Bought a home? Here's how to plan your move-in

Your offer is accepted, earnest money is in escrow and the home inspection is scheduled. As all of these important steps of buying a home are happening, you also need to plan your move.

Setting your timeline can be complicated but planning ahead and looking for the best time to move will help smooth the process.

"Buyers should align three things: loan timing, their current lease or sale and real life — work, kids and school," said Daniel Ickowicz, CEO and broker at Elite International Realty in Miami, Florida. "A closing date with a bit of breathing room is better than an aggressive one that stresses everyone out."

What to do before moving

From when your offer is accepted to your closing date, there are several steps — such as getting a home inspection and appraisal — that happen. While those details are being figured out, you need to start planning your move. If you are hiring movers, try to book them four to six weeks in advance. Start packing nonessentials when you have time to break up the moving process.

Coordinate with your seller: Your seller is also moving, so they will need time to depart and find a place to live. Some sellers might request a rent-back or lease-back agreement requiring them to pay you to continue living there temporarily to help ease their moving logistics.

"In a lease-back, the buyer is briefly a landlord," Ickowicz said. "They need a clear written agreement on dates, rent, deposit and access. It can be a win-win, but buyers should understand there’s some temporary landlord risk."

You will negotiate any rent-back agreements before offers are accepted. Once you agree on a closing date and move-out date, be sure to have everything in writing, including who is responsible for utilities and maintenance.

Before closing you will want to start coordinating some of the responsibilities you will have with homeowning.

Change mailing address for accounts and set up a forwarding address.
Choose a homeowner's insurance policy and provide proof to the lender.
Schedule utilities to start when you close.
Set up the trash and recycling service.
Research the internet provider and set up service.
Research and schedule security systems, if needed.
Do a final walkthrough to ensure the home is ready.

On closing day, your agent will hand over the keys, paperwork and any other important gadgets like a garage-door opener. Once you have officially closed, you will want your moving trucks to follow that day or in the next few days. "Measure large furniture in advance and change locks early," Ickowicz suggested.

Packing smartly

In the month and weeks leading up to your closing, you will need to pack.

Upsizing: Maybe this is your first home or the largest home you have ever lived in. While you still should go through your belongings, you might not need to donate or sell any large items.

Downsizing: If you are downsizing, it’s imperative that you pare down your belongings and donate or sell furniture you won't need in the new home.

Be sure to measure your new home and all your furniture to make sure it will fit. You will need to limit what you bring and take time to thoughtfully declutter.

What to measure

Doorway height and width
Stairwell width and height
Large furniture, like couches, including width, height and diagonal measurements
Refrigerator space, if moving with one
Washer and dryer space, if moving with them

When packing, start with the items you won't need immediately, like seasonal ones. Label each box clearly with the room and what is inside. "Packing paper, towels and clothing can be used to wrap fragile items instead of bubble wrap," said Christian Pfeiffer, professional organizer at Valley Organizing in Phoenix, Arizona. "Take pictures of cable setups before unplugging electronics, and keep screws or hardware in small, labeled bags."

Pack your essentials for moving separately in a "moving survival kit."

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Moving in

If you are hiring professional movers, request them to come in the morning to pack the truck then move to the new place. Depending on how far you are moving, the process will look different.

"The easiest way to make moving day less stressful is to have everything completely packed beforehand, with every box labeled," Pfeiffer, said.

When you move, you won't be able to get everything unpacked in one day.

"Unpack the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom first," Pfeiffer said. "Once those spaces are set up, you can function comfortably while working through the rest of the house. It helps you settle in faster and reduces stress."

Organizing the move-in process can be messy. Have an area to stack all the boxes until you are able to put the furniture in place. Once the room has its furniture, you can move the boxes into the areas they will be needed.

"There’s a lot that can go into this, but to keep it simple think in zones, not just rooms," Pfeiffer said. "Create categories and set up areas to store things in a way that’s functional. Label everything so it’s easy to maintain long term."

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