Moving to a new house can be an exciting yet a stressful experience for many people. It is a significant step in one’s life. Even if you are ready to take on all its challenges, the best way to tackle them is to prepare as much as possible beforehand.
The experience of moving to a new place differs from person to person; everyone has difficulties when moving to a new place. There are many things you will need to do beforehand. It includes packing boxes, hiring movers and unloaders, getting temporary accommodation, insurance coverage, fixes in the new house and so much more.
With endless opportunities in the US, Texas is a great place to move, even if you are going solo or have a family going along. It is a warm, tax-friendly city with affordable living and a booming economy.
While moving to a new house in Texas, follow these simple tips to make the transition smoother.
- Conduct a Complete Walkthrough
When moving to a new house, check it thoroughly for potential damage or repairs. Do a complete walkthrough of your new home before finalizing it. Take a professional along to inspect the house so you can know what needs to be done before moving in. Look for:
- Electrical wiring (ceiling lights, outlets)
- HVAC system (heating/cooling)
- Plumbing fixtures (toilets, sinks)
- Garbage disposal unit(s)
- Make Temporary Arrangements
While you are waiting to move into your new home, it is important to have a place where you can stay for a short while. Temporary lodging solutions in Texas offer many benefits over traditional hotel rooms and apartments.
You will easily find temporary lodging in Big Lake TX that is highly economical with a customized package according to your needs. They are less expensive than hotels or long-term rentals, allowing you to save money on utility bills by using available utilities like gas and electricity.
- Explore the Community
Before moving, check the neighborhood. Is it a safe place to live? Are there many people walking around, or is this a secluded area with few neighbors nearby?
If you are moving into an apartment complex, check out its amenities: security, water supply, electricity supply, pools, parks, recreation centers (PLRCs), gyms/fitness centers/indoor courts, etc. Check out schools nearby and how the teachers are there if you are with family and kids.
- Change the Locks
Changing all the locks must be on top of your list before moving to a new house. The longer someone else has access to the house, the greater risk of someone breaking in. Since we live in an era where identity theft is so common, this can lead to monetary loss and even physical harm.
- Safety Measures for Kids and Pets
When moving to a new house, you must see if the place is kid and pets friendly. Ensure there is space for kids and enough room to keep a pet.
Make sure that each room has protection from fire hazards, such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits nearby.
- Complete All Home Improvements
Fixing the roof is one of the most important things you can do to protect your new home from leaks or other damage.
Get the foundation fixed because if there are cracks, then they could expose moisture underneath, which could cause rot and mold growth in those areas where there was once insulation.
- Paint your walls, ceiling, floor, and doors. Also, paint kitchen cabinets or bathroom cabinets if you want them to be different from the rest of the house’s appearance.
- Test for termite damage (termites can cause structural damage).
- Make sure the water has not damaged any electrical or plumbing systems in your home.
- Check the working of smoke alarms and replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors.
- Set-up Utilities
Check bills and call the utility companies and set up an appointment to have them check all the connections. Make sure they are working correctly, or if you want them to add something new (like a smart thermostat).
- Electricity: Contact the electric company to have the electricity turned on, so you can switch it off and on yourself once you are settled into the new home. If you are living in an apartment building, ask about their policy for shutting down their power during winter months.
- Water: Check in with the city water department before moving in to ensure unhindered water supply so you don’t experience any inconvenience later.
- Gas: Check in with your gas supplier. Also, get the gas supply lines checked and have them repaired if needed.
- Telephone: Make sure you have a working phone number; if you do not yet, now’s the time to get one!
- Arrange Home Security
Your security system must be in place before the moving day. To ensure everything is secure and safe in an emergency, consider installing a security system with cameras and sensors on the front door and back doors. These systems can detect movement, alerting homeowners via phone call or email when someone tries to break into their property.
You can also consider investing in a burglar alarm system if possible – these will help keep unwanted guests from entering your house and will go off if anyone tries to break in.
- Deep Clean the House
The most important thing you can do when moving into a new house is to clean the space. You want to ensure there are no traces of dust, dirt, and germs left behind by previous occupants. This means not just vacuuming but also scrubbing everything down from top to bottom, including:
- Cleaning all walls
- Cleaning out any cabinets and closets
- Washing windows inside or out
- Wiping down mirrors with cleanser
- Scraping off hard-to-reach corners with a knife or scraper
- Wiping down baseboards in all rooms
- Sweeping floors (especially carpets)
Final Thoughts
Moving to a new place and a house is indeed challenging. However, if you are prepared and take the right measures where needed, it will become much easier for you and your family. Follow our tips in this article to ensure your moving process goes smoothly and you settle-in in no time.
