As eager as you may be to unpack everything and start to settle into your new abode, it’s important not to overwhelm yourself with tasks on the very first day.
Take things slowly, and start by creating a list of top-priority tasks to make things easier for yourself and take some of the pressure off. Everyone will have different things that take precedence on their to-do list, but we’ve brought together three things that all movers should be looking to do before hitting the hay on the first day in your new home.
Walk around
If you’ve viewed the property before closing, you should already have a good understanding of its layout and condition, and may already have started to think about any changes you plan to make. But it’s important to check all around the home once more when it comes to moving-in day, to ensure everything is working as it should, and no surprise items have been left behind by the previous owner.
Your first port of call is to check that all the utilities are in working order, including the mains, heating, water supply and any safety features such as locks. Especially if you’re moving into a rental property, you will want to ensure you’ve thoroughly checked the rooms for existing damage or wear to walls, floors, furniture and ceilings. If you do find anything that could compromise your deposit, make sure to document the flaws with pictures and dates, and make the landlord aware as soon as possible.
You should already be aware of any major projects within the home that require attention, but you can also make a list of any basic repairs that may need to be done as you walk around the property.
Make sure you’ve got access to essential items
Moving home is stressful, and you’ll want to ensure you’ve taken all the necessary steps to reduce this stress as much as possible. When it comes to your first day in your new home, you don’t want to be desperately digging through boxes looking for any essential items you’ll need access to, such as clothes, toiletries and kitchen utensils.
You can give yourself a headstart on this task by accurately labelling the boxes when packing up your old home. This way, when they’re unloaded into the new property, you’ll be able to assign the correct boxes to the relevant rooms. Then even if you don’t start unpacking just yet, you’ll have a rough idea of where everything is should you need something.
Give it a clean
While you may have left your old property spic and span for the next owners, you can’t assume the same can be said for your new home. In order to start feeling comfortable, you should make a start on the cleaning tasks from day one. Don’t feel like you have to give the entire house a once-over before you’ve even had your first dinner. Consider which rooms are a priority and may require more attention, such as the bathrooms and kitchen, and start with those.
Following on from the previous point, this task can be simplified by ensuring that you have easy access to any cleaning equipment. Hoovers, dusters, brushes and cleaning products should all be clearly labelled in your storage boxes, allowing you to get started as soon as possible.
To sum up
At this exciting (and slightly manic) time, you’ll suddenly have so many extra things to think about. Above all, you want to feel comfortable in your new surroundings as soon as possible, so prioritise completing the tasks that’ll help you to achieve that. Ensuring the appliances are working properly, the property is relatively clean and you have access to essential supplies for your first day and night will all help you to settle in. After that, you can begin to enjoy all the pleasures that come with moving into a new home.
Founded in July 1997 in Gloucester, The Property Centre is a highly respected, independent Sales & Lettings Estate Agency, with nine branches located across Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. We have a deep understanding of these two beautiful counties and use our extensive local knowledge to offer a personal, exceptional service to all our buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants.
Based on independent surveys, we’re the top-selling estate agent in Worcester and Gloucester and a leading letting and estate agent in Cheltenham and Stroud. This means that when you choose The Property Centre, you’re giving yourself the very best chance of selling or letting your home, and buying your next one.
Contact one of our friendly local teams today to see how we can help you move.
