Did you know that approximately 43 million Americans move every year? While moving into a new home is an adventure, it is also something that is time-consuming and often stressful. In fact, many Americans rate moving among top life stressors like divorce.
Moving does not have to be an overwhelming process, all you need is the right tips for moving into your first home. Keep reading to find out the top tips for moving into your first home.
Find a Great Moving Company
One of the best tips for moving into your first home is to choose a reliable and reputable moving company to transport your belongings. Whether you are moving locally or long-distance, professional assistance is the key to a smooth and seamless relocation.
Budget is an important consideration when choosing a moving company, but if a price seems too good to be true, it probably is. When you are looking for professional movers, you want to take the time and do your due diligence.
Contact at least three companies to compare quotes before making a final decision, and be wary of companies who will provide a quote over the phone without seeing your items. One of the greatest tips for moving into your first home is to find movers that will come to your current location and provide you with an estimate there. It is easier for them to be precise and accurate with an estimate if they see the full scope of what they are going to be moving for you.
Once you have your moving company choices narrowed down, be sure to ask questions and check any fine print. The last thing you want is to find a surprise hidden fee on your bill. To help you decide on a moving company, you can check online review sites, ask for recommendations from people you trust, or check with previous clients as references for companies you are considering. Because choosing the right moving company is one of the most important tips for moving into a new home, you will also want to check that the company is properly licensed and insured before you sign a contract.
Consider a Self-Storage Unit
Moving is hard work. Between all of the packing, cleaning, and coordinating, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. Some experts who offer tips for moving into your first home suggest using a storage facility on a short-term basis as you move.
Why is this helpful?
There are several reasons that self-storage can be helpful as you prepare to move. If you are selling a home or apartment, you or your real estate agent may need to conduct multiple showings. The most successful showings are with homes that contain just enough personal items that a potential buyer could imagine living there, but you do not want the place to be cluttered or too full. Packing personal items like photos, art, and other decor pieces and keeping them in storage can help potential buyers picture the home as their own and make it more attractive.
Another reason why a self-storage unit is one of the most helpful tips for moving into your first home is that doing so allows you to pack at your own pace. Having boxes packed up and in storage before your move makes it easier to deep clean your space before moving out, and it gives you some wiggle room when moving into your new home.
Get Some Preliminary HVAC Work Done
When thinking about tips for moving into your first home, getting work done prior to moving in is always a good idea. If you are getting ready for your move during the summer, you have probably already checked to make sure the air conditioning system is working, but do you know whether the furnace is in good condition?
You do not want to find yourself without heat in the event of a surprisingly early winter, so if you need HVAC services, it is a good idea to arrange for them to happen before you move.
Take a walk through your home and be sure the check the vents. Check that all the levers and doors are working and that the vents are distributing air evenly. You can also have a professional come in to perform a maintenance check to give you peace of mind that everything is working as it should be.
Change Your Locks
It might seem like one of the most obvious tips for moving into your first home, but homeowners often forget to have the locks changed. With everything that there is to do during a relocation, it can be easy to overlook calling a local locksmith, but changing the locks, also known as rekeying the locks, is an important thing to do in order to keep your property secure.
When you move into a new home, you have no way of knowing how many people had access to the property before you. Even if the homeowners right before you rekeyed the locks, they may have made copies for friends and relatives. If you cannot have a locksmith change all of the locks either before or immediately after moving in, secure the entry doors with a deadbolt as a stopgap measure.
As you have the locks on your home changed, make sure you ask your locksmith to also change the locks to any fences, sheds, garages, or other structures on the property.
Line Up Home Improvement Projects
Moving in and of itself can be exhausting and even if you have the best of intentions for home renovation projects, you might find yourself delaying projects. Rather than finding yourself with an unfinished bathroom a year after you move in, make a plan for any projects you want to achieve before you actually begin your move. You do not have to plan your home improvement projects down to the last detail, but having a general idea of what renovations need to be made can help you decide which ones to prioritize and which ones can wait.
Some of the most common home remodeling projects include kitchens and bathrooms, but you may also want to consider replacing outdated windows or doors. These cost-effective renovations can help you improve the energy efficiency of your home, helping to lower heating and cooling costs.
Make Sure Your Garage is Usable
Having a garage is such a luxury, but your garage will only benefit you if it is usable. When thinking about tips for moving into your first home, do not forget your garage. If the garage door makes an unusual amount of noise, opens and lowers unevenly, or is otherwise difficult to operate, you might want to call in a professional garage door company.
One of the greatest things about having a garage is that the possibilities for its use are nearly endless. Most often, homeowners use garages as a space to park cars and store outdoor tools and lawn care items, but those are far from the only uses.
If you have always wanted a home gym, why not convert your garage into one? You could use as much or as little space as you want, leaving room for storage and a car, as well as a home gym area. Tips for moving into your first home are not limited to just making sure everything works properly, they exist to help you find maximum enjoyment in your investment. Maybe a home gym is not your thing, but a game room is. A pool table, dartboard, and some comfy couches can transform your garage into a fun and relaxing game and entertainment room.
No matter what you plan on using your garage for, you do need it to be functional, so if there are adjustments that need to be made, do so either before moving in or as soon as you are able following your move.
Plan Your Backyard
The interior of your home is not your only living space. Turn your backyard into a beautiful outdoor oasis by doing a bit of planning prior to your move. If you have pets, particularly pets that go outdoors, fence installation is something you might want to have done before you move. If you are unable, prioritize a fence installation for shortly after your move.
You can plan for a vegetable garden or a small backyard pond, or you can do something as simple as making a plan for routine lawn maintenance, like getting tree trimming services. Your home is most likely the largest investment you will make during your life, so you want to be sure that you love every part of it, both inside and out.
Get Your Driveway Smoothed Out
You might not initially think about your driveway when you are looking for tips for moving into your first home, but paving your driveway is a great idea. In addition to providing your home with an immediate boost in curb appeal, paving your driveway can help protect it.
Your driveway is constantly exposed to the elements, and some erosion is bound to happen, but a paved driveway will be far more durable than one that is untreated. If you are looking for a cost-effective solution that delivers maximum strength, durability, and beauty, asphalt paving is an ideal choice.
Why asphalt?
If you live somewhere that experiences extreme heat, cold, or both, your driveway will contract and expand. Over time, this can lead to cracking and crumbling, leaving your driveway looking worse for the wear. Asphalt is a naturally flexible substance that will expand and contract without damage.
For helpful tips for moving into your first home, you can go a step further than just paving your driveway. You can have a professional, or a handy friend or relative, apply a protective sealant to your driveway. This treatment can be repeated every few years and will help your driveway resist chemical spills, stains, abrasions, and more.
Take Care of Pets Before Moving Day
Moving is stressful, but at least you have the benefit of knowing what is happening to you. When it comes to tips for moving into your first home, do not forget about your pets. They are likely to begin to worry when they see boxes, but there are a number of things that you can do to help them ease into this experience.
As you are packing your home, you might want to try to keep your pets out of the room you are packing up. Not only does this ensure you will not have an animal underfoot at all times, but it can lessen their anxiety to be away from the noise and confusion of packing.
If you are moving locally, you might want to consider asking a family member or friend if they would be able to take your pets on your actual moving day. Between carrying boxes in and out of your old and new homes, there is a high risk of a scared animal darting out of an open door. Some veterinarians recommend taking your pet to see its new home prior to the move, but that is not always possible. If you are unable to visit your new home with your pet, introduce it to the new space slowly. Experts recommend picking one quiet location and then bringing your pet into that space first. Keep its toys, food, and water in this safe area, and allow your pet to familiarize itself with your new space one room at a time.
Another thing to consider is pest control. Even if you do not have a visible problem, calling in professional pest control experts as you move into a new home is a good idea. If all of your neighbors have treated homes and you do not, you could find yourself with an unexpectedly large infestation of ants, beetles, or other pesky insects.
When you are looking for tips for moving into your first home, one you might not find on tons of lists is to have fun. Sure, moving is a ton of work and it can be stressful and overwhelming at times, but remember that relocation is a brand new adventure and it is one that you want to be able to enjoy.