The Ultimate Checklist: How to Make a Smooth and Stress-Free Move into Your New Home

Moving into a new home is exciting, but is often overshadowed by unplanned issues during the final weeks. We have created the ultimate survival guide to ensure that your last few months go as smoothly as possible.

2 Months Before the Move

Congratulations! Whether it’s down the street or out-of-state, you’re on a new journey, and we couldn’t be more excited for you. Here are the key tasks to ensure a hassle-free move…

• Find your current lease and review what needs to be done before you leave your current apartment. Most landlords request a signed document and/or at least a month’s notification that you’re leaving so they can list the property. If you have renter’s insurance, transfer it to your next apartment.
• Hire professional movers, enlist family members, ask friends on Facebook what they’re up to during your anticipated move date. Make sure you have plenty of help ahead of time. Bribing friends with pizza never hurts!
• Notify everyone important to you about your move. Keep in mind your child’s school, employers, local organizations and basically anyone else that would need to know you and your family’s change of address.
• Ask family, friends, neighbors, or your local grocery store for boxes you can use for the move. Buy other necessary supplies like packing tape, bubble wrap and markers.

4-5 Weeks Before You Move:

The big day is almost here! Here are the top 5 actions to check off your to-do list a month away from the move:

• Ask for measurements. Prior to moving, ask your new landlord for measurements of doorways in your new space. This will help you prepare a moving plan in advance of the big day.
• Call your moving company. Ask questions about whether they have any restrictions of items or furniture that they wouldn’t be able to move. Make other arrangements if necessary.
• Do an apartment overhaul. Take inventory of the stuff in your current apartment. Has that sofa seen better days? Consider donating things to lighten the load for when you move, list your stuff on a site like Craigslist or Swappa, or hold a yard sale if your property manager doesn’t mind.
• Schedule cancellations or transfers of your utilities. That includes gas, internet, cable, electricity and water delivery services. Change your address with your bank and fill out a US Postal Service address form.
• Request off of work. If you’re planning to move on a weekday, make sure you request off from work now.
• Pet care. Make sure Fluffy or Fido will have proper care while you’re busy on moving day. Arrange for a loved one to pet sit or contact your vet to see if they can board them for a night or two.

2-3 Weeks Prior:

You’re probably busy counting down the days until your move into your new apartment! Here’s the latest to make sure you’re ready:

• Tie up any loose ends from the 4-5-week checklist.
• See what your landlord requires as far as cleaning or re-painting your apartment goes.
• Hire a cleaning company for a day, or roll up your sleeves and break out the Swiffers and Lysol yourself.
• Confirm your day off from work.
• Begin packing if you haven’t already. Start with the most non-essential stuff first. It’ll save you from having to make a late-night run to the drugstore for a toothbrush that you already packed away somewhere.

1 Week Away:

Getting closer! Good job on making it this far. You’re the ultimate task-master and you should feel good about all you’ve done to prepare for a stress-free move so far. Here’s the latest round of to-dos:

• Finish up with all of your packing. Label your boxes and group the boxes together for each room. That way it will be easier to unpack everything. Write an inventory list as you go along.
• Pack an “essentials” box or two. This should include things like toiletries, clothes, sheets and cookware that you’ll need for your very first night in the new place.
• Confirm dates. Ensure that the installation dates for your utilities, childcare and pet care arrangements are all set.
• Schedule a complete walk-through of the apartment. Set up a walk-through with your landlord to make sure you’ve done everything to get your security deposit back.

Moving Day!

Before you get started hauling boxes around and delegating tasks, take a moment to appreciate the day. You’re prepared, and you’re ready to rock this move!

• Pack everything into your truck or car and check every inch of your apartment before handing over the keys to your super.
• Confirm your payment method with your movers. For the friends you’ve enlisted, let them know pizza is on its way!
• Walk through your new apartment with your landlord before you start unpacking. Take pictures of any existing damage so you won’t be held responsible later on.
• Prioritize what boxes need to be unpacked first. If you hired movers, make sure they have delivered everything.

Now sit back, relax and enjoy your first day in your new apartment!

Brightstar Realty & Rentals is a full service real estate broker and property manager providing management, sales, and leasing services to property owners and tenants. Our team provides services to the following Northern NJ counties: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Sussex, Union, and Warren counties.