According to Move.org, about 43 million Americans move every year. There is a lot to consider when you’re moving to a new home, and this can make it a pretty stressful process. In fact, a survey of 1,000 Americans found that moving to a new home is the most stressful event in life. The survey, conducted by OnePoll, found 45% of respondents say moving is by far the most stressful event in life, followed by going through a breakup or divorce, and getting married. And while we often consider moving steps like packing and unpacking to be the only major things to focus on, it’s actually the steps you take after moving into a new home that is really important as well. Understanding your home and how it functions, prioritizing what needs to be done, and assuming your role as a homeowner will help you take the steps to enjoy your new home. Read on to know some of these steps to do when first moving in to avoid missing anything essential and adding more stress to your moving process.

Change Your Address and Your Locks

Before moving to a new home, put in a change in address at the post office. Whether you’re moving permanently or temporarily, it is recommended to change your address at least two weeks before moving day. This helps you get all of the mail you need. To let the post office know you are going to change your address and want your mail forwarded to your new location, you have two options: going online or going in person.

Also, remember to notify others of your move as well, like friends and family, technology services, your bank, and any loan providers you have. You’re going to want to make sure any statements and bills are sent to the right place. The IRS will need to be made aware of your new place so that your tax information remains current. You’re also going to need to contact your department of motor vehicles to arrange for a new driver’s license if you have moved to a new state. Changing your address with health, dental, and life-related insurance will help ensure you’re covered in your new city or state.

Next up, is changing your locks on your new home, which is always a recommended practice. There are too many risks that come with keeping your new home’s lock as is. How many key duplicates do people have of your new place? You can assume there is at least one, which can be a problem. Even if you’re not concerned about someone being able to unlock your doors, you never know who might have a key. Another reason to change your locks is insurance. If someone steals from you and your insurance doesn’t see signs of forced entry, you will not be able to claim anything. This is definitely a moving tip where it’s better to be safe than sorry. You can call a locksmith or replace the locks yourself. You can also set up a security system too. Modern alarm security systems provide the ability to monitor the activities happening on your property when you are away. It is a relatively affordable way to have better peace of mind about your safety.

Set Up Your Utilities

The next important moving tip is to try and set up your utilities in advance. Unless this is your first move, you’ve probably gone through the process of determining how to set up utilities before. First, determine who your providers are because the utility providers for your new home may be different than the providers for your last home. Call these services to explain your situation and what you need to be done. Before actual move-in day is the time to make sure that everything is ready to go and working properly. Try and give your utility providers as much notice as you can, especially if they need to come out and set up service manually. But then on moving day, make sure that your electric, gas, heating and cooling, phone, and internet are set up and working properly. Additionally, call to set up a local garbage pick-up service if necessary.

Get Moving Help

In many moving situations, you should get help moving. This could mean some family or friends or a professional service. Deciding whether to hire professionals or move on your own largely depends on your budget, the distance of the move, the complexity of the move, and your personality and capabilities. Moving all of your stuff and heavy furniture can have a significant strain on you, especially if there are stairs or other obstacles. Professional movers can also make the process much more efficient. Moving trucks can also be difficult to drive.

If you are deciding to go with the professional moving service route, help avoid moving scams and rip-offs by using those who are insured and have good reviews. Also, make sure that the moving company performs either an in-person inspection or a video survey of your home before giving you a quote. Whether you get assistance from someone you know or a moving service, getting any type of help will make a ton of difference in your moving process.

Deep Clean

After a long and tiring day of moving, cleaning is probably something you won’t be too excited about. However, it is much easier to clean right away before moving and organizing. Cleaning an empty home can be done easily and quickly. Hopefully, the house is already pretty clean, but without any furniture or belongings getting in the way, you will be able to get a real deep clean. There is almost certainly dirt and grime hiding in obvious and hidden places that got missed.

Start by airing out your unit — open all the doors and windows and run fans to route clean, fresh air in an old, stale air out. The best place to start your move-in cleaning is in the bathroom. You will probably want to use it during move-in, so it is a logical place to clean first. Additionally, the kitchen is essential to cleaning a house before moving in because a lot of odors can be trapped there, and it is good to eliminate them right away. Next up are the little areas, clean ceiling fans or light fixtures that could have been neglected, wipe the wall trim and moldings, clean the vents, and dust the cabinets. This is a great time to thoroughly clean the floors, both hardwood and carpets.

If you just don’t have the time or inclination to stick on your cleaning gloves and grab a mop right now, consider calling in professional cleaners instead. Moving into your new home in a clean state is more than worth it.

Prioritize Repairs

Unless you are moving into a brand-new home with no previous owners, chances are you’re going to have at least some repair projects. You should know what these are already from your home inspection, but you should also give your home a good look to determine what things you would like done as well. You don’t necessarily need to get to work on these repairs right away, so don’t get too stressed, but it helps to make a list of these things. First, make two basic lists: “Need To Do” and “Want To Do”. The difficult part is knowing what needs immediate attention, what can wait a while, and also–how long it can wait.

It’s not a bad idea to plan some home services improvement jobs that will increase the resale value of your home. If you are wondering where to begin first, experts agree that choosing to remodel your kitchen or bathroom first is traditionally the smartest move. A little preparation and understanding of home renovation projects help when you are ready to begin.

It may seem like all of the preparation went into the set-up for the move, but it’s not over just yet. The minute you walk into your new home, your mind will be racing with to-dos. Moving can be overwhelming on its own, let alone moving into a new house. Follow these tips for moving to a new home to help the process go smoother. For more information on moving to a new home, contact us at Craig Van Lines today.

Steps to Remember When Moving to a New Home