• 11/25/2020

After the Move: 6 Actionable Tips to Get Settled in Your New Apartment

Settle into your apartment

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Moving to a new apartment is both a joyous and stressful moment. Joyous because a new apartment is the result of your hard work and financial efforts. Stressful because there are a handful of things you need to do before settling in. If you need help kick starting your adulting life, here are some tips to keep in mind when moving to a new apartment:

Inspect Your Unit First

Before you move in, it is imperative to inspect your apartment. Check if there are any cracks on the wall and other damages that you need to deal with. Take pictures of everything you see if required. You should also inspect whether the pipes and lights are working correctly. It is also a great time to consider how you would like to lay out your belongings. That way, you can unpack systematically later on. Regardless, inform your property agent of any malfunctions or damages that should be fixed before you move in.

Setup Your Utilities

It is expected that water and electric supply are excluded from your new apartment. That said, you should check with your agent whether the utilities are available. If it is, inquire how you can transfer the account to your name. Otherwise, you can visit the appropriate companies in your area and turn your utilities on. You might also want to contact your Internet service provider to transfer your connection to your new apartment.

Identify Your Payment Options

Moving into your new apartment does not mean that your financial obligations are all settled. Thus, it is imperative to figure out how you will pay for it. Mind you; some young aspiring homeowners make the mistake of grabbing the opportunity because they have enough for the down payment. They forgot to consider that owning a house entails monthly amortization and taxes. Consider your financial sources. If you can pay the amortization using your monthly salary, we suggest that you set up an emergency fund as well. Doing so prevents you from freaking out in case of job loss. Another thing to consider is your payment option. Some property agents prefer that you drop off a physical check, while others are fine with online payment. Pick one that is convenient for you.

An apartment is decorated with plants, books and simple furniture.

Deep Clean Your Unit

Say you have everything fixed and figured out; the next step is to clean your new apartment. Doing so ensures that you can move in your items with ease. Here are some tips for getting it done:

  1. Have a cleaning checklist
  2. Execute your cleaning plan
  3. Paint and remodel
  4. Move-in by order

Following the tips mentioned above will allow you to move and unpack your items without the hassle, which brings us to the next point.

Unpack by Order

Once you’re done remodeling and the painting is dry, now is a great time to move your items. That said, Diane Schmidt has some tips on how you can unpack efficiently:

  • Kitchen. It would be ideal to move-in and unpack your kitchen items first. That way, you can prepare a meal immediately and ensure that you are not hungry while going about your tasks.
  • Bedroom. The next area to focus on would be the bedrooms. That way, you have a place to rest at the end of the day.
  • Bathroom. Next, unpack your toiletries, towels, and other bathroom essentials. Have at least a month’s supply of your necessities, and not forget to find a place for your first aid kit.
  • Living Room. Since the living room usually houses your biggest furniture pieces, it would be best to have a floorplan sketch first. Doing so allows you to lay out furnishing as straightforwardly as possible.

Forward Your Mail

Now that you have unpacked and settled your belongings, the last thing to do is forward your mail. Ideally, you could have done this while moving your items. Otherwise, make sure to settle your mail forwarding within the first week of settling in. This is to ensure that you get to receive your correspondence promptly. Some mail you might want to forward are letters from your bank, credit card and internet bills, and voter’s registration. When available, consider settling your mail forwarding services online.

It’s to Personalize Your New Apartment

As mentioned earlier, moving to a new apartment can be stressful. But it does not have to be when you plan well. Through proper planning, you can figure out how you can fulfill your responsibilities as a new homeowner. It will also allow you to move in and unpack your items without hassle. And by “hassle,” we mean unpacking items on an empty stomach or not knowing where you can lie down to rest. Once everything is settled, you can start personalizing your new apartment. This includes adding decor pieces and laying out your furniture as you see fit. The key here is to get things done as quickly as you can. That way, you can settle into your new apartment soon.

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