A New Home Checklist: Things To Do Before You Move
Organizing a successful move into a new home can be quite a challenge. After all, moving can often create a list of never-ending chores, making the process stressful or laborious. Yet, with a little preparation, you can handle the task with ease and complete it quickly.
As a mortgage expert, I have noticed many of my clients have gone through a stressful phase while moving into their new home. To ease their problems and anxiety, I’ve created a handy checklist to help organize a hassle-free move into their new residence. To learn how to manage your stress when moving, follow my checklist of things to do before moving into a new home. It not only helps you stay efficient but also encourages you to enjoy the moving process.
1. Purge or decluttering of old items
Before you plan to move into your newly purchased home, take this as an opportunity to declutter or purge items of your former home so that you let go of things you no longer need. The first step to successful decluttering is arming yourself with a donation bag. As you go through your closet, fill it up with attire you no longer use. The next step is cleaning out the pantry and taking note of the items that are due to expire. Keep in mind to go through every cupboard in every room and list out the things you want to keep and what you can live without.
2. Decide whether you need a mover
If you’re planning on paying a mover, you’ll need to do your due diligence and research the different moving companies available in your area. Get a few quotes and find out precisely what their services include. In case you don’t intend to hire professionals to help with the move, make sure you reach out to friends and family with as much notice as possible to ensure they’re able (and willing) to assist you.
3. Buy packing supplies before you move
Make sure you’re not scrambling to get boxes and moving containers at the last minute. Moving supplies such as boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape are must-haves before moving. You need to ensure that you source these items well ahead of time to avoid delaying the move or damaging your belongings during the move.
4. Restore access to essential services
You want to make sure that your life can resume and continue as usual upon moving into your new home. To achieve this, you’ll need to make a few calls to your cable, internet, and home phone connection providers in advance to have these services set up in time for your move-in date.
5. Take time off from work
Depending on the number of people you have helping you with your move, it will likely take a few days to move your belongings, unpack, and get settled in. Even if your move is happening on the weekend, you want your new house to feel like a home! So if you’re able to take an extra day or two off work to allow you more time to organize and settle in, take advantage of that.
6. Change your utility providers
It’s so important to call your utility providers and let them know in advance that you’re moving. Sometimes it can mean canceling your services with your existing provider and setting up your services with a new one. Either way, you want to ensure that you have water, gas, hydro, etc. set up and ready to use when you’ve moved in. In some cases, a technician may need to be brought to the house to turn certain services on, so I recommend you call them a week to two weeks before you move in to avoid any delays.
7. Change of Address
Missing important mail after moving can cause some serious problems. To ensure nothing slips through the cracks, file a change of address with Canada Post. You can also set up mail forwarding, which will automatically redirect your mail to your new address for a set period.
Most importantly, don’t forget to update your address with your banks, employer, insurance providers, credit card companies, and any other institution that sends you mail correspondences.
8. Change your locks
Getting the keys to your new place is exciting, but you can’t be sure of who else might also still have copies of the keys. Previous owners, old tenants, and possibly even some of your new neighbors may have duplicates or spare sets. To protect yourself, it’s always a best practice to order replacement locks ahead of time.
If you have any concerns about moving or purchasing a new property or need help in obtaining a mortgage, reach out to Mortgages By Erin. As an experienced mortgage broker in Toronto, ON, I will provide you with expert advice and knowledge on situations you might need solutions for. I am committed and passionate while guiding you throughout your mortgage journey.
To learn more about my services, please click here. If you have any questions for me, I’d love to hear from you. Contact me here.