Purchasing your first home is one of those life milestones marked by a ton of emotions. You're excited, nervous, impatient and anxious all at once, so happy to move in, get settled and make this house your home. However, when you factor in the logistics of getting a mortgage, closing escrow, making improvements and then finally getting all of your stuff moved in, the entire process can be overwhelming. There are things you can do to make your move easier:
Book Movers in Advance
According to the moving experts at Better Homes and Gardens, over half of Americans move during late spring and throughout the summer. Save yourself the headache of calling every mover in town only to find out they're booked and begin calling around to get quotes from movers as soon as you find out the date that you'll close escrow on your new house.
In addition to the pricing, ask about the company's policy on overbooking. Some moving companies agree to more jobs than they can handle in order to buffer their workload in case a customer flakes at the last minute. If a mover overbooks and a customer doesn't cancel, the mover is then forced to drop a job at the last minute.
Make a Moving Kit
MarthaStewart.com home experts advise making a last-out, first-in box of the most-used necessities. Keep all of your essentials in a central place with easy access. Some things to include:
- Bed & Bath: Towels, bedding, toiletries and medication
- Kitchen: Paper towels, coffee pot, coffee, snacks, dishware, mugs and cutlery
- Miscellaneous: Camera, cleaning products, basic tool kit, box cutter, tape and permanent markers
Don't send this box with the movers. Bring it in the car with you to ensure it doesn't get mixed in with the rest of your boxes.
Get an Alarm
The U.S. Department of Justice reports there were more than two million burglaries reported in 2009, with 72.6 percent of those occurring at residential properties. One of the first things you should do when you arrive at your new place is get a home security system. It will help you protect your family from intruders and give you peace of mind as you get familiar with your new surroundings.
If you're on a tight budget, consider installing a do-it-yourself home alarm system instead of shelling out more than twice that amount for a professionally installed system. According to Lifeshield, most DIY alarms are simple to install and can be up and running with an hour's time and a few basic tools.
Get to Know Your Neighbors
Your neighbors can offer a watchful eye when you're not home. Introduce yourself as soon as you move in to build good rapport with those who live next store and across the street from your house. Consider making the rounds to introduce yourself a few days before moving in, as you'll be busy doing so many other things on moving day.