Moving to a new home can be a challenging and overwhelming process. Besides the nostalgia attached to the previous residence, there is a lot of work that you need to do just to make the move hassle-free. Although you can hire a moving company to handle most of the packing, moving, and unpacking for you, preparing your new abode for your arrival will mostly be on you.
Statistics show that Hudson County has one of the highest rates of housing unit change amongst all metropolitan areas of New Jersey at 13.7%. This number depicts that almost 14 out of 100 people move to a new home in the town each year. As a resident of Hudson County, if you are looking to move in the coming months, this guide will help you organize and plan everything better.
1. Start with a Thorough Tour of the House
This is the first step that you need to implement after you lock down your new home’s lease or purchase agreement. It is preferable for the place to be empty so that you can be thorough with checking everything. Here are some of the things to look for:
- Begin by identifying that the previous owner has completed all the repairs that were agreed upon during the initial dealing. Also, prepare for the repairs that you may have to get done on your own.
- Make sure that everything the seller agreed would come with the home is in place.
- Check water fixtures, windows, doors, cabinets, kitchen drawers, and other moving parts to ensure they are in perfect order.
- Look for any signs of mold or seepage in the floor and ceiling.
- Go over the current landscaping.
2. Ask the Movers If They Want to Visit the House
Look up Hudson County moving company near me to find the best service and book them in advance after verifying that they are reliable and professional in what they do. Next, you need to ask them if they want to visit the property to get an idea of the location and the placement of various items like furniture. This step streamlines the whole moving process and allows the moving company to work without bothering you every now and then.
3. Perform Deep Cleaning
Whatever the state of your home, it is vital that you perform a deep cleaning of the space before moving in. Even if the previous owners left the place in a spick and span condition, you should take a fine look around the place and make sure every corner is clean, clear of any mold, and not the slightest bit dirty. You can either hire a professional cleaning service, or if you have the time, do the tasks with your family. Regardless of the option you choose, cleaning is imperative.
4. Take Steps to Child- and Pet-Proof the House
Your new home will be a maze of hazards for young children and pets. The smallest thing, from bubble wrap to empty boxes, can cause harm or injury to them. Both pets and children have a tendency to wander into places where they have no business, and since you will be too busy with other tasks, they can skip your attention and end up in dangerous spaces.
Here are some of the steps you can take to ensure the safety of your children and/or pets before you move:
- Build a separate space for all discarded packing material away from the reach of children and pets.
- For any area that hasn’t been secured and isn’t in use, just close it off completely by locking the door.
- Tape up all electrical outlets, especially if they are at ground level.
- If the windows have blinds, make sure that the chords are not hanging low enough for the kids or pets to get a hold of them. Also, it is imperative to check that all the windows and doors are sealed.
- Don’t build high towers of boxes, as they can fall from the slightest nudge. Instead, ask the movers to spread them out.
- Find high spots like shelves or preferably locked cabinets for sharp objects and alcohol bottles, at least until you get settled in and put everything in its right place.
- Lock the oven door and either remove or cover the gas as well as door knobs with soft material like tape or bubble wrap.
5. Decide Which Item Will Go Where
There is a high chance that your new home is considerably different in terms of layout and dimensions as compared to the old place. So, before the furniture and other items start arriving, it is important to decide beforehand where they will go. Which side of the bedroom are you going to place the bed in? What direction are you going to place the couch in? How will the kid’s furniture go into their room?
These are just some of the questions that you will need to find the answers to. Also, while you are at it, take measurements to ensure that your old furniture and other belongings will indeed fit where you want them to. It doesn’t help when the couch arrives at the house, and it just doesn’t fit in the room, no matter how hard the movers try. Avoiding these issues is crucial to ensure a smooth move.
6. Check All the Utilities
More than anything, you’ll need power and water connections to be active when you move into the new house. It can be a severe hassle if you start unpacking and there is no light or running water. When you arrive for the initial inspections after getting the keys to the place, you need to check that all the utilities are functioning properly.
Moreover, it is also essential to find the main water valve and fuse box during the first visit. It is possible that the previous owner turned off the utilities to avoid wastage. In this case, all you need to do is turn on the connections from the main supply. On the other hand, you may also need to turn off the utilities as you kid and pet-proof the house, which is why you need to know where the primary switches are.
Conclusion
Moving into a new home isn’t going to be a piece of cake unless you make efforts to plan the entire process effectively. Start at least four to six weeks before you actually have to move because that is the ideal timeline that can facilitate the entire move seamlessly.
