Buying a new house is definitely a pleasant experience, and most people who move to a new place are usually super excited. However, moving to a new house can be a stressful process.
Even when everything seems to be going well, one thing that cannot be completely eliminated is the stress of moving to a new house. The process also takes too much time sometimes, and most people need enough time for preparation when planning to relocate.
In general, there is always something to figure out. That’s why in this blog post we will share key things you need to know before moving to a new house. By the end of this post, you’ll have all the information required before settling into your latest residence.
Keep reading!
You may also like to read: 8 Non-Negotiable Rules for House Buying That You Must Know
#1. Check the Amenities
No new place will feel like one if amenities like electricity, gas, and water are not available.
Before the big move, ask the real estate agent if these amenities are in place. If not, request everything be fixed as soon as possible.
An effective way to avoid any surprises is to hire professionals, such as a plumber, to come check the place with you. The whole process will take less time and, more importantly, will be more efficient.
Some of the things you should also pay great attention to are light fittings, oven, carpets, smoke detectors, windows, cabinets, air filters, doors, and power sockets. It is best these things are fixed first before you move in.
For security reasons, it will be best if you change your locks. If you move before fixing the appliances, you may be uncomfortable for some days if it happens that one or two of these appliances are not working.
Plus, fixing some of these things may create additional dirt, implying that you will need to clean a lot depending on the number of times you fix things after packing in with all your belongings.
#2. See if You Like the Colors
The type of paint and color used in a home is usually an important factor for most owners. Not everyone would like to repaint, either because they are okay with the color or not financially prepared to. But if you do, nevertheless, want to change something, it’s best to hire a professional.
Must Read: 5 Important Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Painting Company
On the other hand, if you want to handle the process yourself, fix the cracks and holes first, and don’t forget about the ceiling.
It is always a good idea to do all the painting while the place is still empty to make the cleanup easier afterward.
#3. Fumigate and Clean the House
This is one of the most essential things that is needed before you move. So many people bring their things into a new place before fumigating or cleaning it.
While this is okay, depending on the circumstance, it is best to do the fumigation and cleaning before moving your belongings in so that you will not have your things occupying spaces that need cleaning.
To get rid of rodents and insects, you will need to do all the cleaning. For fumigating, it’s better to hire professionals. Cleaning, however, is an easier process, and here are some tips that can help you:
Decide on where to start cleaning and go for it
This is usually a difficult decision to make, depending on the size of the place, but one must start somewhere.
When you decide, start by dusting the first room to get rid of any dirt. The corners, doors, and windows are places where dust is collected the most.
Once you have done it, everything concerning cleaning will begin to fall into place.
Clean the bathroom
This area of the house needs special attention. To clean the bathroom, you will need to apply a grout cleaner first and allow it to soak for some time. Use an all-purpose cleaner for the doors, walls, and features.
For the toilet, use specialized cleaners for both the top, inside, and base. Ensure you properly scrub part of the bathroom after applying the cleaners to remove any stubborn dirt. Finally, for the floor, use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of any dirt before mopping.
Clean the kitchen
Another area that needs special attention is the kitchen. How much cleaning you will have to do here depends on whether you are bringing in your own kitchen appliances or using the ones that come with your new house.
Also, another factor that will determine the type of cleaning will be how long the kitchen appliances have been abandoned.
Whatever the case, before turning on kitchen appliances, clean it inside out first. For the countertops, make sure to use disinfectant to get rid of germs. For the floor, apply the same method used for the bathroom as above.
Clean the living room and restroom
Just like other rooms of the house, the living room and restroom also need thorough cleaning.
Make sure each room is completely empty before you start cleaning. If any area needs special attention, it will be the windows and doors. Then, finish off your cleaning with the floor just as you did with the bathroom.
#4. Plan Before Packing and Unpacking
Special attention should be given to the packing and unpacking processes. Many movers make the mistake of just packing things into boxes without tagging or labeling them. If this is not done, unpacking and arranging things will be a big problem, as you could spend hours looking for things.
When packing, place things in related categories and label them. When unpacking, take one room after another. Doing this will make the process easier.
#5. Personalize the Place
This is the part most people look forward to. Choose colors that resonate with you. Depending on whether you are renting or if it is your own house, choose special colors during painting.
You can also get colorful cushions and curtains, depending on your budget. Whatever the case may be, your target at the end of the day should be making yourself feel at home once again.
#6. Share Your New Address
Many people become too comfortable in their new homes and forget to share their new address. You can save your friends and family the stress of going to your old place to look for you by telling them your new address.
Also, update your billing address and set up mail forwarding. In all, share your current address as required.
#7. Find Out Who Lived in Your New House Before You
Although this step is not necessary, some people are curious about who lived in their new house before they moved in. To find this out, various methods can be used, one of which is using an address reverse lookup. Nuwber, Whitepages, and Spokeo are some of the people search websites that have this function.
Parting Thoughts
Moving to a new place is, unfortunately, a stressful process. But if you check the special amenities, repair faulty or spoilt appliances, fumigate and clean the house as instructed, plan before packing and unpacking, personalize the house, and share your address, you will see that it is not as stressful as it seems.
More so, the whole process is worth it.