BY GUEST BLOGGER NATALIE JONES OF HOMEOWNERBLISS.INFO

In a perfect world, buying a new home would be an exciting adventure with no unexpected surprises, but the process can prove overwhelming without preparation. Thankfully, there’s a lot you can do to make moving easier from start to finish.

Know Your Needs

Finding a home will be simplified by knowing your needs. For example, do you have children or are you planning to start a family? This may narrow your focus to homes with yards and extra bedrooms. Location is important, too. After all, you want your family to be close to amenities like hospitals and schools. You may also have nuanced preferences. Property websites let you search based on details like the amount of bedrooms and bathrooms you want, and a realtor can help you find an abode with your preferred building materials, style, and other specific features. These professionals can refine your search to ensure you find a home that matches your wants and needs.

Consider Your Budget

Purchasing a home can be intimidating, but setting a budget helps ensure you won’t overextend yourself. Establish what you can afford, and don’t push yourself beyond that. Sift through your monthly expenses, and compare them to your income. This will enable you to gauge the impact homeownership will have on your finances. You don’t want a mortgage to force cuts to family essentials. Don’t overlook moving costs, either. Sure, they’re one-off expenses, but they can be a shock to your budget if you don’t plan for them.

Organizing Your Belongings

Our homes are full of memories and mementos. Packing them needs a structured approach, and should be done weeks before your move. First, sort between the things you want to keep and let go of. Of course, this may be a difficult process, so start in areas where there is less emotional attachment. Do you have old clothes or books you no longer need? Consider giving them to charity or loved ones. Unless you simply cannot bear to part with something, think on whether it needs to follow you. Each box should be labeled descriptively so you know what it contains and where its contents will go in your new place. As a precaution, try to keep boxes below 50 pounds. Anything heavier could cause a serious injury if it’s lifted incorrectly or dropped.

Hiring Professionals

Moving a lifetime’s worth of belongings can be stressful and risky. This is especially true if you have fragile items or bulky possessions. You may find that the best option is professional assistance. A reputable moving company will have ample experience and the right equipment to make relocating smoother for you. Your movers should provide a full inventory of your belongings, which will keep you organized and fully insured against accidents. Prices vary, but movers typically cost about $699. While professionals can save you money, be vigilant in researching anyone you’re considering hiring. Check online reviews and compare prices, and above all, only use licensed companies who don’t charge you before the job is finished.

Make the Big Day Smoother

Planning ahead will make the moving process easier. If you don’t already have one, build a checklist of all that has to be done before the big day. Do you need to cancel or transfer utility services? Have you informed everyone of your new address? Do you know what the weather will be like on moving day? Are you stocked up on the basics? Though you may not have immediate use for light bulbs and cleaning products, having them on hand offers peace of mind. You should also pack an overnight bag. Remember, it may take time to organize and unpack your belongings, so have essentials like snacks and toiletries readily accessible. Be sure to have cash, too, in case of an emergency.

Buying a home can be a dream come true, but it takes a little work to make sure everything goes according to plan. Know your specific needs, don’t exceed your budget, and plan in advance so your big day will go smoothly.

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