- Declutter your home to eliminate unused and unwanted items and make space in the house.
- Hire a reputable moving company to help with the move and book them in advance.
- Notify your utility companies of your move and arrange for the disconnection and reconnection of services.
- Decide what to do with your old home. Consider renting, selling, or keeping it as a holiday home.
- Change your address with any companies, organizations, or government agencies you deal with.
Moving to a new house can be daunting, especially if you have lived in your current home for a long time. Leaving your old home can be a bittersweet experience filled with excitement and sadness. However, before you start packing your belongings and saying goodbye to your old address, you need to take a few essential steps to make your move as smooth and stress-free as possible. This blog post will discuss the steps you should take before moving to a new house.
Step 1: Declutter
Before you start packing, take some time to declutter your home. Go through each room and decide which items to keep, sell, donate, or throw away. This is an excellent opportunity to remove things you no longer use or need, clear out some space in your home, and possibly make extra money by selling what you no longer need. Here are some tips:
a. Make three piles:
You want to make three piles for your belongings: keep, sell/donate, and throw away. You can also make sub-piles within these, such as a “sell” pile for items you want to sell online and a “donate” pile for items you wish to donate.
b. Ask yourself questions:
When going through your belongings, ask yourself some simple questions to decide whether or not you should keep, sell, donate, or throw away an item. For example, “Do I use this often?” “How long have I had it for?” and “Is it in good condition?”
c. Take photos:
If you’re unsure whether you want to keep something, take a photo of it and assess it later. This can help reduce the chances of regretting your decision later on. This is especially useful for sentimental items, such as photo albums.
d. Be ruthless:
This is your opportunity to eliminate anything that’s taking up unnecessary space in your home. Don’t be afraid to part with items you rarely use or no longer use.
Step 2: Hire a Moving Company
Unless you plan to move everything yourself, you must hire a moving company to assist you. Research different moving companies in your area and compare their rates. It is essential to choose a reputable company that is insured and licensed. You should also book the company well in advance to ensure they have availability on your move date. Secure the company at least two weeks in advance to ensure they arrive on time.
Step 3: Notify Your Utility Companies
Don’t forget to notify your utility companies, such as gas, electric, water, phone, and internet, of your move. This should be done a few weeks before your move date. Arrange for the disconnection of your utilities at your old address and the reconnection at your new address. This will ensure a smooth transition, and you won’t be left without essential services during your move.
Step 4: Decide What to Do With Your Old Home
Of course, you must decide what to do with your old home. You could rent, sell, keep, or use it as a holiday home. If you are renting, consider hiring a property manager to handle any tenant issues. Some people also hire a real estate agent to help them sell their home.
If you need to sell your property quickly to finance your move, look into companies that buy houses for cash. A cash buyer for home properties can close deals quickly and will offer you a fair price for your home. They are ideal if you need to move soon and don’t have the time or resources to list your home on the market.
Step 5: Change Your Address
Notify your bank, credit card companies, government agencies, and any other organizations you deal with regarding your address change. You can do this by filling out a change of address form with your local post office or online. This will ensure you continue receiving important mail and avoid delays in receiving essential documents or bills.
When moving to a new house, it is vital to take the necessary steps to ensure your transition is as smooth and stress-free as possible. Follow these five steps to make your move successful: declutter, hire a moving company, notify your utility companies, decide what to do with your old home, and change your address. With some preparation and organization, you can make moving to a new house an enjoyable experience.
