Table of Contents
Moving into a new home may be exciting, but it may also be stressful. Here is a checklist of things to remember to help with the process.
Moving into a new home is exciting due to the opportunity to create memories in the new space, but it may also be stressful due to the logistics of uprooting from one place to another.
Here is a checklist of what to do when moving houses for individuals, couples, and families. This checklist also applies when moving to a new condo or apartment.
Prepare the Essentials
To be prepared, there are things you need when moving into a new house. These include:
- Trash bags
- Broom and dustpans
- Vacuum cleaner
- Extension cords
- Buckets
- Lightbulbs
- Fire extinguisher
- Emergency kit
These items will come in handy if you need to thoroughly clean your new home before moving in.
Take Some Days Off
Moving into a new home while going to work or school will lead to very stressful days. The move will also require people present at the new home for the purposes of receiving deliveries, guiding utility men, and other similar duties.
Requesting permission to take some days, or even a couple of weeks, off while moving to the new home will save you from many headaches. Of course, proper planning is required to ensure that those days are maximized.
Set Up Utilities
It is highly recommended to set up the new home’s utilities days or even weeks in advance, whether that entails filing new applications or transferring existing accounts.
Moving will be very difficult if utilities such as water and electricity are not yet working, so those should be prioritized. In addition, an internet connection is considered just as important these days.
Make Repairs and Improvements
If possible, any repairs and improvements should be made before the boxes filled with things arrive, as such activities may turn out to be messy. This is especially important for homes that have been lived in before, as there may be some damaged parts that may need fixing. However, this may also apply to new homes, which may need a few tweaks to conform to lifestyle preferences.
It is also recommended for repairs and improvements to be done by contractors. DIY methods may be cheaper but at the cost of taking up more time with the risk of making errors. Hiring professionals to do the work will also allow you to focus on other tasks at hand.
Do a Deep Clean
Once your utilities and repairs are done, your home will be filled with dust, dirt, and clutter. Before you move in, it is essential to do a deep clean. Let’s say you’re moving to a new rental unit, and you might be looking for tips on how to clean a new apartment. The first step is to declutter and organize each room, following a top-to-bottom, left-to-right approach. Do not forget to dust your ceilings, wipe down your walls, clean your windows, disinfect tables and appliances, scrub the bathroom, and mop the floors.
You may also refer to this efficient home cleaning checklist for a more thorough process.
Check Storage and Space Availability
Before moving furniture, appliances, and other personal belongings to the new home, you should first check if there is enough storage and floor space to comfortably fit them all. You can always maximize your condo with space-saving storage solutions such as investing in modular furniture pieces and hideaway storage.
If the storage and floor space are not enough, you will have to let go of some items before making the move, as there is no sense to bring over the things to the new home just to eventually discard them.
Stock Up on Essentials
While in the process of moving, you should stock up on essential items and place them in easy-to-access locations. These will include important items such as passports and IDs, cash in wallets, medical supplies, tools, and mobile phones with their chargers.
The move may also take longer than expected, so the kitchen should be stocked with a few days’ worth of easy-to-prepare meals. At the end of each day, you may be so tired from the move that all you would want is to eat and sleep, so being able to quickly prepare food will be a blessing.
Change the Locks
It is recommended for residents to change the locks of their home as soon as they move in, whether it is a new home or a previously lived in one. This is because there is no assurance that the keys that are handed over to you are the only set in existence.
Changing locks in every exterior door should not take too much time and money, but it will drastically improve the security of the new home.
Set Up, Fill Out Furniture and Appliances
Most of the time spent in moving to a new home will be for setting up and filling out space with furniture and appliances.
It would help if you started by placing what you already own into their spots, which is recommended to be something that was planned. From there, take note of any open spaces and missing appliances that need to be filled with new purchases. You can make home improvements with these 2024 furniture recommendations from IKEA.
Throw a Housewarming Party
Last but not least, you should throw a housewarming party once the new home is all set up. Setting a specific date for the party also sets a deadline to follow for the move.
Moving to a new home, despite its challenges, is something that needs to be celebrated. A housewarming party will start the memories of the new space on a good note.
Other Traditions When Moving Into a New Home
Some Filipinos consult feng shui experts to attract good luck and ensure their house doesn’t attract unwanted energy. Others consider superstitions or pamahiin for good fortune and to avoid bad luck. From the house’s orientation to furniture placement, these beliefs play a role in homebuilding.
Plan the Day of Your Move-In
Most feng shui experts agree that the day of your move-in is as important as the items you bring with you. Take into account all birthdays of family members moving into the new house, with the head of the family prioritizing decision-making.
You should also avoid certain days when moving in, like Mondays, Tuesdays, or Fridays, since these are most associated with sorrowful mysteries. Holy Week, Undas Week, New Year’s Eve, and Ghost Month are also considered bad luck for homeowners.
After deciding on the best date to move in, it’s advised to move into your new home at dawn as this signifies a new day and a prosperous life in the new house.
Bring Lucky Items
When moving into a new home, bring the following items for good luck and wealth:
- Uncooked rice
- Salt
- Coins
- Water
- Fruits
Place the items in a container, preferably full. Ensure that the container is placed in a secluded but visible corner and that it is always full so that your home will be full of blessings. Like the New Year’s tradition, scatter coins at every corner of the room to invite wealth and ward off evil spirits.
You can also bring cleaning supplies like brooms and dustpans to welcome good energy into your home.
Feng shui practitioners and experts would also advise bringing lucky plants, crystals, or figurines of feng shui deities. Placing them in strategic areas or money corners can attract the energy of wealth.
Moving into a new home is one of the most fulfilling moments for every homeowner. If you’re on the lookout for a home you can call your own, browse through Lamudi’s houses for sale listings.
Read our previous journal to know more about the ins and outs of home buying and homeownership.
Sources: My First Apartment, Updated, Home Light, House and Hammer
