How to Handle Moving From an Apartment to a House

Remember your first adult days when your only concern was how to move out for the first time. It was challenging but doable. Now, you’re much more mature and responsible, so this step shouldn’t be a problem for you. If you create a moving to-do list with all details, you won’t be panicking about the most commonly forgotten things to pack or where to get free moving boxes. We’ve prepared useful moving tips, and relocation hacks to help you overcome moving stress related to the space transition from a cramped apartment to a large residence.

Moving from Apartment to House Checklist Is a Must

Thinking about things you need for your first apartment might look like an ancient past that you remember with a dose of nostalgia. Now, instead of wondering what you need to rent an apartment, think about preliminary and pre-moving steps before relocating to your new place – a house you own. Differences exist, and the main is related to your obligations as a homeowner. Tenants usually do not need to worry when something breaks or needs to be repaired. When you own a home, you’re your own landlord, and maintenance is your problem.

But, before you become a proud homeowner, you should take care of many things. One of the most important is to create a relocation checklist and moving expenses checklist. These lists are an aid people often use when they want to finish their tasks smoothly. They compensate for people’s attention and memory limits. One of the essential examples of moving checklists is the so-called to-do list. Tasks that should be jotted down on this list, which will take you more time than any others, are related to the packing process, packing supplies, and hiring long distance movers. That’s why it’s important to write down each task and break down bigger tasks into many smaller ones.

Make Sure to Hire an Efficient and Reliable Moving Company With the Right Insurance Policies

Why is it essential to pick the professional cross country movers when it comes to long-distance relocation? Your household possessions are valuable, and they have emotional value for you. Packing is a process that requires time, patience, and experience. You can store items like your clothes, toiletries, or shoes by yourself, but dishes, plates, and electronics are too fragile to pack them alone. Also, you should know what kind of materials are necessary to pack them properly and have knowledge about different packing methods. That being said, professional packers will take care of your stuff and make sure they come to your new house in one piece.

Keep in mind that finding reliable long-distance movers means the possibility to provide you with the right insurance coverage. Some movers offer basic coverage based on your items’ weight, which is $0.60 per pound. So, try to hire movers where you can opt for additional coverage. This will depend on your removal company because each mover has its certain rules and specific insurance policy. Usually, movers don’t want to insure anything that you packed yourself. So, in order to avoid potential moving scams, find out all details and ask for a copy of the insurance policies before choosing cross country movers. This might also be a perfect opportunity to find out some packing tips for moving, such as what items movers won’t move or how to pack books for moving.

Furniture and Other Important Steps When Moving from Apartment to Home

Whether you’re moving for love, expanding your family, or looking for a bigger yard because you’re moving with pets, there are few important things to consider before you upsize. In addition to dealing with some practical issues, such as how to change your address or choosing the best time of year to move, some things are essential for you to remember before moving from an apartment to a house. You do not need to purchase all the necessary furniture for your future space. You can note this and plan ahead or just buy the missing pieces of furniture when your finances allow you.

Think About New Furniture and Things You’ve Always Wanted to Have Before You Move

Of course, you can use your old furniture if you have any, but don’t be surprised by the fact that the house requires more furniture due to its larger layout and more rooms. So, remember that you’ll have much more storage space not only for your kids’ activities or gym equipment but for all shoes and apparel, in case you’ve been wondering whether or not to donate clothes for the homeless. All in all, your future dwelling will provide you with plenty of space, hidden nooks and crannies, and patio areas where you can spend enjoyable moments.

Obtain New Tools for Yard Maintenance

The front yard and back yard are parts of the house surroundings requiring regular maintenance, starting from the lawn, hedge, swimming pool area if there’s one, and patio with table, chairs, and essentials. So, you should obtain lawnmowers, gardening tools, sprinklers, rakes, and other outdoor items if you want to enjoy your little oasis.

Don’t Leave Old Locks – Change Them

When relocating into a new residence where you’re not the first owner, you should think about having new locks installed. You can’t know who the previous owners could have given keys to, so do that just to be safe.

One of the Most Important Tips – Complete a Full Home Inspection Before You Move

You don’t want to enter your beautiful home without checking all structural and electrical issues. In order to undertake a complete home inspection, contact home inspectors and ask them to visit your residence before your move-in date. This will provide you with peace of mind, and you’ll exactly know in what condition is your dwelling place. Also, during these preparatory steps, do not forget to set up utility services and meet your first neighbors.

Investing in a Home Will Help You Save Money in the Long Run and Reduce Your Mortgage Costs

Buying a house is one of the biggest investments in your life. Yet, when purchasing it, you have more control over rising dwelling costs. You do not need to worry about higher rent, while a fixed-rate mortgage loan guarantees the same loan payment annually for the next 20 or 30 years. Although borrowing for housing is expensive, you should consider several strategies to reduce your monthly mortgage payments. Also, they will help you cut the overall costs:

• You can modify your loan qualifying for a reduced interest rate
• If you buy a less expensive home, it will affect the lower loan and property taxes and insurance. Also, a smaller household means smaller bills
• Refinance your mortgage
• Rent out part of your home (if you have the extra space.)

It’s Not Just About Money – It’s About Comfort and Your Idea About Life

Many people agree that renting is throwing away money. On the other hand, those who rent know precisely how much they’re going to spend on housing each month. When you’re a homeowner, there are always some additional costs related to maintenance or house repair. Still, homeownership will bring you some great benefits, such as a sense of stability and ownership pride. Yet, there are two sides to a coin. Even if the monthly mortgage payment is similar to the monthly rent, the overall costs of ownership tend to be higher than the general expenses of renting. When you’re a homeowner, here are some expenses you should deal with:

• Repairs and maintenance
• Property taxes
• Water and sewer service
• Trash pickup
• Tree trimming
• Pest control
• Homeowners insurance
• Pool cleaning
• Earthquake insurance and lender-required flood insurance (in some areas.)

Despite the financial risk and added costs, many people choose to own over renting. If they are family-oriented, owning provides a secure and permanent place to raise kids. Also, when having your own dreams about a perfect dwelling place, homeownership can fulfill all your wishes. You can create the sort of residence you’ve always wanted to have. That being said, the decision to own is not just money-related but emotional as well.

Additional Tips for Moving into Your First House

When moving into your residence for the first time, it’s easy to forget something important. As we mentioned before, all smaller and bigger tasks should be written down on your moving checklist and help you prepare all essentials in due course. Here are a few more suggestions to find a place on your to-do list and make your relocation stress-free:

• Label all your boxes, and don’t forget to highlight the fragile contents
• Research neighborhood’s public and private schools
• Find new healthcare providers
• Think about reserving a storage unit near you if you’re downsizing
• If you’re relocating to another state, you should register your car and get a new driver’s license
• Clean your old place before you move
• Organize a moving away party.

Is Living in a House Better Than Living in an Apartment

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. As you could see, an important factor, besides money, is your own feeling about your prospective living space. It’s good to take into consideration all aspects and weigh the pros and cons. If you don’t have time to be responsible for all yard work, repairs, and preventative maintenance, the house is not for you.

Still, if you have a desire for a better, modern home with more space and located in a safer and greener neighborhood, house owning might be your best bet. Also, if you get tired of paying rent and need your own outdoor area to have friends over to barbeque, moving from an apartment to a house is the perfect step for you and your family.