Forbes reports that according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) associate vice president for forecasting and analysis Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington, construction of new single-family homes can surpass one million in 2021. The forecast of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) is an estimated 1.134 million new single-family homes in 2021, 1.165 million in 2022, and 1.210 million in 2023. MBA associate vice president for economic and industry forecasting Joel Kan stated that there could be more affordable entry-level homes constructed in 2021.
According to the joint report of the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, there were 1.021 million new single-family houses sold as of March 2021. This is 20.7 percent more than the 846,000 sold as of February and 66.8 percent more than the estimated 612,000 sold as of March 2020.
This means there are many families now moving into their newly bought homes and a lot more to come. Here are a few reminders and tips on settling into a new house and neighborhood.
Before Moving In
Do not move into your new house without a thorough inspection. During the sale process, you must have had an expert do a house inspection. Afterward, you still need your expert inspector to check on any repairs the seller agreed to do.
Make sure that the utilities are professionally installed, connected, and maintained. A reliable plumbing company must check the plumbing. Experts must check the gas, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment, as well. Have a professional electrician check all electricals. Ask the experts to show you the fuse box, water valve, and all the important points you need to check when you are on your own. Contact the waste management facility to include your house in the garbage pick-up.
Set up your telephone and Internet connection. This is especially important if you are working from home and have children who are studying from home. Install all necessary lighting; you will not want to move into a dark house.
If you have children and pets and you need special gates for the top and bottom of the stairs and other areas, have these installed ahead. You want them to be in place when you bring the kids and pets in. Do the same if you want to replace carpets or flooring.
Ask your neighbors for referrals for the various service providers and double-check qualifications and certifications. This is a good time to find service providers that you will be working with long-term.
Install new locks throughout the house, and be especially careful with doors leading outside. If you are installing a home security system, do it now. You want the house to be completely secure before you move in.
Clean and disinfect the house thoroughly. You may also hire a professional cleaning service to do this.
Make a grid of every room in the house, with measurements of dimensions and the location of doors and windows, and use this to plan the placement of furniture. It will also help you decide on what to bring or buy.
The Move
Ask your friends and family for referrals on moving companies and compare rates and services. See that the movers help you pack large pieces of furniture and unpack these at your destination.
Pack boxes based on where you want the contents to be in your new house and label the boxes accordingly. Have a code so that you have an idea about what the contents of each box are. This will help a lot when you are deciding which box to open first.
Pack a box or two with the essentials you will need in your first 24 hours, like cooking and dining utensils, beddings, towels, and toiletries. It will be convenient to have these on hand immediately instead of looking through many boxes to find them.
Hand-carry all your valuable jewelry and private documents and always have them with you. You will not want to misplace them.
Unpacking and Setting Up
You cannot finish unpacking everything in one day. It is best to schedule leave for a few days to tackle all the tasks of moving in. Start your unpacking with the things you most need in your day-to-day life. Install curtains or blinds immediately on all windows, including bedrooms, to ensure privacy.
Clean as you go. Discard boxes and packaging materials as soon as each box is empty. This will make you see your progress better and will make you feel good.
Connect with Your New Neighbors
It should not surprise you if your neighbors drop in to say hello. Do not treat it like a bother. If they do not do so, perhaps give you time to settle down and say hello once you are all sorted out. Be nice to them because this is the start of a long-term relationship.
Ask your neighbors for information on the nearest hospital, the nearest veterinary clinic if you have a pet, nearby supermarkets and markets, and other information that locals know.
Enjoy Your New Home
Moving into a new home is exciting, but it is also hard work. By planning everything far in advance, you can make things easier. Before you know it, you will be settled like a local.
Meta title: Establishing Residence in Another Locality
meta desc: Transferring to a different locale to live in your newly bought property is exciting, but you must not forget to check the services you will need in the area.
