First-Time Homeowner Checklist: 6 Steps to a Smooth Start

Buying your first home is an exciting journey, but it’s not without responsibilities, to-dos and challenges. Before you even start packing those boxes, there are some essential steps you need to take to ensure a smooth transition into first-time home ownership. 

This comprehensive guide covers six key tasks first-time homeowners should tackle before, during and after moving day. Crossing these off your list will help minimize stress and prevent potential headaches down the road. And here’s a helpful tip: If you’d like to get a jump on things, our 8-week moving checklist is full of timely advice.  

Whether you’re still house-hunting or have already found your dream home, prepare to dive into the must-dos that will set you up for success as a first-time homeowner. 

Organize Your Finances for the Road Ahead  

Buying your first home is exciting; however, there are a bunch of new financial responsibilities that come with being a new homeowner. Before you start heading off to your new place, it’s essential to get them sorted out. 

First things first, make a detailed moving budget that covers all the potential costs — for things like renting a moving truck, buying boxes and other essential packing supplies, paying movers to help load and unload and traveling to your new place. Don’t forget about hidden extra fees too, such as utility deposits, hook-up charges and possibly needing new furniture and repairs that need to be done right away. 

You’ll also want to start an emergency fund for surprise repairs down the road. Financial advisors recommend saving 1-3% of your new home’s value every year for that rainy day fund. Many first-time home buyers often overlook closing costs, which can be 2-5% of the purchase price.  

Do some research on the cost of living in your new area so you can adjust your budget accordingly and avoid any financial shockers. Setting up automatic bill payments for your new address can help make the transition smoother. Finally, give your bank and credit card companies a heads up about the move to prevent service disruptions or fraud incidents. 

Getting organized with your money before the move will help ensure you’re set up for homeowner success from day one. The more prepared you are, the smoother it’ll go! 

Choose the Best Moving Option for Your Needs 

Trying to handle a move all by yourself can be quite a challenge, especially if you have a lot of stuff or are moving a long distance. This is why you might want to consider hiring a professional moving company like Mayflower to take care of everything for you. It will probably cost you more out of pocket than doing it yourself but will save you the “costs” of all that additional hassle and stress — not to mention potential loss or damage enroute. 

The cost for professional movers depends on several key factors like the amount and weight of belongings you move, how far you’re going and the moving services you need. It’s also more expensive to move with a professional moving company during peak times like summer or around holidays. Most people assume it’s cheaper to do a DIY move, and that’s generally the case in terms of pure dollars and cents. However, hiring movers means you get their expertise and equipment, which can make the whole process a lot smoother. You’ll also be less apt to overspend on supplies and materials, and the peace of mind you’ll enjoy is priceless. 

This decision doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing thing. With a company like Mayflower, you can pick and choose the services you need to fit your budget. Whatever you ultimately decide, it doesn’t hurt to get a no-obligation move quote so you can weigh your options properly. The choice is yours, but having some professional help could make your life a whole lot easier when moving day rolls around. 

Professional Movers vs. DIY Moving: Definitions, Pros and Cons

Master Your Moving Day Preparation

Even if your move-in date is several months out, it’s never too early to start prepping. First things first, lock in your exact move day, especially if you’re hiring Mayflower or another professional mover to do the heavy lifting.  

The fewer items you have to move, the smoother your move will ultimately be. Check out these helpful tips for paring down your possessions. 

Packing is probably going to be the most time-intensive step in your entire moving process. If you’re doing it yourself, just remember it takes more than just boxes to get your move on. You’ll also need packing tape, labels and markers to seal up your boxes and mark what rooms they’re for.  

The other key part is cushioning your fragile items. Make sure you have plenty of paper towels, bubble wrap or plastic sheets, and blankets or towels for padding. Flat screens and TVs travel best in their original boxes too. Pro tip: Keep a detailed inventory list somewhere safe. Check out this article on our website for a comprehensive list of what you’ll need to pack successfully. 

If all that packing seems like a nightmare, no sweat. Mayflower offers full or partial packing services. We’ll handle that grunt work for you, no problem. 

Stock Up on Home Essentials

Getting your first home is super exciting — and one of the coolest parts is decorating and filling it with all your favorite stuff. It’s a blank slate to make your own.  

You’ll obviously need cleaning supplies and other basics to give yourself a pristine “foundation.” But the fun part is picking out new furniture, electronics for gaming or watching movies, art for the walls, and little decorative touches that show off your style.  

Don’t forget the kitchen! Stocking up on dishes, pots and pans, towels, storage containers and silverware will make it feel homey. And this is prime time to upgrade to new major appliances like a fridge or dishwasher if you need them. 

The bedrooms and bathrooms are other areas where you can get creative. You may want to leave any old mattresses behind and start fresh with new ones, along with bedding, furniture, and window treatments. The bathrooms will look sharp with new towels, mats, shower curtains and accessories that all coordinate nicely. 

Just take it one step at a time and stay within your budget. You don’t have to do the whole house at once. Spread out the fun of personalizing your new place over time until it feels like your own unique home. 

The Ultimate Move-In Necessities Checklist

Execute a Stress-Free Moving Day

Whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring professionals, moving means handling a lot of details, often simultaneously. If you’re about to move into your first “real” home, there are a bunch of important things you’ll need to take care of before and on moving day to make sure everything goes smoothly. 

Before the Big Day

• First off, you’ll want to confirm all the logistics with your moving company or anyone helping — details like timing, addresses and what they’ll be taking care of. If you’re renting a truck, give it a thorough inspection beforehand. And don’t forget to check the weather forecast so you can plan accordingly. 
• You’ll also need to make arrangements for any kids, pets or others who won’t be pitching in. You may want to hire a sitter for the day or send your kids to stay with a nearby relative. And it’s always nice to have snacks and drinks on hand for your crew of helpers. 
• With so much going on, losing the keys to your new place is a distinct possibility. Stash them somewhere safe but accessible.  
• Protect your floors from scratches and scuffs. Do a final walkthrough, turning off lights and locking up. And get detailed directions to your new home — you may even need to plan for an overnight stay depending on the distance.  
• It’s a good idea to pack a “first night box” with the essentials you’ll need to get through your first couple of days. 

If you hired professional movers, there are some extra things to keep in mind. Give them a heads up about any property quirks or concerns you have. Set aside items you’ll be transporting yourself and let the movers know not to pack those. Be ready to direct them to where things should go and how to handle fragile items. And of course, read all that paperwork carefully before signing. 

With a little preparation and organization, you can take a lot of the stress out of moving day. Just stay on top of the details and you’ll be settling into your new place in no time! 

After Moving Day  

As a proud first-time homeowner, you’ll want to ensure your new home is ready as quickly as possible. Unpack the first night box and prioritize setting up the kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms so you can settle in comfortably. Before the unpacking process starts, make sure you have these items handy:  

• Scissors   
• Markers   
• Trash bags  
• A box cutter  
• Boxes for debris   

Pro Tips: Put the first four items together in a separate box so they’ll be easy to find right away. It’s also wise to have a tool kit on hand for any minor repairs or adjustments you might need to make as you settle in. And if things get a bit messy, keep in mind that Mayflower offers unpacking, debris removal and other helpful post-move services.   

Home Safety Check: Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, change the locks and ensure any home security systems are functioning properly.  

Settle into Your New Home  

Once you’ve settled into your new place, it’s time to focus on the long-term upkeep and potential upgrades. There are a few key things new homeowners often overlook that you’ll want to stay on top of: 

• First up, homeowners insurance — this covers your belongings and property from day one, so don’t sleep on getting that set up right away.  
• You’ll also want to create a maintenance schedule for things like plumbing, landscaping, seasonal chores like gutter cleaning, and routine HVAC tune-ups to keep everything running smoothly. 
• If you’re planning any renovations soon, start mapping out a realistic timeline and budget for those projects.  
• And while you’re at it, consider investing in some smart home tech to boost security and energy efficiency —- little touches like that can really make the place feel like your own. 

In summary, once the moving truck pulls away, your work is just beginning! But stick to those homeowner basics and you’ll soon be sitting pretty in your new abode. 

First Time Moving to a House? Let Mayflower® Get You There 

With nearly a century of moving people across the country, Mayflower has helped more than 1.2 million families move in the past 10 years. Count on us for expert full-service moving packages, packing and unpacking services, and other moving solutions.   

We also hope you’ll check out the useful content we have available on subjects like packing your belongings and settling into your new neighborhood as well as our guides to states, cities and more. And our digital magazine, Welcome HOME, is a must-read for any savvy mover!   

Ready to get moving? Get a no-obligation quote from Mayflower.