Moving home is a big decision and there are a lot of things that need to be considered before taking that first step. Besides having to pack, resell or move your belongings, you also have to ensure that your home is left in a good condition.
There’s also the aspect of disconnecting important utility services in your old home and reconnecting them in your new home. This is to make sure that you don’t accidentally pay for utilities to a house that is no longer yours. Among other things, the moving process is ultimately not the easiest of procedures. There are a ton of things to consider and it can be hard to stay on track. To help reduce the tension a little, here are a few tips that will put you on the right track:
#1 Sort out utilities
Since this is at the top of the list, you might want to take this with all seriousness. That said, ensure that you thoroughly run through your services and utilities before you move. Take a look at everything from your gas, water, electricity, internet, cable TV, and many more services that you might be actively subscribed to.
When you disconnect these services from your old home and reconnect them with your new place, you’ll have peace knowing that you won’t be paying for services you won’t get to use. Additionally, when you move, it’s advisable to set up the phone and internet services as soon as you can. This is because they usually take longer than all the utilities and you wouldn’t want to be cut off from the rest of the world.
#2 Organise packing and cleaning
Packing is an important part of the moving process. For relative ease, you might want to pack in such a way that they are ready and easy to move. All you have to do is sort, arrange and pack your things in an organized fashion. Additionally, you should pack fragile items with more discretion than your other belongings to avoid breakage during the move.
One other aspect you need to consider is getting the house all cleaned up. Thoroughly scrub the inside and outside of the house, and get rid of items you no longer need. This way, you’ll be leaving the house in good condition for the next occupant and also increasing the property value for sales.
If the workload is too much for you to handle, you can make use of moving services such as Muval which will make at least part of the moving process easier.
#3 Double your keys
Once you’re given the keys to your new home, ensure that you immediately double your keys. Usually, you get your keys when you’ve paid for your home or signed a lease. Once the keys get in your possession, ensure that you cut them and get a spare key as well. This will make you rest assured that you won’t get locked out of your house at any point in time.
#4 Redirect your mail and share your new address
It is not uncommon for people to forget to redirect their mails. Even though most mails are delivered digitally today, you’ll still have items that are sent to your home. To avoid confusion, ensure that your bank and your shopping services are updated about your mailing address. It is also important that you learn how to change your credit card billing address.
Another area to consider is reaching out to other parties that should know about your new address. Make sure that your family and friends know your address.
#5 Pack a first night bag
The final thing to consider before moving homes is to pack essentials that you’ll need on the first night of your move. Keep your toiletries within close reach so you won’t have to start digging into your other belongings.
Have it in mind that it can take a while to move your things to your new home, so it’s a good idea to stay prepared and keep all your essentials within reach.
Moving home can be a dicey process, however, you can find easy ways to go around it. With these five steps, you’ll no doubt have a breezy time starting life in your new home!
Feature image: Image by Nina Garman from Pixabay
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