Moving into a new home is one of the most exciting experiences for many Filipinos. A different environment signifies the beginning of a brand new life. And when it’s time to transfer to a new place, our superstitions kick into high gear.
Like other cultures, we follow some traditions when we move into our latest home. One of the most popular practices is the bringing of rice and salt inside the house before anything else. According to the elders, this will bring prosperity to the family.
But as a smart homeowner, you should also look into the more practical things you need to accomplish before moving in.
Here are the things you need to do.
1. Secure your home
Once you’ve gotten the keys to your property, change the locks or add another one that is not pre-installed. This is for your own peace of mind, particularly if you’ve purchased a pre-owned home. After all, you’ll never know who else has copies of the keys aside from the previous owners, property management, etc.
If you’re a handy person, you can work on it yourself. But if not, better call a professional locksmith to assist you. Be sure you or someone you trust is there to oversee it. Furthermore, you can add deadbolts or install home security systems for your family’s safety.
2. Clean up
While many people would clean up the entire house before they leave, some won’t. They will leave those dust bunnies in an unnoticeable corner or even underneath the stairs. Since we take pride in our homes and are very particular with presenting a neat place for guests, it’s a good thing to make sure every nook and cranny is spotless.
If you have a budget to spare and are pressed for time, you can hire a cleaning service to do this. But if you want to do it yourself, make sure you have complete cleaning materials and supplies you need: bleaches, sanitizers, gloves, scrub pads, etc. Let’s not forget the usual Filipino home items including tabo, timba, and walis.
3. Liven up the walls
Some would say that it’s better to paint while the rooms are still empty, while others prefer to do it when all the things are inside the house so they’ll know if the colors will go well with the furniture or not. Well, you can choose to do either way. Identify which is more comfortable for you.
Keep in mind that you want your space to reflect your style and personality. Have fun with it.
Tip:Use neutral colors when you’re painting a blank space. You can add accents later on to complement the design and furniture.
4. Add portable closets and organizers (hanging poles, removable shelves, and other storage solutions)
Before you take out all your things, ready the extra portable cabinets or hanging poles you’ve bought in advance. It will help you neatly store those home displays, diplomas, trophies, and family portraits that you treasure.
5. Inspect your belongings, unpack, and organize
Once you get all your stuff out of the moving truck, double check your inventory before it leaves. This is important to ensure that all your favorite stuff is with you. And in case you’ve forgotten something, the movers can pick up what you’ve left in your previous home.
As you unpack, it’s best that you also start organizing. Place each box in the particular room where it’s supposed to go. This is the reason labeling the boxes is helpful. You won’t need to scramble looking for your bedsheets and blankets if you clearly marked the box for the bedroom.
Focus on one area of the house first, preferably where the entire family will typically stay such as the living room.
6. Bring out your first night essentials
Come moving day, make sure your first night essentials are with you. This should come together with your important documents and valuable items such as jewelries and gadgets.
Your first night pack should include:
- An emergency kit
- Spare clothes
- Toiletries
- Medications, if needed
- Dining supplies (food, plates, and utensils)
- Pet essentials, if you have your furry friends with you
7. Identify emergency exits
Make sure every member of the family knows how to get out of the house in case of a crisis. While you’re at it, provide an escape plan when the need arises. Check out some tips on how to prepare your family and home during an emergency such as typhoon.
8. Know the location of your fuse box
The fuse box contains the main electric switch and circuit breakers. It is located in a prominent part of the house that is easily accessible. This panel typically looks like a gray metal box, unless you’ll creatively hide it from sight.
It is necessary for family members to know where it is found in case the electricity needs to be turned off during an emergency.
Switching off the main power is essential especially when you’re going away for a vacation. You don’t want unnecessary expenses or accidents because you’ve left the electricity running.
9. Find out where the water shutoff valve is
Like the fuse box, knowing where the water valve shutoffs are located is indispensable. If you get a leak in your pipes, you can switch off the water without delay. This will help you save thousands in water damage repair. In addition, you can’t fix your plumbing without turning off the water.
10. Memorize your address
Verify with your real estate broker or whoever is in-charge your complete address. Make sure you’ve got the correct house number, spelling of the street, zip codes, etc. This is vital when you’re going to update your personal file (to be discussed in number seven).
If you’re not good at memorizing, write down the address on a piece of paper and keep it where you can easily pull it out.
11. Update your personal information (license, utilities, government IDs, etc.)
One of the imperative things you need to do when moving into your new home is to have your residential address changed. Update your personal information (bank account, government IDs, subscriptions, etc.) so that any mails or packages will be directed to your new home.
To lessen the hassle of going places, check if you can do this online for some of the institutions or government agencies.
Enjoy your new home
Lastly, show your hospitality to your new neighbors. Meet and greet them. Don’t forget to bring some homemade cookies or cupcakes for them to enjoy. It’s a nice way of getting good vibes from your new environment.
After you’ve accomplished all of these, put your feet up and relax. It’s now time to enjoy your new home. Cheers!
How was your experience moving into your new home? Share with us your thoughts in the comment section below.
