Getting Settled Into Your New Home

Congratulations!  The mortgage papers are all signed, and you have received your keys to your new home.  You think that the stress is finally over, but there is still moving day looming.

There are a lot of things that must not be overlooked before you can put your feet up and relax.  Moving can be very stressful no matter who you are and how many times you have moved.  Being organized can ease some of the stress for when the move-in day comes.

1.  Go through all of your belongings.  Donate what you no longer use or throw away items that are beyond repair.  Why move objects that are no longer useful to you?
2. Ensure that you have all of your boxes labeled to make unpacking a breeze.   Nothing is worse than trying to find an item when everything is a brown box.
3. Change your address; you are required by law to update your address with the MVA and the post office.  Changing your address will only take a few minutes and most of the time can be done quickly and done online.
4. Transfer your utility and services in advance so that they are active within your new home.  No one wants to move into a new home and realize that there is no power when you flip a switch.  So make sure to contact the gas, electric, water, cable and phone services.
5. Always check the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  You may want to change these to the new 10-year smoke detectors. Otherwise, it would be best to make sure that the existing ones have fresh batteries and that they are in good working order.  You want to change your detectors about every ten years.
6. Make sure to have all of your paperwork in order, like birth certificates, medical records, and insurance.  Sometimes these items can get lost in the shuffle.
7. If your children are going to a new school district, the schools usually require proof of residency.
8. Get familiar with your home, doing so will help you out in the long run. You want to know where the shut-off valves and the circuit breakers are in case of leaks or trips in the breaker.