Moving In: 5 Things To Tackle First

Moving to a new home can be very exciting, especially if you are a first-time homeowner; however, that enthusiasm can soon be extinguished.  Moving from one place to another requires more than just packing up your belongings and picking out decorating schemes.  Check out our moving in tips to figure out what needs to be done right away and what can wait until later.

Let Everyone Know

Unless you are in the witness protection program, before you move into your new home be sure to let people know.  This not only includes your child’s school, doctors and even neighbors, but the postal system, insurance companies and any subscriptions you may have.  To ensure uninterrupted delivery of your mail fill out a change of address card so your mail will be automatically forwarded.  This is very important to keep your bills from being lost, leaving you collecting high late fee charges.  In addition, enrolling your child into their new school is paramount prior to your move to ensure your child has an easy transition.

Lights and Telephone

A couple of days before your big move, have your utilities, landline telephone and cable installed into your new home.  There’s nothing more frustrating than arriving at your new location only to find yourself without any electricity.  While you are at it, having the cable company, telephone and internet service ready and waiting will save you the frustration of going without.

Window Coverings and Safety

After you purchase your new home, you will want to take the window measurements and have, either new curtains, or something equally as large to cover the main windows.  This not only gives you privacy, but it keeps potential burglars from seeing into your home.  Along the same lines of safety, be sure to change all the locks on the doors prior to moving in – you have no idea how many copies of your house keys could be floating around out there.

Stay Legal

If your move takes you to a new state or country, you will want to get your driver’s license changed over to keep you legal on the roads. While you are at it, you can also fill out your voter’s registration forms.  Doing these “small” things now saves you time and frustration down the road.

Organize Your Paperwork

Keep all your important papers for your home and insurance handy.  If anything happens with your house you will need to have these papers.  Keep all your important documents together in a large, well-marked envelope or file folder.  This is also a good idea if you have school-aged children to enroll into school.  Most schools require medical records before enrollment so keep them accessible and ready-to-go.

Unless you are having guests over, don’t worry about your decorating.  This can be done at your leisure.  Having your change of address/license, safety measures and utilities hooked up are the most important things you should be focused on prior to your move or as soon as possible after you move in.