It is almost time to move into your new home in Dallas-Fort Worth and you’re probably excited if not a bit overwhelmed. At Riverside Homebuilders, we strive to make your move as easy as possible with homebuyer resources like Our DFW Relocation Guide, Financing Guide and a partnership with Open Door to help you sell your home. Our team has also compiled this quick list of tips to help set you up for moving day:

Set a timeline for yourself.

Work backward from your moving date and set realistic goals for yourself to make progress in the weeks or months leading up to it. Start by packing the things you won’t immediately need like off season clothing. Then, think about decor that needs a little extra attention to keep them safe in transit. 

Moving is also a great excuse to get critical about your belongings. Consider keeping a bag close by while you pack to designate for donations. That could be clothing, books, toys and anything else you have been meaning to clean out and really don’t need to hang on to through the move. 

Spot clean your old home before you leave.

The moving process can involve a lot of dirty shoes storming in and out of the house, so you’ll want to touch up after you empty the house. Professional movers often put down carpet protectors along the high traffic areas, so consider doing that if you’re handling the move yourself. Bonus: take those carpet protectors (or just tarps) to your new home for protecting your new carpet or hardwoods from the small stampede that will happen when you unload. 

Double-check your old home.

And then check again. Before you start making trips to the new house, run a clean sweep of your old home to make sure you haven’t forgotten to pack anything in a drawer, in a closet, or under a table. You’ll likely need to pack the table too. After you and your movers clear out the house, and you think you’re about ready to leave, it’s best to check everything one last time. That is the easiest way to make sure no one’s favorite stuffed animal or any phone chargers are left behind. 

What to unpack first?

There’s a good chance that after a long day of moving, you won’t have the time or energy to unpack everything. Do yourself a favor and make that first night easy. Figure out beforehand what you need for your first night and day in your new home, and pack it in an “essentials box.” That box will be your go-bag for your first night so you can get to bed early. 

Think about what you need to be comfortable on any given night and pack that. Set aside your phone charger, toothbrush, other toiletries, and a pair of pajamas. Make sure you know where your bedsheets are. If you bought champagne to celebrate, make sure you know where that is too (and something to open it with). With your essentials packed together, you’ll be set for your first night. The rest of those boxes can wait until morning.

Other little things to remember

Here are a few items that will come in handy during your first few weeks in your new home as you unpack. 

• Fire extinguisher. Hopefully you won’t have to use it but be prepared from the start!
• Clothes hangers. It’s good to know where these are before you tackle unpacking your wardrobe.
• Cleaning supplies. Your new home will be in mint condition and you’ll want to keep it that way.
• Batteries. Make sure you set up your smoke alarms and any new electronics.
• Keys and Keypads: Each member in the family should have a key or a code to get into the house and know where the spares are kept.  

With all this in mind, moving day can be fun! Or painless, at the very least. If you’re a long way from moving day and you’re still searching for the perfect new home in DFW, contact us and see where we build.