Steps For Moving Into Your New Home

Moving into a new home is fun and exciting, but you're probably full of thoughts wondering where to start! First of all, congratulations! Regardless if you're a first time home buyer or you've done it before, moving is a massive undertaking and it's okay to feel a bit overwhelmed. Having a plan is key for moving into your new home! 

To help you create a moving plan, we have assembled 20 tips for moving. From your pre-move or PCS purge to making your new house feel like a home, the steps below can make moving a stress-free process! 

1. Change Your Address with USPS: submit forms for a change of address to receive your mail at your new home. You can do this using a form from the Post Office or online. 

2. Change Your Address on Subscriptions and Autoships: You should change your address online for any and all credit cards, subscription services, delivery apps, etc. 

3. Tell Friends and Family: Send a moving announcement to your loved ones letting them know of your new address. 

4. Have a Garage Sale: Before you move and as you pack, start setting items aside that you won't use or want to get rid of. Have a garage sale — this is a win/win because you get to pack a lighter load and make a little cash! 

5. Register Your Vehicles: If you move out of state, a trip to the DMV may be necessary to register vehicles. 

6. Change Voter Registration: Many states make registering to vote an easy experience at the DMV. You could likely register your vehicles and register to vote all at once!

7. Update Doctors in Tri-Care: If you're military, you'll want to update Tri-Care and get new doctors. If you're not military, you'll want to find new doctors that accepts your insurance.

8. Transfer Utilities: You'll want to ensure you have your utilities turned off in your old home, and set up in your are home when you're ready to move in. 

9. Walk Through Before Closing: You should ensure that everything is how it should be in your new home during your final walk through. Test light switches, outlets, locks, windows — everything!

10. Make a Home Maintenance Checklist: On your list, you should include thing you want to do right away such as clean gutters, trim trees, fix fence posts, etc. You can add new items to your list each month!

11. Create a Repairs/Update List: If there are specific things you want to repair or update right away, write them down! Everything from leaky faucets, touch up paint, and so on should be added. This helps you stay organized and knock out those tasks right away. 

12. Change Your Locks: Changing locks on your home is important after moving. For your safety and security, changing locks ensures you're the only ones with keys to your home. 

13. Unpack Essentials First: Let's face it, you have a ton of boxes to unpack. To start, think about what is truly essential and unpack that first. You are likely going to need pots and pans over a box of family heirlooms! You can focus on unpacking the other boxes after you have unpacked the things you need to move into your new home. 

14. Childproof and Pet-Proof: Prepping your home for your children and pets before they get settled in will make life more simple! Set those gates, locks, crates, etc. up now and know your children and pets are safe in your new home. 

15. Pace Yourself: Remember, everything doesn't have to be done in one day! Try to focus on one room at a time starting with the rooms where you spend the most time like bedrooms, main living areas, and the kitchen!

16. Find Your Home's Fuse Box: You should know exactly where this is after moving into your home. In case of an emergency, you should know how to operate gas, water shut off valve, and the home's electrical breaker box. 

17. Start a Homeowner File: Document everything from repairs, dates you change filters, and any other important information about the home. This is a great place to store your appliance manuals and warranties. 

18. Replace Home's Filters: You'll want to replace filters such as the furnace filter, water filters, and air filters to ensure everything is clean. Once you have the correct size filters, write them down and place in you homeowner file so you always have access to them if you forget! 

19. Update Home Items: When moving into your new home, there's probably some items you want to get brand new such as toilet bowl brushes, a broom, sheets, etc. Whatever it is, take a trip to the store and grab those items so you can continue moving in and unpacking. 

20. Relax: Last but not least, relax! You did it! You have moved into your new home, you've transferred utilities, you've updated your address, you've started unpacking — soak it in! The chaos won't last forever. Try to stay positive and excited about all that's to come in your new home!