A Yakima Valley Moving Guide: 5 Things You Need to Know

Congrats! You are now the proud owner of a new home! Your house contains everything you’ve been dreaming of, like a spacious yard, two-car garage, beautiful kitchen… and so on. Everything is perfect! You can’t wait to move in, right? 

However, before you start buying moving boxes and purchasing moving supplies, there are some things you need to know to ensure your move goes smoothly. We’ve compiled a list of some valuable insights that you can use to prepare for your transition into your new home and eliminate any unexpected surprises.

1. Expect New Expenses

Moving into a new home comes with new and additional expenses. If you’re a first-time homebuyer, paying for utilities might be an added expense. Other maintenance costs include lawn care, insect spraying, and an alarm system. You may also have additional maintenance and supply costs if your new place has a pool or hot tub.

If you’re moving into an older home, some repairs may need to be done before you move in. This could include leaky faucets, broken windows or doors, or other minor fixes the current owner didn’t have time or money to address before selling it. You’ll also want to check out how old the appliances are and how much they cost to replace if they break down before your warranty expires (which can happen within years of buying an appliance).

2. You’ll Need Blinds & Window Treatments

Blinds and window treatments are more than just decor elements. They help with privacy and protect your furnishings from harsh sunlight. Usually, the sellers will leave the blinds or curtains installed in the home, but you may not like the style or color, or they may be damaged, even if they leave them. 

We encourage you to consider these items as part of your budget. Blinds and window treatments can be affordable at any big box store or online retailer. A budget-friendly tip is to prioritize the necessary windows to cover and then chip away at the other windows as your budget allows. 

Another consideration is that the type of window covering you purchase depends on the window type. For example, if your windows are larger than standard size or have unique curves or shapes, hiring someone to custom-make blinds for your home may be more cost-effective than purchasing retail options.

3. Freshen Up Your Space with Paint

Paint is an affordable and easy way to freshen up your home’s style. Although it’s cost-effective, it is time-consuming if you do it yourself. But if you hire a painter to come in and paint everything, it’s an expense you’ll want to budget for. It’s easiest if the painter can get into your home before you move in if you can make this happen within your timeline.

Choose painters who are licensed, bonded, and insured. In addition, choose painters with experience in painting older homes because they can offer advice regarding how best to tackle any unique challenges or issues within each home’s structure, such as old woodwork, molding, textured walls, etc. 

We’ve worked with some great local painters and can give a glowing review of their work!

4. Plan for Future Furnishings

Thinking about your furnishings when moving into a new home is essential. The biggest issue we see with furnishings is that the scale of your current furnishings doesn’t align with the space in your new home. For example, your furniture is too big or small for your space. 

So be sure to allow for an investment in furnishings in your budget. Even if you’re downsizing, you’ll probably need new furnishings for specific rooms. We have seen people go months and months without furniture because they didn’t budget for this–so plan accordingly. 

5. Hire Moving Professionals & Professional Organizers

While hiring movers does come at a cost, their benefits often outweigh the expense for many people. Researching and selecting a reputable moving company that fits your needs and budget is essential. 

One of the benefits of hiring professionals is their efficiency and expertise. They are experienced in handling all aspects of the moving process. From packing effectively to loading, transporting, and unloading your belongings safely, they have the necessary knowledge to get the job done. They also use their expertise to navigate potential challenges, ensuring a smooth and efficient move.

Moving is also time-consuming and physically demanding. By hiring movers, you can save significant time and energy. Professionals will take care of the heavy lifting, allowing you to focus on other important tasks of your move, such as setting up utilities or addressing paperwork. 

Did any of these tips surprise you? Of course, we always want our clients to have a smooth and easy transition into their new home, so we hope these helped!

We’d love to chat if you’re ready to look for your dream home! 

Don’t hesitate to call, text, or email anytime with any questions!

Until next time,

Mal & Joel