Congratulations! You bought a house, let's celebrate. Crack open the bottle of champagne. Let's enjoy the moment as tomorrow we have to start planning.

What an exciting time for you, you've just bought a new home. It could be your first home, it could be your eighth home, it doesn't matter it's exciting. All this excitement is matched with a list of to-dos. It can certainly be overwhelming but we can make it a bit easier. Let's go over some of the must-dos before opening the door to your new home.

Before Possession

It might be that you have to start packing as soon as you find out your offer was chosen, or you might have several weeks. Take a moment to understand your timeline and plan accordingly. No sense in living in a house full of boxes for weeks when you don't have to. 

Insurance - this is often overlooked. But it should sit on the top of your to-do list, it's right up there with trying to track down moving boxes. Give your insurance broker enough time to shop for the best product for your needs. 

Packing - this is the first thing people think of when moving. An endless sea of boxes. Maybe a couple of boxes that fit in the back of your car, maybe a couple of moving trucks moving across the country. It can be a lot of work. LABEL YOUR BOXES. It's in caps for a reason, its importance can't be over-emphasized, don't forget to label the room the box belongs. Another great tip is don't load a big box up with books, they get heavy. Ask me how I know.

Lawyer - you should have a lawyer lined up (psst a REALTOR® can you help you with this). A couple of days before possession you and your lawyer will sit down and go over a heap of paperwork. At this point, your downpayment will go into the lawyer's trust account. 

Day of Possession

That day has arrived, you can now enter your new home. Resist the urge to go in prior to the agreed-upon possession date and time. This is a busy day but it is rewarding. Remember to drink lots of water and be sure to eat from time to time. 

Check your meters/appliances - Before any boxes are brought into your house take a deep breath and take it all in. You're about to turn a house into a home. Even before you bring in the first box walk through the house, check that all the appliances work, and is everything as you remember it? Now go record your meters. Water, Gas, and Electric. These are going to have to be called into your utility provider.

Essentials - below is a PDF with a checklist of all the things you should pack separately and have ready. You don't want to be in a situation where you're going through all the boxes trying to find something as mundane as a cell phone charger. Even with proper labeling, it can be hard to find the right box.

Cleaning - your house will probably never be this empty ever again. Take this opportunity to deep clean your house. Get in cabinets, get in all the corners, and clean your baseboards. If it has a surface clean it.

Feed your Friends - this is from personal experience. If you've recruited your friends to help you move be sure they are hydrated and fed. Beer and Pizza go a very long way with a group of friends after moving what is most likely the world's heaviest couch.

Move stuff in - if you're able, start moving the big stuff in first. And don't put it in the middle of a room, try to put it where it's going to go. It's much easier to move after than it is to move around furniture. With all the big pieces in time to bring in the boxes. Put them right into the room they're going.

Start Unpacking - most likely there are going to be a heard of people helping you, especially if you entice them with beer and pizza. If you're lucky enough to have a gaggle of friends helping you, and since you've already cleaned cabinets and such, kitchen essentials can go straight into their new home.

After possession

The proverbial dust has settled, you've moved in. Now it's time to be a responsible home-owner. Take care of your home, and make it what you want it to be. 

Declutter - look around are there boxes you haven't unpacked yet? Are you getting along with your normal routine without the contents of that box? Take a hard look, do you need everything in that box?

And there you go a brief list to give you some guidance while you move, by no means is this a comprehensive list, it is simply here to give some direction. If you have any questions reach out, I'd love to help you out!

Download Moving Checklist