9 Moving Tips For New Homeowners

Whether you’re a first time homeowner or you’ve been through the process of purchasing a house before, moving into a new home is an exciting time for you and your family. However, before you unlock the door to your new home, there’s some things you need to get to first.

Organizing, packing, and unpacking…moving into a new home can be stressful. From hiring movers to setting up utilities and updating documents to making sure you protect your new investment, the process of moving often requires months of decision making and paperwork.

Planning ahead and staying focused will make for a much easier and smoother process from start to finish. And a smart home security system can help.

Get organized early

Create a moving timeline—and stick to it. Make sure to reserve a truck or moving company early, especially in the warmer weather as they get busier in the summer. Don’t forget to put hooking up the electricity and connectivity on your list for before you move in. (You don’t want to spend your first night in the dark!)

Make your move more efficient by creating a floor plan for your new home. Map out where you’ll want to put furniture, how you’d like to arrange your belongings, and where added safety would come in handy.

Choose the right movers for you

Ask around for mover recommendations. Talk to friends and family for recommendations if you decide to hire professional movers. Get at least three quotes to compare and don’t forget to factor in fees like elevator usage and parking permits. Make sure you understand the breakdown of costs. Some moving companies charge by the hour, others by the day—and depending on the number of boxes you have, one method may be more financially advantageous than the other.

Pack smarter

Now is the perfect opportunity to go through all your stuff and get rid of what you don’t need. It will make packing easier (and cheaper). Keep organized piles of what to keep and what to ditch. And, did you know when you drop off any donations at your local center, you can ask for a receipt so you can claim it on your taxes?

Instead of emptying out all your clothes, keep them in your dressers and secure each drawer with tape. Use kitchen and bath towels to wrap fragile items. Color code boxes by room and take a quick picture of each box’s contents before you seal it up. Pack a “first night” box that contains essentials, so you don’t have to hunt around through various boxes.

Do a walk-through

If available, take the opportunity to walk through your new home while it’s empty to familiarize yourself with the features of the house. Get an idea of where you want to put your furniture before the team of movers is waiting behind you to bring it into the house.

Also, are all the utilities up to date and working well? Plan upgrades if you need to. Connected smoke alarms will alert you in the event of a fire, and a connected system will shut down the water main if a leak is detected. If your new home was previously wired for a security system, get a better understanding of the state of the equipment and set-up. It’s a lot easier to upgrade than to start from scratch.

Think about security

Start thinking about safety and security before you set up your new home. Changing the locks is smart, but imagine how much more peace of mind you’ll have if you can see who’s coming and going even if you’re not home. Connected smart locks are a great way to stay in control. Immediately give access to guests or workers from your smartphone or with specific user codes. Plus, you can get notified whenever someone leaves or enters your home.

Don’t forget that your backyard is part of your new home, and protecting it is just as important. Think about installing motion-sensor outdoor lights for backyard security and safety. Keep a better eye on your property with a connected home video monitoring system that lets you see exactly who’s roaming around in the dark—whether it’s a critter welcoming you to the neighborhood or something more serious.

Stay connected with smart technology

Protecting your new investment should be top of mind as you’re planning your move. A connected smart home security system will keep your new home safe while providing ways to easily manage your home and all its functions—from automating light schedules and controlling your smart thermostat to alerting authorities in an emergency situation.

Customize alerts so you’ll be notified of any unexpected activities as you’re settling in. Controlling all those features with one app allows you to manage it all while keeping your new home safe.

Adjust to the new norm

Once you settle into your new space, you’ll begin to pick up on your home’s quirks. Like noticing the living room is much cooler than your bedroom, or one floor is warmer than the other. Whatever it may be, smart thermostat's remote temperature sensors allow you to target a specific room, and your house will gently heat or cool until it's comfortable.

Explore the neighborhood

Get familiar with the community before you move in, including local services. Check out neighborhood parks and playgrounds, make sure all your required shopping needs will be met, and get a better understanding of local delivery routes. If you are working outside the home, investing in an Alarm.com video doorbell will let you keep an eye on delivered packages or visitors stopping by while you’re out.

Enjoy this new chapter

Moving is a stressful event, so give yourself breaks where you can. Afterall, you’re turning over an exciting new leaf. Plan on getting takeout or eating out during the time period between leaving your old home and settling into a new one. Don’t try to unpack everything at once, but give yourself a deadline. And if turning on some tunes motivates you to unpack, break out the smart speaker and get going!

Taking a proactive approach to moving will cut down on stress too. Stay focused and keep your eyes on the prize—a new house that will soon feel just like home.