Answer these questions to decide if you should really move in on completion day

Answer these questions to decide if you should really move in on completion day

Moving house can be as exciting as it can be stressful, and the chances are that you’ll have dreamt of living in that space for months before your completion day. Understandably, then, you’re probably keen to get right in there and start making that new property feel like a home. In truth, though, moving in on completion day isn’t right for everyone.

The reality is that exchanging and completing on a property can be incredibly stressful, and it’s also rife with last-minute setbacks that mean you may not even get your keys until late in the day. Rushing to get your things in will then feel more like a marathon than a major life event to celebrate, and everyone will probably be a little worse for wear at the end of moving day.

Of course, sometimes, you don’t have a choice but to move straight out of your old property into a new one. But, instead of assuming that this is your only option, it may be worth asking yourself the following questions to determine whether moving on completion day is the right choice for your situation.

# 1 – Is there much work to do in your new home?

If you’re buying a modern property like a new-build, there’s probably a minimal amount of work to do to make that space liveable. As such, there’s no real obstacle to moving in right away. However, if you’re moving into an older property, you may need to undertake at least some renovation work to transform that space into what you want. In some cases, you may easily be able to live in the property at the same time without major disruption, but improvements like rewiring, plastering or knocking down walls are all best completed in an empty property. If you think you’ll need to embark on these projects, it’s typically easiest to make sure they’re finished before moving all your belongings, or yourselves, into the space.

# 2 – Can you feasibly delay?

If you’re selling one property to move into another, you may have no real choice but to move on completion day, as you’ll need to vacate your old property for the new owners. However, if you’re renting a property right now, or are living with friends and family, then you’ll likely have a little more leeway about when you actually move in. Something as simple as extending your rental for an additional month can buy you a lot of wriggle room for a more relaxed, considered moving process. Alternatively, if you’re keen to complete work or hold off moving right away, it’s worth looking into potential storage for your belongings, and asking loved ones if they’d be willing to let you stay with them for a week or two.

# 3 – What about professional deadlines?

To some extent, your actual moving date will also depend on the professionals you need to help you complete the process. For instance, if you’re having renovation work done, you may need to delay your move for a month or more depending on predicted finish dates. Alternatively, you should talk to a removal company like W Removals about their availability. It may be that they can only move you on completion day, in which case, you’d be best off simply going ahead. Or, they may not have availability until after that date, in which case delay might be best.

# 4 – What’s your preference?

It’s also important to remember that this is your moving day, so personal preference and convenience should also come into play. You may be so keen to get straight into a property you’ve already waited for that the idea of a slightly stressful few hours doesn’t bother you. Or, you may prefer to hold off, so that you can get in and decorate/clean that space before you let your family loose. Either way, it’s important to take your own needs into account. Considering your needs in this way can certainly make your life easier during an inevitably stressful time!

Takeaway

There’s no right or wrong answer to when you should move into your new property, but these questions could, at least, help you explore your options for a moving day that’s entirely suited to your needs. After all, no rule says you absolutely need to move on completion day itself if you’re not comfortable with that. Alternatively, if you think a moving delay would make you miserable or ruin the excitement, there’s nothing to say you can’t get straight down to it and start settling in!

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What should your first purchases be for your new home?

What should your first purchases be for your new home?

You may have signed the paperwork and secured your mortgage but knowing where to start when buying those first few purchases for your new home can prove to be tricky. Whatever your end goal, whether you plan to settle there or use it as an investment property to sell on, these pointers will help you decide on what to invest in first.

Prep in advance

Lucky enough to have time on your side? You can minimise the number of last-minute shopping trips by picking up a few items in advance. From cutlery to soft furnishings, gathering smaller items will mean you can transfer them straight into your new property to make the place instantly feel more homely.

This is also a more cost-effective option if you want to avoid having to splash out in bigger batches later down the line. By boxing up a few items beforehand, you can save yourself money and time.

Security

No one wants to be at risk of theft while settling into a new home. Simple habits like remembering to lock the doors and keeping valuables hidden will put you in a better position; however, many opt for a quality home security system.

Although this is a heftier investment, it will give you peace of mind. To make this purchase more accessible you could pay through instalments. Alternatively, you could use finance and simultaneously boost your credit score, assuming you’re able to manage the repayments.

White goods

White goods, otherwise known as domestic items like fridges, freezers and washing machines are essentials. It can be a struggle to maintain your usual household routine without them.

By ensuring these items are installed as soon as possible, you’ll be able to get your first food shop done and get your clothes washed straight away – both things that will help you to feel more settled in your new home.

Furnishings

There’s nothing more frustrating than waiting for large furnishings, such as a bed or sofa to arrive. Items like these can take months to turn up, so getting an order in sooner rather than later is crucial.

A bed is especially important to maintain a regular and healthy sleep cycle. Moving is stressful enough without having a poor sleeping pattern from an unsatisfactory, temporary bed arrangement.

Décor

Making your house a home is a big project and assembling pieces of décor in the lead up to moving will help you put your stamp on the place sooner rather than later. Deciding on themes for rooms will help you coordinate items that will bring the space to life.

Rugs, artwork and lighting will make a big difference when it comes to creating the right mood in your space. Alongside your personal touches such as photographs and other accessories, you’ll soon feel right at home after adding additional décor details.

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7 things to do when you move in

7 things to do when you move in

It’s exciting to move into a new home, but the whole experience can be quite stressful. You want to make sure that it’s in the best condition possible when you to move in all of your things. You need to ensure that you make all the right choices for your requirements and there are many things that you have to consider before moving day.

From choosing to hire a company such as Eco Bond Carpet Cleaning, to deciding whether to get a professional window cleaner in, you want your home looking in the best possible condition for your arrival day. In this post, we’re going to talk about all of the things to do when you move in.

  • Clean the floors. The carpet cleaning company that we mentioned earlier is another perfect option for cleaning all the carpets in the property. You’ll spend a lot of time on your floor so you want to make sure that they are both comfortable and attractive. Having a company to do the stonework and the wood and treat it in a way that it’s easier to maintain is important. It’s a smart idea to have hard-wearing flooring in the high traffic areas of the home; materials such as stone, tile, laminate or hardwood. Choose soft carpets for the lesser used rooms such as the bedrooms.
  • Freshen up the paint work. If you’re looking to upgrade the new house that you’re moving into, painting is often the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to do things. Depending on your budget, you could do this yourself, but if you don’t have the time you could hire a professional. Experiment with the colours and shades that you’re choosing; and remember that colours won’t appear the same once they’re dry. If you can, apply paint from sample pots to test on the wall before investing in full-sized tins.
  • Consider keyless entry. When it comes to installing home security this is a good starting point. This type of entry system could utilise either keypad or personalised fingerprint technology. No more lost or forgotten keys! Having the right lock and key system will keep your house secure.
  • Install a fitted wardrobe system. There are installation companies that are able to put this in for you, so you can avoid having huge armoires or dressers. Who needs dressers when you have a made-to-measure cupboard design that professionals can install in every bedroom? The best thing about these systems is that they’re not particularly expensive and they can add value to the house if you choose to sell up in the future.
  • Identify what needs modernising. From your plumbing to your electrical system, you may not be satisfied with their current condition. Have a qualified plumber and/or electrician have a look at your systems to ascertain whether they are in good condition or whether they need an upgrade. Doing this can save you a lot of hassle in the future.
  • Add more storage. When you move into your new house, especially if you’ve downsized, you may need to add extra storage. This is your new home, and all of your things need to find somewhere to live. Storage is going to help you here, especially garage storage.

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How to move your plants when you move home

How to move your plants when you move home

Moving home can be one of life’s most stressful activities. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way. If you plan ahead effectively, your move will be exciting rather than stressful. Part of this involves ensuring that your most cherished possessions arrive safely. For many people, that includes their plants. Here are some tips to help move your plants to their new location successfully.

Moving boxes and plant in a kitchen

Get packing in good time

Even if you have the budget for professional removers, it can be more useful to use mobile storage solutions like https://www.mobistorage.com.au/moving-house/perth/. The benefit of this is that it allows you to pack your belongings yourself at your own pace. This allows you to declutter as you go rather than leaving it to the last minute.

Taking the pain out of the main household move will give you more time and energy (and money) to organise the removal of your more precious items. As a rule of thumb, pets and any very personal items should generally travel with you. Plants may go in your car (or on public transport). You might, however, want to arrange alternative transport for them.

Taking cuttings from a favourite plant

Moving garden plants

Before you move outdoor garden plants, make sure that you legally can. If you’ve sold a home with a garden then the garden plants may be considered to be a part of that sale unless you clearly specify otherwise. If you’re a tenant, then the plants will probably belong to your landlord unless you planted them yourself. Taking seeds or cuttings is often a better option.

You’ll also need to consider the practicalities of finding a new home for your garden plants. Even if your new garden or allotment is geographically close to your old one, the conditions may be significantly different. For example, the soil may be more acid or alkaline, there may be a different balance of openness and shelter and/or of light and shade.

If, however, you’re confident that you can take at least some of your garden plants with you and give them a happy new home, it’s generally possible to move them. Prune them back as hard as possible ahead of your moving day. Then uproot them as close as possible to your moving day. Try to dig when the soil is warm rather than cold or hot. Leave plenty of room for the roots. All these steps will minimise trauma to the plants.

House plants in a cardboard box on a checkerboard floor

Pack and load your plants for stability

Once you have all your plants gathered together, you need to pack them for stability. For example, tie branches together and add canes for support. Consider adding weights to pots. Try to pack smaller pots in trays with lips so the pots support each other. Keep the weight balanced across the tray.

When you load your plants, keep stability in mind. If you have a lot of plants, using a van can be far easier than using a car. Whatever transport you use, make sure that larger plants (and their pots) are going to stay put and not crush smaller ones.

If you’re going any more than a very short distance, give your plants a good drink before you leave. In fact, if you’re going a long distance in hot weather, you may need to rehydrate them periodically during your trip.

House plants arrived in their new home

Making your plants feel at home

Check your plants thoroughly for transport damage and if you find any deal with it promptly. Replant garden plants as quickly as you can and water them in thoroughly.

Try to give all your plants the same conditions they had in your old home. Container plants will generally adapt easily, garden plants will often need more attention. In particular, they’ll probably need extra water and possibly food until their roots are completely back to normal.

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