Moving into a new home is an intense experience and one that few people will describe as fun, overall. There are a few things you can do to make the experience easier and less stressful, and that includes a few tips on what to do before moving in. When you relocate to a new home, there’s lots you have to do: planning, packing, cleaning, moving.

There are plenty of challenges to face here, from ones as small as which cabinets to store your kitchenware into the big decisions of major projects. When moving into your new home, these are some things to consider that might make the transition easier from the get-go.

1. Check Your Locks and Keys

Before relocating, you’ll never actually know how many keys are floating around and giving strangers access to your new home unless you decide to install brand new locks or rekey the existing locks. If your house is previously owned, anyone from neighbors, workmen, relatives, cleaning services, or others may have copies of the previous keys. This is a good project to do before you move in and will give you peace of mind in the long run.

2. Redo the Flooring

If you’re moving into a brand new house, you probably don’t need to do anything with the flooring. In which case, lucky you! However, if you’ve bought a home that has carpet you despise, or you’re looking at a fixer-upper, you may need to tackle the job. Do you get to it after you’ve moved in, or right now?

It’s fair to decide that flooring may be too much to handle at the moment, that it belongs as a project down the road. It may not be in your immediate budget, but make sure you consider the cost of BOTH the time and hassle if you push it off. Replacing carpets is a huge project, and if you can spare the time or money prior to moving, you’ll be doing yourself a monumental favor. Consider how much easier it will be to tackle any flooring project before you have all your furniture in place.

3. Painting

It’s much easier to paint an empty room than to have to deal with moving furniture around and covering everything, regardless if you tackle the project yourself or hire someone else to do it. If you do decide to paint rooms prior to moving in, allow several days to repaint before your movers show up or before you decide to move in the rest of the furniture, especially if you’re tackling this project yourself. This sort of work often takes much longer than you think, and you don’t want to rush a paint job and have it look less than stellar. 

If you hire a professional crew or have friends come help you, the project can be tackled faster, and painting can even be considered a time-saver. Try and match your walls to your furniture, and remember that painting does include priming, trim, and base coats. This is a project that you will thank yourself for in the future if you handle it now.

4. Install or Redo the Molding

We all love the clean, fresh, respectable look of nice crown molding in a room. It’s a luxury, and the ability to install molding within the entire house before you move in will be an activity you thank yourself for later. If you’ve already primed and pre-painted the molding strips, you can do this after you repaint the interior walls of the home. This is another project that can be more complex than you initially imagine and will be much easier in a home that hasn’t been fully moved into yet.

5. Consider New Closets

Most people may not spend much time considering the closet systems of their new home, but having things properly organized and fitted will make you feel great. There are many closet systems out there that include double hanging poles, fitted drawers, and shelves that reach the ceiling. This is another project you don’t want to put off until later because you’ll have to take everything out and possibly live in suitcases while you redo your closets or install new ones. Professional closet installers can handle this quickly, as this may be more of a complex do-it-yourself project.

6. Any Electrical Upgrades

If your home is new, you probably have all the electrical outlets you need, as modern homes are more apprised of this necessity. Older homes can be more of a challenge with this and may require additional upgrades that are much easier done in empty rooms. Electricians are paid handsomely by the hour and can work much faster if they have easy access to all rooms and outlets. You can also use this time to install new ceiling fans, wall switches, and more. Consider lighting up your hallways with new lighting tracks or having lights installed in your closets. Electrical outlets are a luxury that not enough people consider, and the more you have the better your quality of life will be.

7. Check The Garage

Have you truly looked through your new garage? This is a big aspect of relocation, and now is the time to consider whether or not your garage will actually serve as a place to park your car or if it will become a storage space for garden tools and smaller vehicles. Once you move in, it’s virtually impossible to stop your garage from filling with stuff. So, if you want to take the time now to install new shelves, storage spaces, a workbench, and more, it’s much easier before your garage is stacked and inaccessible. Also, installing anything new or setting up space beforehand might limit your garage from just becoming a storage dump. Consider paying for some exterior or temporary storage elsewhere so that you can devote your new garage to some more useful activities. 

Regardless of what you decide to do with your new home prior to relocating, make sure you take the time to get things done long before you start piling in furniture! It can also be a good idea to scope out the neighborhood and city before you move in, even if you think you know it. Before relocating, consider checking out some new restaurants, setting up new dentist appointments for the kids, or checking out the school (even if it’s still summer).

Author Bio:

Alison Brown

Alison Brown is the Marketing Strategist at Children’s Dental Fun Zone. She has been inclined towards oral care since her childhood as she comes from a family of dental background. She loves spending time with kids and contributes her insights by writing and promoting informative blogs for families to help them adapt to their new homes and localities without any hurdles.

Buying a home can be very overwhelming. You’re feeling excited, nervous, and so many other emotions that can make it difficult to know if you’re choosing the best home for yourself and your family. You’ve toured several homes and narrowed it down to the one you love, but before you make that offer you want to make sure you’re making an informed choice, after all, knowledge is power, and power equals confidence! So here are 7 questions to ask your Realtor before making that offer.

1: Is the price fair?
This question may seem obvious but it’s important to remember that your realtor has unique knowledge about homes and their value in the current market that will help you make a better offer or avoid making a bad offer. It’s always wise to ask your agent if you’ll be getting a fair deal at the listed price because the sellers may have decided to list higher than normal. Besides, how can you make sure you’re getting a great deal if you don’t ask?

2: What are the comparable properties in the area going for?
Your agent can certainly give you their own insight on the fairness of the listed price for the home you’re considering, but it’s worth it to go the extra mile and see how similar properties in the same area are selling. This will back up your agent’s insights and help you get a better idea of what you should pay for the home you want. As they say, the proof is in the pudding or, in this case, the comps! Your agent can search for comparable homes sold by using the Multiple Listing Service and provide you with a full report.

3: How long has this home been on the market?
If you’ve fallen for a home just outside your budget or if you’re looking to get a better deal, you might be thinking about making an offer a little lower than asking price. To judge how receptive the seller might be to a lower offer, you’ll want to consider how long the home has been on the market. A seller whose home has just hit the market will be less likely to depart from their asking price and will instead wait for better offers to come in. On the contrary, a seller whose home has been on the market longer than usual may be eager to sell, even if it’s at a lower price. Ask your agent how long the home has been on the market and if it will be reasonable to make a lower offer.

4: Are there any other offers?
Asking your agent if there are other offers on the home you’re considering can provide you with a couple of pieces of information. First, like asking how long the home has been on the market, it will give you an idea of how eager the seller will be to make a deal. Second, it will mentally prepare you for the “competition” to buy the home. If several other offers have been made, you’ll either need to make a very competitive offer, or you’ll have to prepare yourself for the possibility that someone else’s offer may be selected over yours. In any case, it’s always good to be prepared for the possibility that the home your considering may not be the home you buy – but don’t worry, your dream home is still out there!

5: What are the advantages of this home?
Your agent has seen many, many homes and will have their own unique perspective about the home you are considering. Ask them what they like about the home. Maybe they’ll highlight the open floor plan or the potential for remodeling in the future. They might appreciate the unique layout or a convenient location in the neighborhood. They’ll also be able to tell you the advantages of the home that many other homes they’ve seen are lacking. Whatever it is, your agent will be able to highlight the benefits of the home that you might not have considered that will influence your decision to make an offer.

6: What are the disadvantages of this home?
On the flip side of the previous question, you can also ask your agent to provide their perspective on the downsides of the property. Maybe the property is located on a large plot of land that will be hard to maintain, maybe it’s on a typically noisy street, or maybe it’s an older home that will require a lot of maintenance. Your agent’s experience working with other buyers and their knowledge of the area market will help them point out any disadvantages of purchasing the home you are interested in.

7: What will it take to buy this home?
The escrow process can happen very quickly, so before you make an offer it’s helpful to know the processes that will follow so that you don’t feel overwhelmed once it starts. Ask your agent to walk you through the next steps so you’ll be prepared to follow your offer all the way from acceptance to close of escrow.

Now you’re a little more prepared for what’s to come on your home-buying journey. It’s time to get yourself a great agent (cough, cough) and get on out there to find your dream home!
Thanks to our agents who collaborated on this post

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Michelle Reifel (RE/MAX Advantage) – 909-557-0235 DRE#01747616
Al Talavera (RE/MAX Lakeside) – 909-228-6668 DRE#01476263
Vicki Wickersham (RE/MAX Lakeside) – 909-754-9881 DRE#01219295
Tanya Uribes (RE/MAX Advantage) – 909-477-0269 DRE#01903057
Carol Garden – RE/MAX Lakeside) – 909-496-5122 DRE#01027919

There can be little doubt that buying or selling a home is one of the most important decisions of your life. It’s a complicated process that can easily become stressful, confusing, and even heartbreaking. To avoid a negative experience, it’s important to go into this transaction informed and supported. In this respect and others, a real estate agent is an irreplaceable resource and team member. The right agent can save you time, money, and energy, whereas the wrong agent can cost you that and more. We’ve laid out 8 advantages of a great real estate agent to help empower you to make the best choice when it’s time to buy or sell.

1. We’re “In the Know”

There’s a lot to know before you buy or sell a home. Where should you search? How much can you afford? How does the home buying/selling process even work? A great agent can answer all of these questions and more. It can be overwhelming to go it alone, whether you’re a first timer or if you’ve bought and sold many times before. Our education and experience equips us to guide you through what can often be a complicated and stressful process. We know the process inside and out, we know the market, the neighborhoods, and how to handle the different needs that come along with each situation. As your ally, we can help you sort through the endless possibilities and do the heavy lifting for you so you can focus on your wants and needs.

2. We Empower You

While it’s helpful to team up with someone who knows the process, great agents go the extra mile to educate you along the way. We won’t make you blindly trust us, we’ll tell you exactly what to expect ahead of time. We’ll explain the best real estate practices so you know not only what is happening, but also why. We’ll give you all the information you need so you’ll feel empowered to speak up, ask questions, and make confident decisions. With our help, you’ll walk away not only understanding the process, but also knowing you made the right choices along the way.

3. We’re Not Just Realtors…We’re Marketers!

Even with the most magnificent properties, houses don’t sell themselves. If you’re selling, you’ll need to make sure your property is getting enough exposure to end up in front of the right buyer and you shouldn’t have to worry about finding a buyer yourself. A great agent knows how to get your property noticed. From great photos to creative online, print, and social marketing, we make sure your property gets the visibility it needs. So you can sit back, relax, and let the buyers come to you! On the flip side, if you’re buying, we can help you navigate these different channels and provide you with a wide selection of homes to choose from.

4. We’re Recognized

RE/MAX is the most recognized brand in real estate. What does that mean for you? As a seller, it means that more buyers will notice and trust your RE/MAX advertisements, yard sign, or open house but our brand’s visibility isn’t limited to yard signs and local postings. RE/MAX advertises nationally and globally, utilizing television and a strong online presence. In fact, RE/MAX boasts the #1 real estate company affiliated website at remax.com. That means more buyers will be looking at your home online than on any other real estate company’s website. RE/MAX also employs some of the most educated agents in the industry. This means that you can trust the agent behind the brand.

5. We’ll Be The “Middle Man”

If you’re working with us that means you’re serious about buying or selling and it’s our job to make sure nothing gets in the way of you and what you want. If you’re selling, we’ll be the filter between you and the potential buyers. We’ll make sure that valuable time and energy is only spent with serious buyers who are ready to make an offer. If you’re buying, we’ll use our property and area knowledge to protect you from potential homes that are overpriced, over-fluffed, or simply lacking features you want or need. You shouldn’t have to be on the lookout for lookie-loos our bad deals, we’ve got your back!

6. We’ve Got Connections

A great realtor doesn’t just help you buy your dream home or sell for the best price, we’ll also give you recommendations for escrow, loans, insurance, inspection companies and more. No matter who you work with, you should be confident that you’re in good hands; so if you’ve found a great Realtor that you can trust, you should also be able to trust their recommendations. Our connections go far beyond the transactional side. Since buying or selling is more than just showings and paperwork, often times you’ll need repairs, updates, or local resources. We’ll make sure to refer you to the best contractors, painters, or other services to help you during the process and even long after.

7. We Get Results

There’s so many qualities to look for in a great real estate agent – knowledgeable, hardworking, determined, empathetic – but it all comes down to getting the job done. You’ll want to make sure your realtor has what it takes to sell your property or land you your dream home. Our brokerage and agents are highly rated by past clients and come with strong recommendations. With data and reviews on our side, you can trust that when you work with us, you’ll have great results!

8. We’re In it for YOU!

When you work with a great Realtor, your happiness comes first. It’s our primary goal to help you buy the best home or sell at the best price possible. If we can’t accomplish that, there’s nothing in it for us. There’s no commission due to us if we don’t close your deal, so we’ll work hard until we can meet your needs! That doesn’t stop once the deal’s closed either. We’re not just looking for a one time transaction with you, we want a long time relationship that will allow us to be there for all your future real estate needs. We promise no only to help you get what you want, but also to help you flourish along the way.

A great Realtor commits to creating the best experience possible for their clients by blazing the trail for them, educating them, and fighting for them. When you choose a great realtor you get an ally for life and that’s the RE/MAX “Advantage”!