Moving into a new home is always a special experience. At the same time, it is also regarded as one of the most stressful times in one’s life. Individuals must simultaneously pay attention to many things, from packing and cleaning to saying goodbye to their old home, which makes it a bittersweet episode. To make this transition smoother, we have discussed eight mistakes one must avoid while moving into a new home.

Not verifying if the new home is ready to move into
Individuals must check whether their new home is ready to move into before moving day. If the property or the space around it is undergoing renovations, it increases the risk of injuries, accidents, and allergies.

Not having the utilities up and running
For a hassle-free living experience, one must ensure that utilities like gas, water, electricity, and Wi-Fi are up and running. Failing to do so may cause frustration, unexpected delays, and increased expenses during the initial days in the new home.

Failing to hire a mover
Moving homes is a long and cumbersome process. Instead of trying to navigate the journey independently, individuals must hire a moving company. These professional services make the packing process stress-free by bringing their own resources, from boxes and protection material to moving trucks. However, one should ensure these services are booked well in advance to avoid mix-ups and last-minute delays.

Individuals should research well to find the right moving company according to their needs. When shortlisting names, one should consider the cost, services offered, and professionalism. Reading online reviews is also critical as it helps people make better-informed decisions and increases the likelihood of a smooth transition into the new home.

Not securing the new house well
Another common mistake people make when moving to a new home is failing to secure it against invaders and outside forces. Here are a few security aspects to consider before moving in:

• Locks
  Secure the new house by changing all the locks so only current occupants can access the property.
• Windows and doors
  Check whether the windows and doors shut tight and function properly. If not, fix them.
• Fire extinguisher
  Ensure a functional fire extinguisher is placed on every floor of the house.
• Escape route
  Create an escape route in case of emergencies, and share it with every occupant.
• Burglar alarm
  Depending on the neighborhood, installing a burglar alarm may help keep the house safe.

Skipping furniture measurements before the move
Before moving into the new house, individuals must measure it properly to ensure their furniture fits well. One must measure the doorways and hallways besides the living room, bedrooms, and other rooms. This step is critical in ensuring the furniture moves through easily to different living spaces.

Forgetting to pack a survival kit
Usually, there’s a lot of chaos on moving day. It is easy to get swept up in the havoc and forget basic items, such as cell phones, chargers, and wallets. To avoid rummaging through boxes later to find these things, individuals must pack them well. One must also pack a survival kit: a bag containing daily essentials like clothes, non-perishable snacks, toothbrushes, phone chargers, power banks, wallets, towels, and first aid supplies. If possible, people should create separate bags for each family member.

Neglecting one’s valuables
During a move, it is common to misplace items. To ensure no valuables are missed or lost, one must pack them securely. Important documents and other valuables like money, passports, birth certificates, jewelry, precious gifts, and property titles must always remain with the owner, not the movers.

Forgetting to change the address
When moving into a new home, one must immediately have their postal address changed with the USPS (United States Postal Services). Failure to do so may result in losing mail, essential bills, and documents and lead to other unnecessary problems. One can have their address changed in four simple ways:

• Visit the local post office to complete the Change of Address (COA) procedure.
• Log into the USPS official website and file a change of address request.
• Call 1-800-ASK-USPS and follow the prompts to change the address.
• Post or mail a filled-out PS Form 3575 to the Postmaster, United States Postal Service.