New digs? Check. Pinterest board at the ready? Check. Trip to Ikea written in stone? Double check. You might think you have move-in day sorted, but a smooth transition into your new abode requires a few extra phone calls.
Here are 10 simple things to do that will make your move a whole lot easier.
Financial
Double-check the fine print from the bank
Make sure that your loan is set up exactly how you asked for. Whether that’s interest rates or fixed vs variable. Home loans are your biggest financial commitment so it’s worth make sure you get it right!
Set up automagic payments
Forgetting to meet your mortgage repayments doesn’t look good to the banks, and you’ll also mess up your credit score. By setting up a direct debit instead of relying on your memory, you’re taking the mental effort out of the equation. No more leaving things till the last second. Simple.
Set up a scheduled transfer to pay a little bit extra
This one’s for the eager beavers out there. If you set up an automatic transfer of at least $100 a month, you’ll cut months or even years off your loan. All it takes is two less dinners out a month, or 10 less trips to Gelato Messina. You can do it! I have faith in you.
Logistics
Set up building and contents insurance
You’ve worked hard to buy this home, so make sure you protect it like you would your spleen. After all, you pay for ealth insurance to protect the body you live in, so make sure you do that same courtesy with your home.
The premium you’ll pay per month will depend on a few factors, including the materials of the home, the neighbourhood, and how secure it is. If you’re looking for a bargain, choose an online provider. There are many.
Repairs
There’s no better time to renovate or fix fittings and fixtures than when there’s no one else in the house. If you’re planning on eventually tearing up that bathroom, think about getting the hard work out of the way when your family won’t be inconvenienced by limited access and noise.
Pest service if house
If your new home is vacant a week or so before move in day, use that time wisely to go ghost busters on any creepy crawlies that might be lingering. Even if you don’t see any pests lurking, it’s a good idea to play it safe. Getting rid of bed bugs and roaches is a lot harder when your exterminator has to maneuver around furniture, and this way you’ll avoid harmful chemicals.
Clean all the things
If the previous owners are nice, they’ll have given the place a rough clean when moving out. But if they weren’t renting, they likely wouldn’t have had to ensure the place was spick and span to get their bond back. So take it as a given that you’ll likely need to either hire someone or do some good old fashioned scrubbing yourself. But think of it this way – it’ll be easy if you do it before you move in, because there’ll be no furniture to dance around. Easy!
Address changes
Apart from redirecting your mail through Australia post, you’ll need to call or email all of your utility companies and local council before you move in. These include gas, water, internet, local council to register your pets, updating your voter registration, changing your address on your driver’s license and car registration.
A few other things:
Find where the main circuit breaker and water mains are
Black out? Make sure everything is labeled on your circuit breaker so you know what to do in case you lose power.
Know how to turn the water off if you have a leak.
Say hi to your new neighbours
Niceness goes a long way, particularly if you might need them to water your plants next Christmas.
Tell everyone on Facebook
You don’t have to give out your address obviously, but a humble brag will let everyone know not to swing past your old place next Friday night for drinks.
To sum it up
Picture this: you and your family, walking into your new Sydney home, ready to settle down and get your Matt Blatt furniture set up. And what got you here, in such a calm and controlled state of mind? Tying up your lose ends before you moved in. What a feeling.