant changes) and the same when you move out. This is especially important if you’re moving from rented accommodation after purchasing your own property to get your deposit back.
Arrange for a comprehensive cleaning in your new place before you move anything in. Similarly, for your old home, schedule a clean once everything is moved out. This thorough cleaning ensures that nothing is overlooked or left behind, giving you a fresh start in your new home.
Collect Important Documents
Moving can be complex and stressful, and it takes careful planning and organization to get all the parts to fall exactly into place. With this in mind, before you ask anything, collate all of your essential documents and paperwork and keep them in a safe place. It might be that you move them to a trusted loved one’s home so they don’t get lost. However, items like a passport, driving license, social security cards, etc., for the entire family should be rounded up together and kept in a safe place so you don’t lose them once the moving process begins.
Measure Up
Prior to moving any furniture, take the time to measure up all the rooms and entrances while the property is empty. This proactive step allows you to plan how your existing furniture will fit and if it can be maneuvered through the front door, ensuring a smooth transition.
If you’re aware of the dimensions of large items, such as beds and bedroom furniture, before you mov them in, you will have a better idea of how they need to be placed so that when you move in, they can be installed in the right place with minimal fuss. It can also help you understand what won’t fit and if you need to buy new furniture to make peace with anything you cannot take with you. This will go a long way towards increased organization once you move in.
Declutter
Start the decluttering process early to avoid unnecessary packing and unpacking. By getting rid of items you no longer need, you can streamline your move and ensure a fresh start in your new home.
So, while packing or before you pack, list everything you don’t want and find another life for it, or throw it out if it’s no longer useful or needed. The less you have to pack and move, the easier it will be in your new home.
Complete Repairs
Now is the ideal time to take care of any of those minor repairs the new home needs and will impact your life or your ability to move in. Creaky floorboards are more straightforward to fix before any furniture goes in, a door that needs to be rehung can be taken care of before your belongings take up space, and those faulty electrics in old homes are an urgent repair you will want to check off before moving in for peace of mind and safety once you hook up your belongings.
Moving home, especially once you complete the sale, can be busy and stressful. Preparing one home to move out from and another to make your new home can be overwhelming; however, the more organized you are, the easier it will be for you to check everything off and stay on top of things.
