Things to do after move into a new home
Before you can exhale and kick your feet up, there are things you need to do after moving into your new home. The following is a handy checklist for new movers.
Look Over Your Appliances
Few things are worse than completing a move, only to find out that your major appliances did not survive the move. It is important to be vigilant during the moving process and make sure that the moving company treats your oven, stove, washer, dryer, etc. with tender, loving care. The first thing you’ll want to do once you’re unpacked is check all of these appliances and make sure they still work.
Check Furniture
Checking over your possessions does not end with your appliances. Once you’ve gone through your important appliances, it’s time to look over your furniture, so that you can be sure no pieces were lost or damaged. Conducting an inventory of your home prior to moving can help to make this process easier. If anything is damaged or lost, it is time to contact the moving company, so that you can file a claim.
Setting Up Utilities
In a perfect world, this is something that a new home owner should have taken care of prior to moving in. No one wants to move into a new home, only to discover that they have no electricity, cable, Internet access, heat, air conditioning or hot water. Imagine finishing all of the heavy moving late at night and not being able to turn any lights on. Do your due diligence on setting up utilities beforehand.
Vehicle Registration
If you are moving to a different jurisdiction, it is crucial to have your vehicle registered as soon as possible, so that you can avoid a costly ticket. Police are known to pull over unfamiliar vehicles, so this is not something that a new home owner wants to take a chance on. Depending on how far you’ve moved, you may need an entirely new license, as well as plates and tags.
Don’t Throw Away Receipts
Every last scrap of paperwork related to your move needs to kept in a safe place for future usage. Once you’ve gathered all of your receipts, be sure to store in a place that is easily accessible, one that you won’t forget about. The Bill Of Landing and the receipt of payment from the moving company are vital. You just might be able to write off certain moving expenses on your next tax filing, so keeping all of the documentation is necessary.
Research Schools
For those who have children, this takes on added importance, as you wish to ensure that your children are receiving the best education they can possibly get. The faster the child is registered, the faster they can go about fitting it with their new classmates. For those who do not have children, researching the local schools is still important, because you will want to know how high of a school tax you’ll be paying to live in a certain area.
Get Mail Forwarded
Having to chase after mail is an annoying proposition for anyone to deal with. Checking with the local post office to ensure that your mail is forwarded in a timely fashion is one of the first things that should be done after moving into a new move. Otherwise, bills and other important pieces of mail could end up being lost in the shuffle.
Locate A New Doctor
It is never wise to go without a health professional. You never know when an emergency could arise. You may also need to locate a new dentist, if you are moving far away. Movers with children will need to find a quality pediatrician and pet owners must search for a veterinarian. Putting this off leaves you, your children and your pets susceptible to emergency ailments.
Setting Up A New Bank Account
Making sure all of your finances are in order is a necessary part of moving into a new home. Depending on the particulars of your move, setting up a brand new account may be required, or you could need to transfer funds, in order to pay for bills and expenses at the new home. Home owners who rely on checks will need to order a new set, with the new address printed on them.
Contact Your Insurers
This includes home insurance, auto insurance, health insurance, life insurance and any other attendant policies. Assuming that each of your policies is going to continue to cover you after the move is foolhardy. You must contact your various insurance companies, in case you need to create new policies for your changed circumstances. When moving to a new state, this task becomes even more crucial.
Write Down Your Emergency Contacts
You never know when an emergency will strike, so it behooves a new home owner to come up with a new list of emergency contacts as soon as possible after the move. Taking the time to create a new emergency contact provides key peace of mind and prepares you for any accidents that may happen.
Develop A Connection To Your New Surroundings
Take a walk or a drive and learn your way around. Introduce yourself to the neighbors. Sign up for a subscription to the local newspaper. The sooner you establish ties to the neighborhood you now live in, the faster you will be able to feel completely at home.
