The first-time home buyer typically has a lot on their plate. No matter how many checklists you keep, it seems that there’s always something else that you’ve missed! If you’re moving from your parents’ home or an apartment with a roommate, there’s a lot that you need to organize.
Be sure to check out the following 5 essentials that you’ll need to buy before moving in, in order to make your first days in your new home stress-free:
Paperwork & Services
Let’s get the boring stuff out of the way first. Many first-time home buyers don’t realize how much paperwork is involved with the purchase of a home, and it doesn’t end with house inspections and appraisals. Before you move, it’s well worth arranging a home insurance policy for your new home.
Arrange the policy to start the day before you move in, so that you and your possessions are covered on moving day. If you’re using a moving company, be sure to take out insurance with them as well. Mortgage and title insurance should also be arranged and it’s a good idea to speak with your real estate agent to get the right coverage.
On top of insurance, think about the utilities and other services you’ll require in your new home. Again, these should be arranged in advance, so that you can be sure you’ll have running water, gas and electricity on the day you move in. While internet isn’t necessarily a priority, like running water for your shower or power for your lights, it’s a good idea to arrange for this to be set up at the same time as well. This utility can take up to a week to schedule, so give yourself plenty of lead time.
Furniture & Appliances
As a first-time buyer, chances are that you don’t have all the furniture and appliances you will need in your new home. If you’ve bought an unfurnished property that didn’t include appliances, it can be tempting to buy everything you need in advance. However, it can be difficult to know how it will all fit properly in your new home until you’ve spent some time in it.
Before you move, stick to the appliances and furniture you can’t live without. Regarding furniture, a bed is a must, plus some seating options and perhaps a table or a desk. Everyone’s essentials are different, so think about what you will need most in those first few days. A fridge, an oven, washing machine and dryer, and perhaps a microwave are good appliances to start with, and then you can acquire everything else when you’re more familiar with the possibilities and especially the limitations of your space.
Once you’ve spent some time in your new home, you’ll be in a stronger position to make informed choices about the furniture and appliances you need. You may only have room for a stackable washer and dryer, and you defnitely don’t want to buy a beautiful bedroom set only to find there’s too much furniture to fit in the room once you put that king-sized bed in there.
Arrange to have new furniture and appliances delivered directly to your new home on moving day, to avoid paying to have them transported with the moving company.
Home Essentials
With the bigger things out of the way, you can think about the smaller home essentials. The list may seem long, depending on your needs, but if you want to slim it down, think about what you can’t live without for a week or two. It’s a good idea to make a list for each room in the house and prioritize each essential accordingly.
Bedding typically ranks high, as the last thing you want to do after a long day of moving is to crash out onto a bare mattress. The kitchen is another area that’s worth considering at length. From pots and pans, to cutlery, cups and plates, there’s a long list of the things you’ll need — and don’t forget the bottle opener!
The Basics
Another top tip is to remember the seemingly little things, which are necessary to make a home habitable. Things such as cleaning products are worth having ready to hand as soon as you’ve transferred into your new home, as the moving process can be a messy affair. Buying mops, brooms and other cleaning essentials in advance means you can get on with the job quickly and then relax.
Basic groceries and food staples are also a good idea. Think of canned foods and dry goods that don’t require refrigeration, as it can take a day or so before your fridge is ready to go. In this way, you’re not reliant on takeaway for the first week or so after moving in. A good idea is to place an order with a local grocery store in advance, ready for delivery directly to your new home to save you the trip.
The most essential item you can take with you on possession day is toilet paper. Don’t count on there being a roll in the bathroom when you get there!
Moving Equipment
Finally, before you move into your new home, you may find yourself surprised at how much stuff you will need to transport on the big day. It’s worth stocking up on sturdy moving boxes, packaging tape, bubble wrap and marker pens in advance, to be sure that you have enough for all your items.
With good preparation, moving into your first home can be a joy, and by purchasing the essentials we have listed here in advance, you save yourself days or even weeks of stress and eating cornflakes from a mug!
— Point2homes.com