You’ve found your dream home (with some help from your friends at Schaefer Homes!).
You’re under contract.
And now it’s time to get moving — which is one of the most stressful things you can do.
Naturally, Schaefer Homes is here to help with your move, starting with this helpful checklist!
- Scheduling: Lock in your important dates
- When do you need to be out of your old home?
- When is your move-in day?
- Can you start moving in any of your possessions ahead of Moving Day?
- Movers
- Will you need a team of movers, just one or two, or will you have family and/or friends helping?
- If it’s professional movers you need, do your research and find the one with great online reviews, affordable rates, and preferably a top Better Business Bureau grade.
- Book early — and keep in mind that it’s best to choose a mid-week, mid-month moving date. And remember that demand for movers is lowest between October and April.
- Lists
- Not just this one — make your own lists to make sure things get done. For example, lists of things to keep, store, donate, or discard.
- Boxes and labels
- Anyone who has ever moved knows that you can never have too many boxes! Whether you have them in your garage or attic, or you need to buy brand-new ones, good boxes are always good to have on hand.
- Whatever type of labeling system you use — from markers to stick-ons — it’s very helpful to have clearly marked boxes. This way, you and your movers will know where things go and cut down on moving time.
- Plan ahead for life in your new home.
- Get measurements of each room so you know where your furniture goes.
- Set up new accounts for utilities, cable/satellite, water/trash/sewer, etc.
- Set up landline phone service if you need it.
- Update your address with the post office and voter registration.
- Leave the old house in good condition.
- Make any simple repairs that need to be done.
- Go through every room to make sure it’s empty and clean.
- Do a final walk-through just before (or on) Moving Day.
- Prepare for Moving Day
- Take care of your movers — have cold water (and maybe lunch) on hand. (Maybe even some adult beverages for the end of the day!)
- Have some cash on hand for tips if they do a great job.
- Pack a bag of essentials in case you can’t unpack everything on Moving Day.
- Once You’re Moved in (if You Haven’t Already)…
- Child-proof and/or pet-proof the house
- Arrange to have any repairs fixed
- Change your address with the post office, your employer, banks, credit cards, voter registration, etc.
- Make sure your power outlets, HVAC, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and sprinkler systems all work
- Check to find out which days your trash and recycling get picked up
While no online list has 100% of the things you need to handle before, during and after a move, the team at Schaefer Homes hopes this covers most of the major things you’ll need to handle.
For more helpful posts, check out our blog.
And if you have any questions about new homes, please feel free to contact us!