It is never easy to uproot your life from one location and move to another, rather the process can be quite overwhelming for most people. This is regardless of whether you are moving to the next neighborhood, a distant city or town, or even across borders.
There are a ton of things to worry about when you are relocating to Denver – new schools, doctors, schools, and finding out about local stores and restaurants. You will need a lot of time to settle in.
However, what takes the cake on your list of worries is making packing and moving arrangements as well as selling your house if required. For these activities alone, you will need a couple of months of intense planning to get organized for moving to the Denver area.
In this guide, we outline seven steps to help you get prepared, get organized, and get settled in your new community. We hope to alleviate the hassle of relocating—so you can focus on the exciting adventure ahead!
![7 Key Steps To Relocation [BLOG]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/efiBV7gil8U/maxresdefault.jpg)
1. Gather Information
If you’re unfamiliar with your new area, start by doing some research.1 Look for data on average housing prices, demographics, school rankings and crime statistics. Search for maps that illustrate local geography, landmarks, public transportation routes and major interstates. If you’re moving across the country, research climate and seasonal weather patterns.
Check out local newspapers and blogs for information on political issues and developments that could impact your new community. You may also want to search for online forums and Facebook Groups relevant to your new area before house moving to Colorado. These can be a great place to find information, ask questions and just observe local attitudes and outlooks.
If you’re relocating for a job, find out if your new employer offers any relocation assistance. Many large corporations have a designated human resources professional to assist employees with relocation efforts, while others may contract this service out to a third party. Some employers will also cover all or a portion of your relocation and moving costs.
By gathering this information up front, you’ll be better prepared to make informed decisions down the road.
| Let us know if you’d like assistance with your information gathering process. We have a wealth of knowledge about this area, and we keep a number of reports and statistics on file in our office. We would be happy to share information and answer any questions you may have. |
2. Identify Your Ideal Neighborhoods
After you have researched your relocation area, you have to get down to the micron level and identify the precise neighborhoods that meet your requirements. Sit down with your family to discuss what are the requirements that will enrich your life and make it easy in the new location.
Focus on certain key factors – your budget, schools, parks, access to public transportation, proximity to shopping malls and restaurants, and very critically, the crime rate. If possible, visit the neighborhood to feel the vibe and whether you kike it.
If the move-in ready homes in Denver that you like require street parking, visit the area over the weekends to check the number of cars parked around and whether there will be space for yours.
If you are still confused about which neighborhood will be ideal for your family, get professional assistance from a local real estate agent who can suitably guide you in this regard.
| We provide neighborhood assessments and advice as a free service if you’re relocating to our area. Or, if you’re moving out of town, we can refer you to a local agent who can help. |
3. Find Your New Home (and Sell Your Old One)
There are two important steps that you must go through now. The first is finding a new home for moving to the Denver area and the other is to sell your present home.
Let us start with the search for a new house.
After you have narrowed down the preferred neighborhoods, start looking for a home in the vicinity. Now is the time to contact a real estate agent to make the search fruitful. They know about the market listings and can search for properties that match your needs. Generally, they also do not charge commissions from buyers for their services.
Create a detailed list of what you need in your new house – the square footage, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and other things that are important for your family. This might include a backyard, an updated kitchen, and more. Now, prune your list to the top 10 features in order of priority and make this the starting point of your home search.
You have to make certain sacrifices and compromises unless you have an unlimited budget for house moving to Colorado.
If you already own a home, you have to simultaneously start the process of selling it or renting it out. A real estate agent can help you evaluate your options based on current market conditions. He or she can also give you an idea of how much equity you have in your current home so you know how much you can afford to spend on your new one.
Your agent can also advise you on how to time your sale and purchase. While some buyers are able to qualify for and cover the costs of two concurrent mortgages, many are not. There are a number of options available, and a skilled agent can help you determine the best course given your circumstances.
| We would love to assist you if you have plans to buy or sell a home in our area. Please contact us to schedule a free consultation so we can discuss your unique needs and devise a custom plan to make your relocation as seamless as possible. If you’re relocating outside of our area, we can help you find a trusted agent in your new city. |
4. Prepare for Your Departure
Preparation for departure to your new home is not only about packing and transportation but also about calming the emotional apprehensions of your children. They will be leaving their school and friends behind and this can be a traumatic experience. Communicate calmly with them and if possible, take them on a tour of the new neighborhood. This will put their minds at rest.
Packing will take up a lot of your time so start early. Get all the supplies needed like boxes, tapes, bubble wrap, and tissue paper. Do not carry things to your new home that have been stored in the attic or basement for years. Dispose of them as trash, and donate your old clothes. Start on a new footing when you are relocating to Denver.
To make the unpacking easy later, label the top and sides of the boxes with information about the contents. This will give you a fairly good idea about which room to dump each box in your new home. Number the boxes and keep a master inventory list to ensure that none of the cartons goes missing.
Even though it might cost a lot more, outsource this rather overwhelming packing and transportation job to reputed packers and movers if you have the budget to spare. Research a few companies and compare the price options. Call them over to get precise moving quotations from them. And do not pay a large deposit until your goods are transported and delivered.
You can also choose to have your car transported and make travel arrangements while you are house moving to Colorado. Alternatively, you can drive down to your new destination after making plans for overnight accommodations along the way if required.
| Looking for a reputable moving company? We are happy to provide referrals, as well as recommendations on where to procure packing supplies in our area. |
5. Prepare for Your Arrival
To make your transition go smoothly, prepare for your arrival well before moving day. Depending on how long your belongings will take to arrive, you may need to arrange for temporary hotel accommodations. If you plan to move in directly, pack an “essentials box” with everything you’ll need for the first couple of nights in your new home, such as toiletries, toilet paper, towels, linens, pajamas, cell phone chargers, snacks, pet food and a change of clothes.7 This will keep you from searching through boxes after an exhausting day of moving.
Arrange in advance for your utilities to be turned on, especially essentials like water, electricity and gas. (And while you’re at it, schedule a shut-off date for your current utilities.) Update your address on all accounts and subscriptions and arrange to have your mail forwarded through the postal service. If you have children, register them for their new school or daycare and arrange for the transfer of any necessary records.
You may want to have the house professionally cleaned before moving in. And if you plan to remodel, paint or install new flooring, it’s easier to have it done before you bring in all of your belongings.8 However, it’s not always feasible without someone you trust locally who can supervise. Another option is to keep a portion of your things in storage while you complete some of these projects.
If there are no window treatments, you may need to install some (or at least put up temporary privacy film), especially in bedrooms and bathrooms. And if appliances are missing, consider purchasing them ahead of time and arranging for delivery and installation shortly after you arrive. Just be sure to check measurements and installation instructions carefully so you aren’t stuck with an appliance that doesn’t fit or that requires costly modifications to your new home.
If you own a car, check the requirements for a driver’s license and vehicle registration in your new area and contact your insurance company to update your policy.8 If you will rely on public transportation, research options and schedules.
| If you’re relocating to our area, we can help! We offer “VIP Relocation Assistance” to all of our buyer clients. Contact us for a list of preferred hotels, utility providers, housekeepers, contractors and more! |
6. Get Settled In Your New Home
The sight of a pile of boxes strewn across every room can be daunting even for the strong-hearted. However, this is a fresh opportunity to make a fresh start in life. Create a plan for settling down so that your unpacking can be a well-laid-out and organized affair.
Do not rush through the unpacking. Live off the “essentials” box that you packed (check our last point) for a few nights while you slowly get each room laid out. Start with children’s rooms if you have young ones. Seeing the familiar things around them will have a comforting and calming effect. Next, unpack the bedroom and the kitchen items on a “need-to-use” basis.
Pets can get confused too in an unfamiliar place when you move into ready homes in Denver. Put them in a single room with all their favorite toys, water bowl, food, and treats so they are comfortable. Once settled in, you can introduce them to other rooms.
As you unpack, make a list of items that need to be purchased so you’re not making multiple trips to the store. Also, start a list of needed repairs and installations. If you have a home warranty, find out what’s covered and the process for filing a service order.
Although you may be eager to get everything unpacked, it’s important to take occasional breaks. Have some fun, relax, and explore your new hometown!
| Need help with unpacking, organizing or decorating your new home? Contact us for a list of recommended professionals in our area. And when you’re ready to start exploring local “hot spots,” we’d love to fill you in on our favorite restaurants, stores, parks and other attractions! |
7. Get Involved In Your New Community
Studies show that moving can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression. People who have recently moved tend to be isolated socially, more stressed, and less likely to participate in exercise and hobbies. However, there are ways to combat these negative effects.12
First, get out and explore. In a 2016 study, recent movers were shown to spend less time on physical activities and more time on their computers, which has been proven to lead to feelings of depression and loneliness. Instead, get out of your house and investigate your new area. And if you travel by foot, you’ll gain the advantages of fresh air and exercise.12
Combat feelings of isolation by making an effort to meet people in your new community. Find a local interest group, take a class, join a place of worship or volunteer for a cause. Don’t wait for friends to come knocking on your door. Instead, go out and find them.
Finally, be a good neighbor. Make an effort to introduce yourself to your new neighbors, invite them over for coffee or dinner, and offer assistance when they need it. Once you’ve developed friendships and a support system within your new neighborhood, it will truly start to feel like home.
| Want more ideas on how to get involved in your community? Contact us for a free copy of our report, “Welcome Home: 10 Tips to Turn Your Neighborhood Into a Hometown Haven.” |
LET’S GET MOVING
While moving is never easy, these seven steps offer an action plan to get you started on your new adventure. To avoid getting overwhelmed, focus on one step at a time. And don’t hesitate to ask for help!
In a 2015 study, 61 percent of participants ranked moving at the top of their stress list, above divorce and starting a new job.13 But with a little preparation—and the right team of professionals to assist you—it is possible to have a positive relocation experience.
We specialize in assisting home buyers and sellers with a seamless and “less-stress” relocation. Along with our referral network of movers, handymen, housekeepers, decorators, contractors and other service providers, we can help take the hassle and headache out of your upcoming move. Give us a call or message us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation!
Sources:
- You Move Me –
https://www.youmoveme.com/us/blog/105-tips-for-a-successful-relocation - HouseLogic.com –
https://www.houselogic.com/buy/house-hunting/must-have-items/ - Livestrong –
https://www.livestrong.com/article/436651-the-effects-of-sunlight-fresh-air-on-the-body/ - Parents Magazine –
https://www.parents.com/parenting/money/buy-a-house/make-moving-easier-on-you-and-your-kids/ - The Spruce –
https://www.thespruce.com/starting-to-pack-for-your-move-2436470 - Moving.com –
https://www.moving.com/tips/hiring-quality-movers/ - The Spruce –
https://www.thespruce.com/unpack-your-entire-home-2435815 - HouseLogic.com –
https://www.houselogic.com/buy/moving-in/before-you-move/ - HGTV –
https://www.hgtv.com/design/real-estate/moving-checklist - Moving.com –
https://www.moving.com/tips/how-to-unpack-and-organize-your-house/ - ASPCA –
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/moving-your-pet - Psychology Today –
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/is-where-you-belong/201607/why-youre-miserable-after-move - The Daily Express
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/574171/Divorce-stressful-moving-home
