Your Moving Day Checklist

Blog posted On May 24, 2018

Congratulations on your new home!  It’s been a busy buying and selling season and after a hectic home search, there is nothing more satisfying then finally getting the keys to your new home.  While you’ve certainly completed a final home inspection and walk-through with your real estate team, there are a few things you might not have thought of yet.

Remember these top tips for a stress-free moving day.

1. Turn on Utilities – if you are moving locally, this could be an easy transfer from your previous residence. Make sure gas, water, electrical, trash, and sewer are turned on and, in your name, before you start the move. The same goes for cable and internet, especially if you’re going to be using any connected security or smart home systems that require WiFi connection.  Moving without lights or air conditioning can be problematic. 

2. Change the Locks – especially when you move into a previously owned home, you have no idea how many people have copies of the keys. A home visit from a locksmith typically costs around $100.

3. Plug in Appliances – is your refrigerator running? When you start moving, it’s a good idea to plug in the refrigerator well before you buy groceries to make sure it has a chance to cool down. Check your other appliances as well.  Depending on how long the home has been unoccupied, the appliances may have been unplugged and out of use for a considerable amount of time. 

4. Update Your Mailing Address – most likely, you can update your mailing address for bank accounts and credit card statements online. It’s also a good idea to forward your mail from your old address to your new one so you don’t miss important bills or correspondence. This can be done at your local post office. 

5. Put the Beds Together FIRST – everything else can wait. You’re excited to set up your furniture and find a place for everything, but you don’t want to wait until the movers have left to realize your bed isn’t put together and you have nowhere to sleep. Put the beds together first, and then move on to the rest of the furniture.

6. Order In – the day you move in is not the best day to cook – especially if you forget to turn on the utilities or plug in the refrigerator! Plan ahead and pick out a local pizza place or take-out restaurant and treat yourself once all the moving is done for the day.

Moving into a new home is an exciting experience, planning ahead makes the move even better.  Use this Moving Day Checklist to make sure you don’t miss the little things.

Sources: The Balance