Last week, we talked about the Home Buying Checklist. Once you’ve done that and found the home of your dreams, it’s on to the exciting part – moving in! This can be very overwhelming if you’re not clear on what’s involved. This guide will help you create a clear, organized moving plan so that you can get settled more quickly.

• Get organized early. The earlier you start getting a plan together regarding your move, the less stressed you’ll be when the time comes. It’s good to give yourself about a month to get prepared before you move. Prepare a checklist from week to week with what you want to get done.
• Create a strategy. Consider the logistics of your move. Are you going to hire a professional moving company, or are you going to rent a truck and handle everything yourself? It’s completely up to you but it’s something that should be considered before you start planning.
• Pack everything up. Moving is a great opportunity to get rid of anything you don’t use anymore so as to make the move lighter and the unpacking easier. Packing room-by-room is a good idea so you can unpack accordingly in your new home. To pack properly, you’ll need sturdy cardboard boxes, tape, a marker (for labelling), newspaper, and bubble wrap.
• Keep an inventory. It’s wise to record exactly what items go in each box incase something goes missing or gets damaged in the move. Doing so can also make unpacking easier, as you’ll know exactly where to find everything.
• Conduct a final walkthrough. When you purchase a new property, you’ll need to do a final walkthrough before you sign the papers and begin moving in. Builders like Coral Homes recommend a careful inspection of your new home top to bottom. If anything is wrong, discuss these items that need to be addressed prior to moving in.
• Move in! Load your truck and head to your new home. Have a box of moving day essentials packed with things like tea/coffee, toilet paper, soap and other essentials that you may need as soon as you get in the new house.
• Set up your utilities. Make sure you have your electricity, gas, and water, transferred into your name so that you are billed accordingly. In addition, set up a time for your cable and internet service provider to come out and set everything up for you.

Moving can be a stressful event, but it doesn’t have to be! Use these tips to make the day you move simpler. Best of luck in your new home!