So you’ve signed the loan agreement and officially bought the house.
Congratulations!
But while you’ve got a lot to celebrate, there’s still one more hurdle standing between you and the house of your dreams:
You have to figure out the logistics of your move.
What steps can you take to simplify the process? Is there anything you can do to make moving your entire house a smoother experience?
Here are four of our best tips for preparing for your move.
Tip #1: Make a Moving Inventory
One of the things most people don’t realize about moving is that the relocation effort is almost always going to be a lot more chaotic than expected.
For starters, there are going to be tons of boxes. There’s always junk, clothes you don’t wear that often, and a bunch of additional items that you don’t remember buying.
And that’s before we start talking about the difficulties of packing up and transporting a heavy-duty coffeemaker without the original packaging.
A moving checklist and inventory allow you to keep making progress while avoiding that whole “What should I do next with this moving day deadline approaching?” feeling that can sometimes creep up when you know you’ve got more to do but you can’t remember what. Your list will let you know exactly what you should be doing and it’ll free you up to pursue your goals accordingly.
Tip #2: Orient Yourself Financially
Homeownership is a major step for multiple reasons:
You have tons of independence, the pursuit of the homeowning dream, and the ability to point to your personal castle and say “I own this.”.
That means a lot at the end of the day.
But for all the perks that come with ditching the landlord-tenant relationship and saying goodbye to following the rules set by the condo board, there are also major responsibilities.
Owning a house costs a lot of money.
Stovetops and microwaves will need to be upgraded and replaced. There are no guarantees that the furnace won’t need replacing within the next ten years. And then there are all the property taxes that you’ll be receiving in your mailbox every 12 months.
In 2018, the average net saving for all Canadian households was $852. Even if you’ve already had your mortgage approved, giving yourself a financial tuneup can only help. Steps like taking care to download your credit report every once in a while or to check and see if your credit accounts are actually working for you can do a lot to simplify the financial changes that come with being a homeowner.
Tip #3: Figure out Your First Day Must-Haves
There’s nothing worse than moving into a new house only to find out that things just aren’t set up the way you need them to be. Maybe the internet won’t be hooked up for a few days even though you work from home. Or maybe you’re moving with small children or pets but your baby gate won’t fit your new staircase.
A key part of reducing moving day stress is knowing what’s needed to hit the ground running. When you’re able to focus on unpacking without worrying about the safety of your kids or what you’re going to do for work hovering in the background, it becomes a lot easier to focus on settling in.
Tip #4: Hoard Moving Supplies . . . and Then Hoard Some More
Even when you’ve done what’s necessary to be organized, a funny thing often happens when you’re moving:
The moving supplies always run out. There’s always one more item that you forgot to pack or a set of valuables that needed way more bubble wrap than you anticipated. That’s why it’s generally a good idea to buy more boxes, more tape, and more staples than you think you’ll need . . . and then buy a few more for good measure.
It’s often possible to return unused materials. But if your future self is packing up the night before the move and you find yourself running low on boxes, you’ll be glad that you grabbed those extra supplies.
Conclusion
Moving into a new house is the type of project that can make you feel like you’re drowning in a sea of endless tasks. On a very real level, there’s a lot to like about being a homeowner. But to turn that house into a home, you have to deal with the whole process of actually relocating.
Thankfully, with the help of the tips we’ve just given you, planning and pulling off your move has the potential to become a lot easier.
Written by: Adriane Thompson, Finance Writer& Blogger