Ready to move in your new house in Sunshine Coast

Abstract
Ready to move in your new house?
Josh Martin
University of Queensland
Moving to a new city can give you that sense of disorientation, that uneasy feeling that you
don’t really belong there. Time will often help you overcome the initial shock, but post move
periods can be really tough in the very beginning, especially if you have absolutely no idea
what things to do after a move. Here you will find all the details.
I. Introduction
Leaving your old house and moving to a new and unfamiliar place is always hectic, not only
physically, but mentally too. Moving to a new location has its own excitement, but leaving the
familiar place is quite painful. And in this turmoil, many people forget to do the necessary
things that are needed to make that move, and they end up in chaos and with so many
problems.
If you are planning to leave your current home, don’t wait until the last minute. Remember
that moving can be one of the biggest household tasks and it can be extremely overwhelming
if you don’t organize your stuff and set a plan. So, to avoid confusion and difficulties on the
big day, here are the tips that one should keep in mind while moving to the new place.
II.
Signs - it’s time to move to a new house
Thinking of moving soon? Whether you’re sick of your job or sick of your neighbors, there are
plenty of reasons why it could be time for a change. Here are 11 common signs that it’s high
time to move.
1 Things are getting tight
Look around. Are things getting a bit tight in your household? If so, it may be time to move.
One of the most obvious tell-tale signs that it’s time to move is when you no longer have room
for anything. Maybe you had a baby. Maybe an aging parent is moving in with you. Maybe
you need an extra guest room. Or maybe you just can’t turn around without tripping over all
your stuff. Whatever the reason – when space is tight, you know it’s time to move to a bigger
place.
2 You’re ready for an upgrade
If you’re ready to live in a nicer neighborhood or in a nicer home, it’s probably time for an
upgrade. Many features, such as central air conditioning and heat, updated appliances, a
modern kitchen, more storage space, a swimming pool, built-ins, and a larger yard may not

come with the home you currently own. And while you could renovate and make some
improvements, there’s a good chance that: A – those renovations will take longer than
originally expected (they always do); B – it’s going to end up costing you more than the original
estimate (it always does); and C – you’ll run into hiccups along the way, such as walls that are
unable to come down or piping problems. Also, there might not be much you can do to change
some of your home’s current features (e.g. a small backyard).
3 Job opportunity in a new city
Moving for a job is one of the most common (and most exciting) reasons for relocating to a
new city. Maybe you’re hoping to accelerate your career. Or maybe you’re moving to the city
that fits your specific industry. Whatever the reason, moving for work remains a regular
occurrence in Australia. In fact, according to the Bureau, moving for a new job or a job transfer
is the top job-related reason for moving.
4 Suburban life is calling your name
After years of living in a fast-paced and congested city, many are ready to suck it up and make
the move to the ‘burbs. Why? A lower cost of living, safe neighborhoods, and good schools
could explain why many couples and families move to the suburbs every year. Not to mention,
residents usually get more bang for their buck in terms of square footage and outdoor space,
as compared to living in a city.
5 There’s too much empty space in your home
Hearing crickets in your home? It might be time to downsize. For the empty nesters, leaving
a large home filled with memories can be a hard decision. But remember – less really is more.

By downsizing, decluttering and moving to a home that better suits your current needs, you’ll
be able to spend more time doing what you love and less time cleaning an empty house.
6 Safety concerns and/or bad neighbors
One of the top reasons for moving is a lack of safety in the neighborhood. If you feel that your
street isn’t safe, then relocating to a new area and home may be the best way to remove
yourself from a dangerous situation. Disruptive neighbors, loud dogs and environmental
hazards are all good reasons to move to a new home.
7 Your relationship changes
A change in a relationship is one of the most common reasons for relocating to a new home.
If things are going well with your significant other, it may be time to move in together. If things
are going sour, it may be time to move on (and out!) for good. Whatever the reason for your
move, make sure you and your partner have a solid relocation plan.
8 The commute is killing you
Live far away from work? The process of commuting – from fighting traffic to fighting for a
seat – can be an extremely stressful experience. Over time, the daily grind of getting to and
from work may be too much to handle. For this reason, many folks gladly pack their bags
every year for the chance to live closer to work. Not only will moving closer to work grant you
more sleep but it could also make you a healthier person. According to CNN, a shorter
commute to work could increase your lifespan. The article reports that “there is a noticeable
decline in health and well being if you have a longer commute.” How’s that for compelling?
9 Your financial situation improves or worsens
Financial changes at home can have a big impact on where you live. For the lucky ones – those
who inherit money, receive a raise or land a higher-paying job – this could mean possessing
the financial resources to move to a new, nicer house. For the unlucky ones – those who lose
a job or lose money somehow – this could mean having to downsize your home and lifestyle.
10 Family commitments
Life doesn’t always go as planned. Whether it’s an aging parent in need or a partner’s job
transfer, various family commitments and ties can mean making a move you never thought
you’d have to make. Whatever the reason, try to stay as positive as possible about your
upcoming relocation.
11 Your kids need better schools
Choosing a new home in a neighbourhood zoned for great schools is one of the top reasons
thousands of families move every year. To compare schools in your area, check School
Ratings. Our ratings pull various school report information from our database of nearly 90,000
public and private schools serving grades kindergarten through 12th grade. The Great Schools
ratings provided by our reports should give you a handy way to assess a school at a glance.
III.
Want to relocate but housing market is slow?

One of the most significant challenges of relocating is finding a buyer who is ready to pay the
right price for your current house. It becomes even more challenging if you are relying on the
proceeds from the sale to finance the new home. Anyone from Sunshine Coast, Australia who
has ever been in a position where they needed to sell their house quickly will tell you that it
is not easy.
But what happens when you want to relocate at a time when the housing market is slow? A
slow housing market means a glut of great houses available for people who are looking to buy
new homes. But for people looking to sell their homes, it can be a frustrating time. Buyers are
hard to come by, and this makes it very difficult to sell at the right price. It is better if you
vacate the premise with the help of the best removalist in Sunshine Coast so that your space
looks more attractive to the buyers.
Here are some tips to help you sell your Sunshine Coast home in a slow housing market:
1. Improve your house’s appeal
First impressions always last longer. This expression is even more critical when you are trying
to sell your house in a market where there are more sellers than buyers. Your top priority
should be to make sure that any potential buyer’s first impression of your home is a positive
one. Remember you don’t have a second chance to make a good impact. If your house is not
appealing enough, potential buyers will just move to the next seller in Sunshine Coast. For
this, get your house cleaned by a reputed and professional cleaning company in Sunshine
Coast, to give it a better look.
2. Be more flexible with your terms
A slow housing market is also known as a buyer’s market. It is a market in which buyers hold
most of the cards. One way to make it easier to sell your house in such a market is to adjust
the different terms of sale in Sunshine Coast, so that potential buyers find it more attractive
than what is available in the market. For example, instead of lowering the price of your house,
you can do things like offering more flexible terms of payment and extending the closing date.

3. Be patient
If you are selling your Sunshine Coast home in a slow housing market, you must be patient to
find the best deal. In fact, patience is one of the most important virtues in real estate. You
must take time to understand every prospective buyer’s needs, which will help you find the
buyer that is closest to matching your criteria. Your patience will protect you from making
decisions on impulse. Also, you can always opt for a quick move in Sunshine Coast as soon as
you find the right investor for your property.
4. Pay considerable attention to the first offer
You might get offers as early as the first few days or weeks. It is tempting to hold out in the
hope of getting better offers, but this can turn out to be a huge mistake. In many cases, the
earliest proposals are always the best. Remember that prospective buyers are very likely to
have a variety of houses in Sunshine Coast that they can buy. Nothing feels worse like letting
a good offer go only to end up selling at a lower price.
5. Price your house right
When selling a property in a place like Sunshine Coast, you need to have a good understanding
of the market conditions in that area. You just cannot afford to operate in ignorance. Before
you put your house up for sale, find out what other apartments in your neighbourhood are
selling for, to have a rough idea of how to price yours. You don’t want to lose significant sums
of money because you under-priced your property or miss a deal due to overpricing.
6. Have a marketing plan
In order to attract the best prospects, you need to have a marketing plan that will ensure that
as many prospective buyers as possible are aware of the availability of your house for sale.
You also need to ensure that your marketing plan highlights all the bestselling points. At the
same time, you should make sure that prospective buyers can verify everything you claim in
your marketing message.
IV.
What to Know Before Moving?
Information is power!
It’s so much easier to do something when you know how to do it, right?
Even the fairly complicated process of moving house can be turned into a problem-free and
stress-free experience when you’ve got a convenient list of things to know before moving
out.
Make your move the easiest one yet by being 100% prepared in terms of what to expect
from your move and what to do to keep the relocation as smoothly as possible.

Here’s what to know before moving – the top 10 things you must be familiar with when
moving from one home to another.
1. Precise cost estimation is the first step
The home moving process can be rather confusing for people who have never moved house
before or who have little relocation experience. With so many things to do before moving
out, it’s easy for a person to get baffled as to how to start the preparation period.
What to know when moving is that as soon as the house move is confirmed, your very first
step is to learn how much that upcoming move will cost you. Keep in mind that the cost of
the move will determine how you approach the entire relocation.
To learn the cost of your move, request free cost estimates from reputable pre-screened
moving companies.
Then, when the initial contact is established, ask those movers to visit your home in person
so that they can provide you with accurate in-home price quotes. You must have those
moving experts visit your place – cost estimates received over the phone or via e-mail
cannot possibly be accurate enough.
So, one of the very first things to think about when moving is getting correct cost estimates
done by professionals at your own home.
2. Hiring good movers is the best way to go
One of the things you should know before moving out is that hiring good movers to get the
job done is the best way to approach the situation. Many people mistakenly believe that

using professional movers is always the more expensive option, but that is clearly not the
case.
One thing that should not be forgotten is that organizing a self-move has a number of
hidden DIY costs that can really hurt your budget: from the cost of packing supplies to
renting moving equipment and a moving van, the self-moving expenses will only continue to
grow even without factoring in the costs of repairing possible property damage or treating
personal injuries.
The thing to remember when moving is that top-rated full-service moving companies offer
customized relocation solutions to fit different home moving budgets. In addition,
professional movers come insured so that you know your prized possessions will be in good
hands. Pro movers’ extensive experience in packing and moving all types of household items
cannot be easily dismissed either.
Hiring the right moving company for you comes down to doing your homework. One of the
things to consider when moving to a new city is researching your movers well prior to using
their services to avoid unpleasant surprises.
3. Following a moving checklist is a must
One thing to think about before moving out is this: the preparation stage often turns out to
be an unfair race with time due to the overwhelming number of pre-move tasks waiting to
be completed. This is why organizing your time properly is the key to having a successful
move from start to finish.
Take full control of your time by following a moving checklist – the ultimate time
management tool you must use to your advantage. A good moving checklist will not only list
the most important things to do when moving house, but it will tell you when to do those
tasks and how much time you’ve got for their completion.
Take a great moving timeline and personalize it to make it your own. Remove the tasks that
are irrelevant in your relocation case – for example, dismiss all pet-related tasks if you don’t
own a pet animal, and include jobs that are specific for your set of relocation circumstances.
4. Saving money when moving is your top priority
One of the things to know before moving is that, in the majority of cases, moving house will
prove to be an expensive affair. As you can see, this fact is good enough to make you start
looking for various ways to save money when moving between two homes. Money doesn’t
grow on trees, and you understand well that your savings will be at risk unless you do all in
your power to reduce moving costs.
5. Decluttering your home before moving is strongly recommended
If you haven’t moved house before, you may easily make the costly mistake of moving every
single item you own without decluttering your home first. To avoid this common relocation

error, one of the things to consider when moving out for the first time is to inventory your
entire home and then get rid of all items that are useless.
6. Packing by yourself can save you a fortune
What you need to know before moving is that packing as a moving task will play a major
role in determining how smoothly and affordable your move goes. Why?
Without a doubt, packing for a move is the most important assignment in your moving
calendar, so how you handle it will make everything either easier or tougher for you in the
end.
Choose to manage the packing challenge by yourself and you will be rewarded with the
ultimate prize when moving to another home – substantial cost reduction.
7. Moving house without assistance is… impossible
Moving house is an impossible task for one person – if you still don’t realize this, you will
soon. So, when the time comes to start the preparation steps, it’s really important that you
figure out who your helpers will be.
8. Moving day can be dangerous
Obviously, there are quite a lot of things to know when moving from one home to another.
In fact, you have to keep track of so many things that you may soon get overwhelmed, and
then confused about what to do next.
Make sure you remember this: SAFETY when moving house – that is SAFETY on moving day
itself – should be a TOP-PRIORITY task for you. The thing is that, when heavy and big items
are being moved on the day of the move, things can become dangerous in a split second.
SAFETY is what you should be thinking about when moving house. Here are 3 things you
should do guarantee a high level of safety for you and for all participants in the house move.
9. Moving out can be more stressful than you think
What to know before moving to across the country? Get this: the home moving process is
one of the most stressful events in life.
Sure, you may have heard from someone, or you may have read somewhere, that moving
home is extremely stressful, but have you wondered yourself why that is so?
Now that you yourself are moving house, it’s time to find the answer to that question, and
of course – possible solutions to reduce that relocation stress.
10. Moving mistakes can be your worst enemy

To make a mistake is never fun, but to make a mistake when moving home can easily end up
being something much more serious. After all, your money, your time and your energy will
be tested during the home relocation process, so any error from you will only make things
more complicated.
V. Things to Do Before Moving into Your New Home
Our son and daughter-in-law just purchased their first home. It's in a location that allows an
easy commute into Boston, where our son works, and is just a few towns away from where
his wife works. The house is in a older suburb adjacent to Boston, and is itself older and in
need of some TLC. So rather than move in right away, the new homeowners will stay in their
apartment until the lease is up. They'll spend just about every free moment of the few months
getting their house ready to live in.
Of course, we didn't let them do all of this alone. Uncle Ralph and I traveled to Boston to
spend a week helping them clean, paint and otherwise get the house ready. One of the things
that we really helped with is how to prioritize tasks. Since it's getting close to winter, we
stressed the importance of getting only the most basic outside things done. Fixing up the yard,
cleaning the siding, touching up the paint etc. can all wait for the spring. What really needed
to be done is the inside, not only so they can move in but so they can live there comfortably
through the approaching winter.
1. Change the locks on the exterior doors. As soon as the closing is over and you've gotten
the keys to your house, either buy and install new lock sets or have a locksmith come to the

house to switch them out. Let's face it, the previous owners, Realtors, maintenance folks and
who knows who else are all likely to have keys to your place. For some peace of mind and as
a necessary step in making this house yours, get new locks installed immediately.
2. Get the house cleaned up. While many folks will leave the house clean for you, some won't.
Even if they do, you'll want to clean everything for yourself. You can hire a service to do this,
something I heartily recommend if time is tight, or you can do it yourself. If you do it yourself,
set up an area with all of the supplies and tools you'll need to get the job done: buckets,
brooms, mops, a vacuum, cleaners for each type of surface etc. Washing down cabinets,
counters and plumbing fixtures and cleaning the carpeting etc. will make you feel good about
the house. And don't forget a healthy supply of rubber gloves. No sense ruining that
manicure!
3. Paint all the walls and ceilings. This can be really time consuming, so you'll probably want
to hire professionals if you can. There's no point in just slapping up a coat of paint if the walls
and ceilings are damaged — if they have cracks, holes and other defects. Prepping these
surfaces can be a real chore. So unless you have a relative or two who can help, save yourself
a lot of time and just hire someone.Also, if you're short on time and the house is in dire straits
and every surface needs painting, consider one neutral color for every room. This will just
make it easier and limit the number of decisions you'll have to make now. You can always go
back and repaint rooms the colors you want as time permits.
4. Get some closet organizers. Many older houses suffer from closets that have a simple pole
and shelf (if that). Look at where you'll store what and get the closets outfitted to
accommodate everything, to make moving in less stressful and your life in the new house
more enjoyable.
And don't just look at the closets. Think about where you'll put everything, from winter boots
to laundry detergent. A well-placed extra shelf, coat hook etc. will go a long way toward
making the house that much easier to live in.
5. Install new switch plates and other devices. Many older houses, especially those that have
undergone a series of renovations, will have mismatched outlets, dirty and discolored cover
plates, and rusted or damaged air vent covers. I find that replacing all of these so that there's
a uniformity and newness to them makes a home feel newer and, understandably, cleaner.
While switching out a cover plate takes nothing more than a small screwdriver, bear in mind
that replacing electrical devices isn't necessarily a good DIY project unless you're really
comfortable working with electricity.
6. Have the mechanical equipment cleaned and serviced. Do this as soon as you buy the
house. Getting the heating and cooling systems cleaned and other routine tasks done is
important — as is getting a service contract so if the system stops working in the depths of
winter, you'll not have to overpay to get a technician to come to your home.We've always
had good luck asking our new neighbors which company they have found to be reputable and
attentive for this work. It's also a great way to meet the neighbors.
7. Install window treatments. Whether you have these custom made or you go for some
inexpensive and temporary shades, you'll want to get some something on your windows —

oth for privacy and that finishing touch. There will be time later, as you live in the house and
get to know it better, to choose a more personalized option.
VI.
Guidance and Checklists to Help You Move
Moving is one of the most stressful life events. It requires us to organize, plan, and
remember to do several things in a timely manner. So keeping track of everything can be
very challenging. That is where a few guidelines and checklists come in handy. From starting
with the right packing supplies to boxing your belongings efficiently to have sent out all of
the proper forms, moving calls for accomplishing many things at once. Making some lists
and following a few guidelines will help you stay on track.
Packing Supply Shopping Guide
There's nothing worse than being knee-deep in packing and realizing you've run out of
boxes—especially if it's late at night. By following a few guidelines, you can feel rest assured
you have everything you need and are prepared to pack up, without emergency supply runs.
Make a list of all of the types boxes you will need, the necessary amount of packing supplies,
and if there are any special items (extra-large boxes or particular padding) that you require
to make this arduous task as seamless as possible.
Change of Address Checklist
Here is an area where it's very easy to forget something. Many times, we are more focused
on getting the contents of our house into boxes than reaching out to people and filling out
forms. When moving, however, it's important to remember all the ways you get information
and utilities to your home, from the postal service to the internet provider to the children's
schools.

Divided into categories—public offices, utilities, financial, organizations, residential services,
and online deliveries—this checklist will help you keep track of who you have contacted and
forwarded your new address.
Questions to Ask the Movers
Choosing the right movers can make or break the experience. You want to make sure the
crew transporting your treasured belongings will treat them with care, and if something
does happen while in their possession, the movers will take responsibility and act
appropriately.
First, you want to look for best movers for the job. This is an important decision, so don't
just go with the first name in the yellow pages! Once you have the important criteria to look
for, keep it in mind each time you call a moving company.
Things to Pack in the "Essentials" Box
It's almost impossible to get a new house organized and ready to go on the first day after
moving; it usually takes some time before you settle into your new place. But life goes on,
and you still need to eat, drink, sleep, wash up, feed the dog, etc. before you are fully
comfortable.
What You Need to Do to Move Overseas
International moving is difficult. There are so many extra tasks you need to do to prepare to
move that it's often difficult to keep track. In addition to everything else a regular move
entails, there are many other things that are not day-to-day concerns. Moving to another
country requires additional planning ahead—immigration documentation, health papers,
taxes, among many other things—it's a long list. If you're moving overseas, having a
checklist as a guide will help you through a complicated move.
Collecting Your Records
One of the things most often forgotten during a move is getting all of your records together
to transfer to your new home. From your kids' school records to the family's medical records
to your financial records, there are plenty of documents to get a hold of. Having this list will
help you stay on track.
VII.
Things to Do After Moving
Yet, the post relocation period doesn’t have to be tough at all. The checklist below will give
you good suggestions of what to do after you move into a new house. The thing is, if you
organize your time right, you won’t even have to deal with any stressful or confusing
situations. Ready for some good post move checklist entries?

1. Organize your post move time
By the way, your professional movers didn’t overcharge you, did they? Your post move
period starts as soon as you step over the threshold of your new house or apartment. You’ll
probably notice that the very first day after moving into a new home is mostly characterized
by a feeling of relief that the house move is finally over and now you can finally shake off
that nerve-wracking build-up of stress and anxiety.
2. Unpack that mountain of boxes
Unlike packing up your home for a move, the best thing about unpacking is that you can
actually stretch it in time and complete it at a much more comfortable pace. Unpacking
after the move is important and its time consuming nature shouldn’t be underestimated,
but you don’t really have a fast approaching deadline (your moving day) to try to
desperately fit into.
3. Learn the secrets of your new home
In most cases, your new home will be completely unknown territory for you, so it’s time to
summon the explorer in you and set on an exploratory tour around the residence. Look for
any signs of pre-existing damage, inspect the pipes for leaks, and keep your eyes open for
unpleasant signs of infestation. Also, locate the fuse box and the main water stop valve in
case of emergencies, and then write down the readings of your water- and electricity
meters.
4. Change your postal address
Regardless of whether you moved just across town, relocated to a new city in the same
state, or completed a cross country move, the postal address of your new home will be
different. And that basically means that unless you take the time to change your address
shortly after the house move, you’ll continue to receive your regular mail at your old
address, which is no good.

5. Register your child at a new school
If you just moved to a new house with a school age child, then you must understand how
important it is to find a new school for him or her, so that they can continue their education.
That new school has to be a reputable one too so that your kid can get the best possible
start of his or her life.
6. Find suitable health care providers
You never know how your body and mind will react to the stress of the recent move, or the
conditions of the new city environment. One potential problem is that the health care
provider you knew and trusted for years can no longer see you and have a look at you
should you catch a cold, become more seriously ill, or simply need a specific document from
a doctor.
7. Register your motor vehicle
Did you have your car transported for you? If you just crossed one or several state lines to
reach your destination, then you shouldn’t forget to register your car in the new state. For
your information, you may need to transfer your driver’s license as well. The good news
here is that both these tasks are fairly straightforward, so all you need to do is find the time
to visit the local DMV office to take care of it.
8. Help your pets acclimatize
If you just relocated with a pet, or pets, then you shouldn’t wonder too much about what to
do after you move into a new house. This is so simply because one of the answers is too
clear – you need to make sure your animal friend is feeling okay after the sudden change of
scenery and unexpected leap out of their comfort zone.
9. Make new friends
Moving into a new home can be hard for everyone involved. A possible side effect of the
recent residential move is a phenomenon known as separation anxiety. The fact that you
moved away from good friends and family is a reason enough to make you sad, and even
depressed. And to make things worse, you probably don’t know anyone in the new city. At
least not yet.
10. Get to know your new city
You should get to know that new city a little better, of course! In addition to the strictly
practical side of knowing where to find the most essential places in town (supermarkets,
banks, medical centers, post offices, car services, schools, banks, important government
institutions, etc.), the more familiar you get with the new place, the more comfortable you
will feel living and working there.

VIII.
Conclusion
We know that moving is already a hassle, and the last thing you want to do is add more to
your plate. If you put these key tasks off, though, you’re ultimately making them harder to
tackle in the long run. Knock out these eight to-dos before moving in and you’ll be able to
enjoy life in your new home stress-free, the way you deserve.
IX.
References:
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Erick Clifford. 7 Tips To Keep In Mind While Moving To A New Place | Lifehack. Retrieved 10
June, 2019, from
https://www.lifehack.org/508131/7-tips-keep-mind-while-moving-new-place
Better Removalists Sunshine Coast. (2018) Want to relocate but housing market is slow? |
Retrieved 10 June, 2019, from
https://www.betterremovalistssunshinecoast.com.au/want-relocate-housing-market-slow/
Houzz Contributor. (2013) 7 Things To Do Before You Move Into A New House | Forbes.
Retrieved 10 June, 2019, from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/houzz/2013/11/14/7-things-to-do-before-you-move-into-a-newhouse/
Kacie Goff. (2018) Things You Need to Do Before Moving Into Your New Home | freshome.
Retrieved 10 June, 2019, from
https://freshome.com/moving/things-to-do-before-moving-in/
Diane Schmidt. (2019) Guidance and Checklists to Help You Move | thespruce. Retrieved 10
June, 2019, from
https://www.thespruce.com/checklists-to-help-you-move-2436710
Anthony Bale. (2016) Essential Things To Do After Moving | themovingblog. Retrieved 10
June, 2019, from
https://www.themovingblog.com/what-to-do-after-moving/