New Homeowner’s Checklist

2022-02-23T20:54:45+00:00

Buying and moving into a new home can be stressful. Here is a checklist with the essential tasks and tools you’ll need to make the transition easier.

Moving Day

❑ Give your employer two weeks’ notice of your move, and take the day off to supervise the process.

❑ Arrange for movers: Start shopping moving companies two months before your move. If you’re not hiring a moving company, ask your friends and family for help well in advance.

❑ Moving supplies: Six weeks before your move, purchase boxes, tape, bubble wrap and other packing materials and begin packing your belongings.

❑ Change the locks and keys: You can visit your local hardware store or call a locksmith to re-key your locks.

Cleaning

❑ Before move-in day, clean the walls and flooring so you don’t have to worry about cleaning around furniture and furnishing when you’re unpacked.

Change your address

❑ File a change of address with the post office about a month before you move for each person in your household. Notify banks, utilities, the IRS, your employer and family and friends of your new address.

Utilities

❑ Contact your new provider two weeks  in advance of your move to ensure the utilities are turned on by the time you move in.

Buy your appliances

❑ Do some comparison shopping to ensure you get the best deal. You could also ask people you know if they have one to spare.

Essentials box

❑ You want to pack this box last and open it first. Essentials include extra change of clothes for each family member, paper plates and napkins, snacks, toilet paper, all-purpose cleaner, bedding, toys and blankets. You wouldn’t need to search for these items when you need them most.