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You’ve found the perfect home and have successfully moved in. Congratulations! Now while you may want to immediately start celebrating and enjoying it, there’s still much to be done after that moving truck has left.

Some items will need immediate attention, while others can be done within the following weeks after moving. With over 30 years of experience, Ernest Homes knows a thing or two about the process of moving into a new house. Using our expertise, we’ve created a list of tips for transitioning to a new town or state as well as some general moving tips to help you out.

A Checklist to Help with Moving into a New Home

There are so many things to do when moving into a new home that it can be overwhelming to even think about, let alone do. Not only do you have many boxes to unpack and organize, but you also have several key things to set up to make the transition as smooth as possible. This is especially important if you’re moving far, like to a new county or state.

Tips for Transitioning

1. Prepare Your New Utilities and Services

One of the first things you’ll want to do after moving is making sure all of your utilities, services, and accounts are connected and working. This includes electricity, gas, water, sewage, cable, phone, and internet. If you’ve moved far enough, you may even need to update bank accounts if your current bank is not offered in your new area. Once connected, make sure everything is in working order so you can enjoy the simple luxuries of modern life.

2. Take a Trip to the DMV

If you’ve moved to a new state, stop by the DMV to get a new driver’s license and new tags for your vehicle. If you’re still in the same state, make sure you update your ID and tags with your new address. To avoid the hassle of a potentially long wait at the DMV, consider checking online or calling to see if there’s anything you can do online instead, such as filling out necessary forms.

3. Update Your Emergency Contacts List

Now that you’re in a new location, having an updated list of emergency contacts is a great way to have peace of mind in case of an emergency. Make sure your list contains local phone numbers and addresses for the police department, nearby hospitals, the fire department, and other emergency services.

4. Request a Change-of-Address

The post office isn’t the only place you should think about when updating your address. Change the address for any previous subscriptions you may have participated in, as well as your frequently used online shopping sites.

5. Transfer Medical Records

Along with finding a new health provider, you’ll want to make sure all of your records are transferred to them. Any new insurance updates should also be included, so you’re well prepared in case of an unexpected health issue.

6. Think About Children & Pets

If you have small children and pets, make a note to organize what you’ll need to prepare for their transition as well. This could include registering your kids for school, baby proofing the home, finding a new vet, and getting pets acclimated.

7. Keep Tabs On Moving Receipts

Gather moving receipts and documentation and put them in a safe place. Include items from the sale of your old home (if applicable), papers from the moving company or truck you used, and everything you accumulated from the purchase of your new home. This may be helpful during tax time.

Tips for Moving

1. Assess & Clean Your New Space

Before unpacking, it’s worth taking a little time to make sure your home is as clean as you like. Especially the kitchen and bathrooms. You may also want to assess your living areas and think about potential furniture arrangements.

2. Unpack Essentials First

While you may want to rush and unpack everything all at once, start with the most essential items. Having things readily accessible for your morning and nightly routine will help to avoid endless searching when you’re too exhausted from moving.

3. Take Inventory & Check for Damage

Once you’ve gotten your furniture and moving boxes piled in, it’s time to make sure there are no damaged or missing items. Take inventory of items as you unpack to confirm. If you’ve used a moving company or purchased insurance, you can easily file a claim or lodge a complaint for the damages.

4. Decorate & Organize

For some, this can be one of the most fun parts of moving. Unpack things one at a time and get all of your belongings in their proper places with organizers, racks, and storage bins. Then, you can start putting up your previous decorations or have fun shopping for new decor that better fits your new home.

5. Meet Your Neighbors

Developing a community is an important part of living a full and healthy life. Start by getting to know your neighbors. This is a great way to create a sense of belonging and shared identity in your local area.

6. Get Familiar With Your New Surroundings

It’s important to get familiar with your new area. Sure, you could simply Google search for local goods and services, but physically getting out of the house and experiencing them is much more fun! Plus, it’ll be another chance to establish new friendships.

Whether it’s to a new town, state, or down the road, you can use this list as a guide after moving into a new home. If you’re considering moving but not sure yet where to live, this is a great time to visit one of Ernest Homes neighborhoods and available homes in Coastal Georgia. When you’re ready, we’re more than happy to help! Give us a call or connect with us online for more information.