Whether you’re looking for Littleton, CO, homes for sale or want to sell your house in the Denver Metro area, you know you’ll have to move out of your current home to make it happen. Though the average person moves more than 11 times in their lives, it never seems to get any easier. That doesn’t mean you have to embrace the struggle. You just need a little help to make the move a breeze. Here are a few key tasks to take care of before you start moving boxes to your new home.
Get the Locks Changed
The most important thing you can do before you move into your new house is to get the locks changed or at least re-keyed. You have no way of knowing how many spare keys the former owner made or who has those spare keys in their possession. Those spare keys give strangers access to your home and your belongings unless you take matters into your own hands. Hire a locksmith and install new locks on your doors before moving the first box inside. This will help keep your stuff safe and secure at all times.
Downsize Before You Move
Professional moving companies can make relocating simple. They handle the packing, driving, and unloading for you. But the more they have to move, the more you can expect to pay for the move itself. The best thing you can do is pare down your belongings before the movers get there. Look for items you no longer want or need and sell or donate those items. Throw out any broken items and recycle old technology and computers that are just taking up space in your closets. This will both speed up the move itself and save you money immediately.
Plan the Layout of Your New House
There’s no denying that moving is frustrating, but having to rearrange rooms over and over after they’re full of boxes makes the process even more aggravating. You can spare yourself the frustration by mapping out where you want those large pieces of furniture to go ahead of time. Think about where you want each item to go and make a note of it on a piece of paper. You can even sketch the layout out to play with different arrangements if you’re not sure what will work best. When the movers arrive, use those notes to direct them. This way, they’ll be able to handle the heavy lifting for you.
Call Your Utility Providers
When you get to your new house, you want everything to be ready to use as soon as you’re inside. This means you’ll need to contact your utility providers before the move-in date and let them know when everything needs to be turned on. You’ll also want to set a cancellation date for the utilities at your old property. This way, you’ll avoid overpaying or double-paying for utilities you’re not even using. Use this time to your advantage and shop around for different providers. You may be able to lower your costs at your new home!
Label Everything
Even when you hire movers, you’ll likely end up handling the packing yourself. This means you’re in charge of what goes in each box and are entirely responsible for knowing what’s inside. Do what you can to pack like items together and go one room at a time. After you fill each box, use a permanent marker to label the contents. This will help you stay organized when you start unpacking and can keep you from dealing with the frustration of opening box after box just to find that one item you need in the moment.
Always Pack an Overnight Bag
Even if your search for Littleton, CO, homes for sale leads you just down the block, you’ll find it incredibly difficult to get everything moved and unpacked in a single day. You’ll still need to access some items like medications, hygiene products, pajamas, and other necessities until you get settled in. Pack an overnight bag for everyone in the house and try to include enough supplies for 2-3 days. This way, you’ll be able to unpack at a leisurely pace. If you have pets, don’t forget about them, either! Fill a zipper bag or container with their food and make sure you keep their bowls out for easy access.
Walk Through Your Old House
Even the most thorough and responsible movers can occasionally miss an item. That’s why you need to take the time to walk through your old house before you hand the keys to your real estate agent. Check every closet, cabinet, and cupboard for items that might have been left behind. Do a final check in the garage, attic, basement, and any storage sheds you have on the property. Gather up any items you don’t want to leave and bring them to your new home yourself. Don’t worry—if there are things you want to leave for the new owners, just mention it to your real estate agent and they’ll be able to pass the message along.
Forward Your Mail
The one task that most homeowners forget when their search for Littleton, CO, homes for sale comes to an end is to notify people about their move and their new address. Stay ahead of the game and file your change of address as soon as you know you’re moving. Contact the service providers and subscriptions you want to maintain and let them know about your new address. Fill out a forwarding request with the post office to take care of anything that slips through the cracks. Don’t worry—you can specify a start-date for the mail forwarding in advance.
Finding Your Dream Home Is Just the Beginning
Searching for Littleton, CO, homes for sale can feel overwhelming and confusing, but once you find the right house, you still need to navigate the closing process. Contact our team and see how we can help take the stress out of your house hunt today.
