A Guide to Moving into Your First Home, Part 1

Closing on your first home is a very special time and the excitement is only just beginning. After you have solidified ownership of a new house it's time to move in. While moving can be stressful, you can ease your anxiety and worry by taking a few precautionary steps, developing a method for your big move and knowing how to turn the house you just purchased into a place you can call home.

Cutting Down Your Belongings

Before you move, it is important to make the process as simple as possible. Even if you are moving to a larger space, it is sometimes necessary to get rid of some of your current belongings. You may have outgrown certain items or some things may be too difficult to move. Take inventory of all of your possessions and decide what you need and what items you can get rid of.

You might have to throw certain belongings out, but some may still be in good condition. Consider donating extra possessions or holding a garage sale to get a little extra cash to pay for additional moving expenses or to put toward decorating your new home.

Hiring Movers

When you move to a new home it can alleviate a great deal of stress to hire professional movers instead of packing up all of your belongings and relocating them yourself. Especially if you have heavier furniture and a high number of belongings, it will be well worth the cost to hire someone and make your move easier.

Before hiring a moving company, ask your friends, neighbors, coworkers, real estate agent and family for recommendations. Real Simple noted that these individuals will likely give you an honest review of different companies and can help you narrow down your list of potential movers. If you meet with a company, also consider asking if you can speak with previous clients who paid for services in the past.

Have a professional from prospective moving companies come to your current home and give you an estimate. Make sure that you show him or her everything that you plan to move. This is crucial to get the most accurate estimate for a cost.

Once you decide on a moving company that you can trust and falls in line with your budget, make sure you establish a moving date and get the names and contact numbers for the individuals who will be moving you.

On the day of the big move, Apartment Therapy recommended having a few things on hand for your movers. Items like bottled water and cash for tips can help incentivize their productivity. Also print directions to your new home to help ensure that they are less likely to get lost and your move can remain on schedule.

Before Your Big Move

According to Style at Home, there are a few things you should do before moving to your new home. Especially if this is your first home, some of the necessary phone calls and tasks may seem a little overwhelming.

HouseLogic noted that you should change the locks to your new home before you move in. Previous owners, real estate agents and other individuals may have copies of the keys and ultimately be able to access your home. Hire a locksmith or buy and install new locks to help bolster the security in your home.

You should also make phone calls to ensure that your utilities are up and running. Consider asking your new neighbors or real estate agent who to call for water, electricity, gas, cable and internet.

You may have to have equipment serviced as well. Forbes noted that it is especially important to arrange this for your heating and cooling systems.

If you have children or plan to start a family, check out the local schools and reach out to the principals for more information. Find out when enrollment begins and ask any questions you may have regarding academics or extra curricular activities.

In addition to making arrangements at your new home, you will need to complete a few tasks at your current residence to ensure a smooth move. According to Style at Home, it is crucial to clean your current residence as much as possible. Clean your oven, refrigerator and any other appliances that you may not normally wash. Also make sure to call and turn off your water, electricity, gas, cable and internet at your current location. You can schedule them to be terminated whenever is convenient for you. Make sure you write down the dates and times to know when these services will no longer be available.

Food is difficult to move. Make sure that you eat all of the food you currently have and avoid going to the grocery store unless necessary. Try to plan your meals out one or two weeks before your moving date to ensure that you do not have to buy or throw out and waste any groceries.