Moving into a new home can be exciting, but it also can be stressful in many ways. In addition to the stress associated with physically relocating all of your belongings into a new home, your life may be affected in various other ways by your move. In fact, it may take several weeks or longer to fully get accustomed to life in your new home. These are some of the more significant details of your life that may change when you move, and by learning about them, you may be able to prepare for them ahead of time.
The Cost of Home Insurance
Home insurance is typically required by your lender, and it offers numerous benefits. For example, it may pay to repair or replace your home if it is damaged by severe weather. Home insurance rates vary based on the size and location of your home as well as several other factors. Many homeowners pay approximately $1,000 or more per year on home insurance. While this premium is typically paid in monthly installments, it nonetheless can take time to get accustomed to this extra expense in your budget. Consider looking at companies that will provide a bundle that may include car insurance and other coverage. Getting cheap insurance quotes before you move is a great way to save money on this expense.
The Length of Your Commute
The average commute time workers must deal with varies substantially based on where you live, but most workers commute at least 20 to 30 minutes each way, and some have a commute length that exceeds one hour each way. A smart idea is to travel along your new commute path to your workplace before you move. This will help you to avoid being unpleasantly surprised by a much longer commute length than you planned for.
The Cost of Your Utilities
Utilities expenses can increase when you move into a new home, and you should prepare for this possibility in your budget. Keep in mind that the size of the home is not the only factor that affects utilities costs. New utilities rates for a specific location, how energy efficient the home is and more will also affect your utilities expenses. You can usually obtain historical utilities costs for a specific property from the provider to get a better idea about what your own utilities costs will be.
Repairs and Maintenance Needs for the Property
If you are purchasing a new home, you will assume the condition of the property from the previous owner. Reviewing the property inspection is a great way to learn more about repairs and maintenance tasks that need to be addressed. Some items may require your urgent attention as soon as you move in, and others may be placed on your to-do list to complete within the next few months. You should, however, budget for these expenses as soon as possible.
The Need for Additional Storage Space
When you move into a new home, your storage needs can change dramatically. First, you may have less storage space in closets and attics, and you may need to find an additional area to store some of your belongings. In addition, the size, number and layout of your rooms may change. This means that you may not have a space for all of your furnishings. You could choose to get rid of some unnecessary items by selling or donating them. However, others prefer to hang onto their items. You could consider renting a storage unit to tackle your current storage issue.
As you can see, many of your current life factors can change when you move into a new home. These various factors can affect your budget, your daily routine and your general home life experience. If you are preparing to relocate to a new home, it is important that you review some of these various factors up-front so that you can properly prepare for them. By doing so, you can more easily transition into life in your new home.
David Glenn is a home improvement expert. He occasionally freelance writes about home maintenance and DIY home repair. He’s also knowledgeable about topics like how to improve social presence and building a reputation online.
