Crucial Things to Know When Moving From an Apartment to a House

December 28, 2017 / Posted in Moving Basics
Anastasia Hill

Apart from being the next fashion icon, Anastasia is also a freelance writer and expert on moving (and packing clothes).

According to data research, relocating to a new or a better home is the top reason why Americans move. You read that right; moving from an apartment to a house is a lot more common than vice-versa. However, no one is ever fully prepared for such a big step, and when the day comes, things can get quite hectic. Let’s go over some crucial things you’ll want to keep in mind when making this big transition.

A house in the suburbs
Moving to a new house is the dream of many Americans

Moving From an Apartment to a House Gives You a Lot More Space

 

You have probably always dreamt about that cup of coffee on the porch and a bottle of beer next to your barbecue in the yard. Or maybe a pool in the corner.

There are plenty of benefits that come with moving from a small apartment to a large house, including a backyard, a basement, an attic, and more space overall. You’ll probably have no more storage problems.

An average US home has about 2,500 square feet of space

Be Smart With the Space at Your Disposal

If you are not sure what do you do when moving from an apartment to a house, we recommend that you designate certain areas for specific needs. For example, avoid cramming all your boxes with excess in the garage. You might want to put your old photo frames, toys, and clothes that you may use again someday, like maternity clothes, in the attic or basement storage.

Leave the garage for your tools, car equipment, ski equipment, fishing rods, outdoor toys, bikes, etc. It is never a bad idea to invest in an outdoor shed if gardening is your hobby and you want more things in your yard. Some pesticides and tools are highly poisonous or sharp, and your kids could get hurt unless you keep them under a lock.

A washing machine in a laundry room
You'll have a ton more space for all the extra appliances you want to get

A House Will Require a Lot More Maintenance

When you finally find your dream place, you probably have some kind of idea about what it’s supposed to be once you set it up. Now, there is a process between what is now and what it should be like once it’s complete. If your residence is brand new, then you shouldn’t have any problems with that. However, you should do a quick inspection, or even better, hire an expert to do it for you and contact your contractor if any problems arise.

If possible, the best course of action would be to do all the big renovations before you move in, but that is usually not the case since buying a place is a big investment. The least you should do is to repaint the walls and check the plumbings and insulation and do some repairs if necessary.

Get Reliable Moving and Car Shipping Services Get A Quote

Scheduling Your Cleaning and Maintenance Sessions in Advance

If you have ever cursed because you didn’t have enough space, now you may go in the opposite direction. Having more space has its ups as well as downs. More space means more work, always. We don’t mean just the regular cleaning and maintenance, but the big spring cleaning and regular monthly, bi-annual, and annual checkups and necessary repairs. Here is a list that can help you make sure you remember everything:

  • Monthly – clean the plumbing fixtures, clean the air filters, garbage disposal, and drains
  • Bi-annually – deep cleaning of your entire place, floors, walls, corners, windows, literally everything, check the water filtration system, check smoke filters, deep clean the refrigerator and freezer
  • Annually – inspect the whole plumbing system, clean grouts, clean the chimney, clear the patio and porch area, clean gutters, schedule a termite and pest inspection, check exterior drainage system, inspect the place exterior and the roof, do a yearly service of your heating and cooling systems.

You’ll Also Need a New Insurance Policy

While you probably had a renters insurance policy for the flat, you’ll have to get another one for your place. If you are switching from renter to owner status, congratulations! That means you’re going to have to change your insurance status, too.

A couple carrying a couch
Setting up your new place might take time, but it will be worth it

You’ll Have to Get Some Furniture to Fill out the Space

As we’ve already mentioned, you’ll probably have to add some furniture. However, you do not have to do it all at once. Be mindful of the basic stuff you’ll need in the beginning, and remember that not all the furniture from your previous place will be suitable for your future residence. Here is a shortlist of the basic furniture you’ll need to furnish your home:

  • Living room – a sofa, maybe some armchairs, coffee table, TV stand, and shelves if you have a lot of books and trinkets to put on them.
  • Kitchen – stove and oven, fridge, kitchen cupboards, dish rack, and a microwave oven. The kitchen isle is not a must in the beginning, but it could come in quite handy.
  • Dining room – a table and a set of chairs is a must. A cabinet is a useful plus.
  • Bedroom – a bed and nightstands, wardrobe, and a vanity with a chair.
  • Bathroom – besides the usual sanitary necessities like a sink, a shower cabin or a tub, you’ll have to get some shelves and a mirror.
  • Kids room – beds, wardrobes, desks, chairs, cupboards, and storage bins.
  • Laundry room – washing and drying machine, ironing board, iron, vacuum, broom, dusting pan, mop, and bucket.
  • Storage – shelves and a freezer if you don’t have a combo fridge with one or you prefer having them separately.
  • Garage – you don’t really need anything in the garage, but a few shelves can come as welcome storage for your tools and excess stuff, especially if you don’t have a shed.
  • Yard furniture is not a must, but it might be nice to have a table and a set of chairs at least to relax in your backyard after a long day. Bean-bags are also very convenient and comfy.
  • A shed is a smart investment; you can neatly tuck all your gardening and repair tools in one place and keep them organized. It can also be perfect storage for kiddy pool and other stuff your kids use to play in the yard.

You’ll Get to Adapt the Place to Suit Your Needs

One of the top benefits of moving into a house is that you’ll have much more freedom to adapt a space to suit your needs better. Maybe you don’t want that wall dividing your kitchen and dining room, or maybe you want to turn that basement into a man-cave, games room, or laundry room.

When you own a house, you have options. Barbecue with friends, your own little garden, playground for kids, maybe even a dog in the backyard – you can bring many novelties into your life. Now you can paint your walls any color or pattern you want.

You can position light fixtures the way that it feels the most comfortable for you and rearrange everything the way that suits you best. Of course, that is, if you own the place. If you don’t, try to make less permanent changes. You can paint the walls the way you like it if it is possible to remove that paint when needed.

A nicely decorated living room
A house will bring you a lot more space, but make sure you use it wisely

Book a Moving and Auto Transport Company to Help With the Move

Every relocation has its difficulties, and moving to a house from an apartment is no different. While you might not have as many things to move as if you were to move from a house to an apartment, heavy lifting still doesn’t get any easier. So, if you wish to avoid getting an injury, you might want to consider booking some long-distance moving services.

Professional moving help can significantly ease your relocation. From transportation and car shipping to partial and full packing assistance, cross-country movers like Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving provide a variety of services that make the process more manageable. You’ll have a lot more time to prepare for the move, avoiding a ton of unnecessary relocation stress.

Tips That’ll Help You Pack and Move Efficiently

When the time comes for you to move, on your own or with the help of professional long-distance movers, the last thing you want to end up with in your new place is excess. This is the perfect time to sort through your belongings and get rid of the excess. The cost of interstate moving can be considerable, and you might have to get rid of them anyway in a month or two.

When you decide what not to pack and get down to work, the best way to go about it room by room. That doesn’t mean that you should cram all the different category items from one room into the same box. Carefully sort out fragile items, learn how to move electronics, art, and decorative items, and pack them with special care.

Be sure to label the boxes. You should mention which room they belong to and whether the contents are sensitive, as well as which side of the box goes up. When you reach your new home, get all the boxes to their rooms, and try to unpack the items that you need on a day-to-day basis. If you make an inventory list with the number of the box next to the item, you’ll be able to sort through everything much faster.

A pile of labeled boxes ready for long-distance moving
While you're packing your belongings, make sure to label everything properly

Ensure Your Cross-Country Moving Journey Goes Without a Hitch

As you can see, there are quite a few things to consider before you can make this big step. If you are still not sure what to do before moving into a new house, an experienced long-distance moving company may be able to help you with all the relocation preparations. This is where Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving comes into play.

As a leading moving and car shipping company, we help people relocate anywhere in the country without breaking a sweat. Feel free to contact us and request a free quote. Our team will do everything do ensure your move is nothing but a resounding success!

Get a guaranteed price

      Flat Price Moving & Auto Shipping

      © Copyright 2024 © Flat Price Autotransport. All Rights Reserved.
      Download Moving Checklist
      Get a Free Estimate 888-647-0024