5 Tips for a Smooth Transition to Your New Home

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Real Estate

Hi!  Welcome back to #WorldWednesday.  There's a lot of planning that goes into buying a home--especially once closing is over and done with.  You have had so much to manage, including finding a home, getting your financing together and arranging for moving day.  It's almost time to celebrate your new abode--but here's a few things to tackle before popping the champagne cork:

1)  There's no better time to do a complete walkthrough than when the interior is completely empty.  Go through the entire house and make everything is in working order, including outlets, switches and fixtures.  Change all the light bulbs, smoke detector batteries and air filters.  

2)  Figure out where your furniture is going...before the moving truck arrives.  There are some great software programs-most of which are free to help you design your rooms before the unpacking begins.  A couple to consult are homebyme, roomstyler and sketchup.  Some of these sites allow you to shop companies and use the furniture that you select to decorate your interior spaces.  Then you can visualize the space before having to move the furniture room to room, once it's already in your home.  This can be a real time saver and make the move in process go smoothly.  Be sure to give the movers a copy of the layout to make sure they know where to place the big items.  

3)  Do a deep clean.  I know the last thing you probably want to do when going through the moving process is to clean your home from top to bottom.  But, right after moving is the best time to do it.  If you don't have the time or patience to grab a mop and vaccuum cleaner, consider scheduling a professional cleaning company to do the job while all the dashboards and corners are easily accessible.

4)  Change your locks, garage door codes and security system passwords.  You have probably already changed the utilities and put a forwarding address in with the post office, but don't forget to ensure your safety.  Take the necessary steps to protect your loved ones and your belongings by planning this step in advance.

5)  Meet your neighbors.  Introducing yourself to your new neighbors is a lot easier and less awkward to do right when moving into your home.  It's an excellent time to knock on your next door neighbor's home and say hello.  This can help you to get a local's recommendation to the best grocery stores, restaurants, and other nearby amenities and help you get established in your new location.  

Moving into a new home can be a bit overwhelming, but advance planning can make the transition a bit more seamless.  Don't be afraid to ask friends and family for advice, or even hire a professional to assist with the process.  Check back next Wednesday for more tips and tricks.  See you soon!  Warmly, Susan