So you bought a house! Here are some tips for moving in

You did it! Congrats! Now, just a heads-up: the weeks between finding The One and actually moving in can be a blur. In the flurry of getting your finances in order as you head towards settlement, the practical steps of moving house might take a bit of a back seat.There’s a bit to do: repairs, changing addresses, dealing with your furniture (nothing worse than a couch that won’t fit) and then some. To help you leave nothing behind (including the keys to your new front door), we’ve put together a short guide on what to do in the weeks leading up to moving into your first home.

Three to four weeks before moving

Now is a good time to start laying the groundwork for the big day. A good place to start is by sorting through your belongings – you’re bound to find a few things that no longer ‘spark joy’. Host a garage sale, or donate or throw away any items that you don’t want to bring to your new home. Organising your belongings now will make it easier to pack up later. Next, book your removal company and start gathering packing materials like boxes, tape and labels. Make sure you redirect your mail, too. Now is also a good time to get on top of any repairs or maintenance. You don’t want to be stuck doing a rush-job in the final moments of moving out.

Two weeks before moving

With two weeks to go it’s time to get down to the finer details. Settling in will be a lot easier if your utilities are already set up, so start scheduling the disconnection of the old and connection of the new. Make sure it’s all covered: gas, electricity, water, phone and internet.

Next, spend an afternoon updating your contact details with your employer, the tax department, electoral commission and any service providers. Don’t forget your driver’s licence, and your bank, GP, dentist, lawyer, accountant and insurance companies. Be sure to discontinue or redirect any delivery services, automated payment plans or local memberships, like your gym if you’ve moved out of range and won’t be using them anymore. If you have pets, update or change their registration with your council.

Now is a good time to book professional cleaners so you can leave your old home in tip-top shape. And don’t leave packing too late. It’s time to start now. Go for your non-essential items first, those things you rarely use – you probably don’t want to unpack your kettle every day for the next two weeks. Also, store any valuable items, like jewellery and legal documents, together in a safe place so you can keep track of them. Don’t forget, this is a fresh start so only take with you what you love. If you won’t miss it, recycle or donate it.

One week out

You’re in the home stretch. It’s time to get your ducks in a row. Start by writing an action plan for moving day. If you decided to head down the route of using a removalist, call ahead and confirm all the details. If you can, arrange time off work so you can oversee the move.

Keep chipping away at your packing: it might be worth disassembling all your non-essential furniture, like desks and bookshelves (and tidy as you go, as it will help you feel less chaotic). Also, have a look at the floorplan of your new house and plan where your existing furniture will go. This can help you avoid lugging a couch that won’t fit and shuffling furniture around and around once you’ve moved in.

Moving day

How exciting! Start by checking (and checking again). Are all your belongings packed? Have you recycled what you no longer need or love? Is your furniture disassembled? Boy, it better be. Are your boxes stacked and ready to go? Make sure you’re on the same page with your movers – what time are they coming, again? Then, do one last sweep – it might be hard to not get teary here. Finally, lock the windows and doors and turn off all the lights. And then… close the door. Breathe out. You’re ready for a new chapter.

At your new house, check all the utilities are working. You’ll know pretty quickly if the electricity hasn’t been connected. Then start settling in by unpacking some essentials and favourite things.

Over the next few weeks, as you unpack more and get familiar with how you live in your new home, make an inventory of what else you need to get. Do you need a new couch to suit your new living space? Thinking that room would look great with a rug? The choice is all yours! Phew, you did it. Enjoy this time. Oh and, finally, say hello to your new neighbours.

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