What should I do to make my move in go smoothly?
You've worked long and hard for this - the day you turn the keys on the front door of your new condominium. Congratulations! Following are some suggestion on where to begin:
Day 1
Get the pets settled
- Set out food and water.
- Let them sniff around their new surroundings.
- Choose a spot not too far from you to put their bedding.
- Try not to leave your pets in the new yard by themselves until you've had a few days to acquaint them with the new territory.
Unpack the essentials
- Unpack your Waiting-for-the-Moving-Van Survival Kit.
- Don't worry about unpacking everything the first day.
- Unpack your Open Me First box.
Check the house systems
- Be sure the heating and/or air conditioner work and set the thermostat
- Try out the electricity, phone, and water to confirm that you have service.
- Be sure all major appliances are plugged in and turned on.
- If you have gas, check the pilot lights on gas appliances.
Go grocery shopping
- Get provisions for breakfast and other easy to prepare food
Quickly clean up
Be sure you are safe
- Cover the windows. Statistics show a higher incidence of burglaries just after move in.
- Check all the locks on the house and vehicles
Week 1
- Unpack boxes
- Check with the building manager about how to dispose of empty boxes
- Choose an "all unpacked" date to drive you on
- Consider throwing a small housewarming party a few weeks after you move.
- Walk through the neighborhood
- Make a list of service calls to make
- Check the paint and note anything to be touched up or changed
- Make a list of fix-it jobs and needed supplies
- List people you still need to let know about your change of address
