Moving from an apartment to your first house is a big step and an exciting change! It means more space, maybe a backyard, and a chance to really make a place your own. Whether you're buying your first home or upgrading to a bigger rental, the transition can feel a bit overwhelming. Don't worry, though — our guide is here to help you navigate the move smoothly, from packing tips to setting up your new home, making sure you feel prepared and excited about your new beginning.
Plan Your Move Well in Advance
It’s no secret that moving is time-consuming, but lists can help alleviate some additional stress or anxiety as the final day draws closer. Lists can help you not only visualize what still needs completing but also organize what to pack, whom to notify that you’re moving, what needs finishing before and after the move, and where you packed items you’ll need on day one.
Moving and packing lists are game changers, so be sure to make them. It’s also helpful to cross out items that are already done. It’ll not only help you stay organized but can instill confidence that you’re on the right path and being productive as you prepare for next steps.
Hiring movers may be one of, if not the most, helpful investments you can make during your move. They’re trained and experienced, and they understand efficiency. Rather than unpacking a dresser and moving each piece yourself, movers can seal it and carry it out as is. Unsure if a table will fit through a doorway? Movers encounter concerned homeowners regularly, and they know how to make even the smallest of spaces work with your furniture.
Declutter Before You Pack
You’re moving from a small apartment to a larger house — you should be able to bring everything, right?
Well, you can — but that doesn’t mean that you should. Just because you’ve accumulated clothing, decor items, and random trinkets throughout the years doesn’t mean they need to travel with you from your old apartment to your new home. While they may have fond memories associated with them, it’s important to declutter and donate some of your older items that you don’t need in your new house. You can also look into selling valuable items if you feel others could use them.
Cleaning and decluttering help in several ways. It cuts down on the number of items you have to pack up and then unpack at your new home. It also helps you boil down to the necessities that will truly bring value to your new location and start fresh. Giving away used or old shoes, donating books you’ve already read, giving away clothing that’s been gathering dust in your closet, and even selling art or decor that you’re ready to refresh are just a few ways you can clean up and clear out before moving to your new home.
Set Up Your Utilities Before You Move
To ensure your new home is comfortable and functional as soon as you move in, set up your utilities ahead of time. This includes electricity, water, gas, internet, and trash services. Contact utility providers a few weeks before your move to schedule service starts dates. Sometimes, service appointments can be booked weeks in advance, so early planning is crucial to avoid any disruptions.
This stuff may not have been your responsibility when you rented or owned an apartment, but it is now — so don’t put it off!
Prepare Your Home Maintenance Budget
Transitioning from an apartment to a house involves new types of expenses. Beyond the mortgage, you’ll need to account for property taxes, home insurance, maintenance costs, and potentially higher utility bills. Make sure to budget for initial repairs or renovations your new home might need before moving in. Understanding these costs upfront will help you manage your finances effectively and avoid surprises.
Make Your Home-Care To-Do List
Not everything at your new home will cost money alone. Some of it will cost time, too. Creating a seasonal chore list — and sticking to it — is very important. From essential maintenance tasks like winterizing to seasonal spruce-ups like spring cleaning, there’s a lot to do in your new home!
Don’t get overwhelmed: Just make that list, double-check it, and follow it religiously. Doing so will keep your maintenance on schedule and go a long way toward keeping major crises from piling up on you.
Personalize Your Space Gradually
While it's tempting to want everything perfect right away, take your time personalizing and decorating your new house. Live in your space for a while to see how you use it and what works best for you and your family. Start with essential furniture, and gradually add decorative items and additional pieces that enhance the comfort and functionality of your home. This approach not only spreads out the expenses but also helps you create a more tailored and meaningful environment over time.
Don’t Lose Sight of Why You Bought a House
Moving from an apartment to a house is a big deal, especially if you’re moving out of a city and into the suburbs or a more rural area. You probably thought long and hard about this decision, and you own it. But taking advantage of your new situation may not come as automatically as you think.
Just like you might have had to remind yourself to take advantage of things to do in the city, you’ll need to remind yourself to take advantage of your house.
So make a to-do list, and write down your hopes and dreams. Plan excursions for yourself or with your family, and discuss ways to use your new space. Act on your dreams, and make use of your house and your space!
Regardless of your goals, make sure you exchange contact information with at least a few locals. They also know the area better than you, so it’s most likely a benefit to hear their opinions. If you’re moving to one of the most outdoor-friendly states, you’ll want to know your neighbors’ suggestions and hear about their most-visited spots.
Secure a List of Trusted Resources
It takes a village to make your new home truly livable. Identify local, trusted resources around you, including friends, electricians, appliance technicians, and other professionals that you can rely on should you need to reference them. Of course, you can’t always anticipate issues or urgent situations, and we hope you never need to use emergency resources. However, it’s smart to lock these down immediately instead of scrambling when the need arises.
Your previous apartment most likely had a maintenance team or at least a property management company on standby, but being a homeowner means you will have to handle everything. That’s one of the best parts about having neighbors and local resources, though. Now, you have the luxury of finding people you know and trust versus relying on a mandated point of contact.
Be Proactive … About Everything!
Proactivity is key when it comes to preparing for a successful move from an apartment to a new house. Locking in movers ahead of time once you know your move-out date will settle that portion of the process while you focus on other priority items. Disconnecting cable service and setting up water, internet, and electricity services in your new home are also easy items to knock off your list as early as possible to avoid last-minute scrambles. They will be inevitable, and it’s helpful to control the controllable and be as prepared as possible.
A unique aspect of no longer living in an apartment is that you’ll be free to select the utilities and service providers of your choice instead of using the ones provided by the building in your old place. Everyone likes saving money! A moving calculator can be incredibly useful and save you money in the long run, as it has everything you’ll be comparing all in one place. Other items, such as updating your voter registration and your address, are doable well ahead of your actual move date. Did you know you might also need to register your pet in your new location after a move? You can take care of some of these items in advance and enjoy your new home to its fullest.