Dawna is a real pro! I am so glad she was on our team. For nearly four years she guided us through the volatility of the San Luis Obispo housing market, answering our questions from a far (we live in Montana) and flagging appropriate properties or developments along the way. When the timing was right and we found just what we were looking for, Dawna expertly guided us through the negotiations and inspections. This wasn't our first home buying experience, but we really appreciated how easy Dawna and her assistant made the whole process. We successfully closed in less than 30 days.
1. Identify: Put photos of your furniture on walls before movers arrive. Print full-page photos of your furniture before you leave your last home, then tape on wall in your new home at your arrival. This will minimize questions about furniture placement from movers, and free up some time for you on moving day. Label each box with detail about contents, and room destination location. Bonus tip: Check your address on various on-line maps and search engines to see how it will look to your guests, or if it is even findable online. This can be inaccurate.
2. Secure: To make access easier, attach a lockbox with combination on the house for trusted cleaning and repair people, so you don’t have to leave your key out or leave your work to let them in. Then change the locks before you move in. This may be more convenient for your schedule and is more secure than leaving your key under a door mat. Bonus tip: Make sure all locks to all exterior doors keyed to the same key.
3. Set up in advance: About one week before closing/moving, preschedule basic utilities to go into your name on the closing date. (Gas, electricity, water/sewer, trash, etc.). This is for savings and for liability reasons. Last minute set up, if available, can be costly. Also, some insurance companies may not cover claims if there are no utilities in place at the time of the disaster.
4. Anticipate Hunger & Maintenance Issues: Find out which take out dining places are popular with locals, and if they will actually deliver to your new address on the day of the move. Find out where the closest hardware store is, before your moving day, and if they sell toilet plungers, sand bags, and a healthy variety of emergency sprinkler parts. Even better if they are open late.
5. Pre-clean- Have the house professionally cleaned before moving in, including carpets, windows, screens. There is no easier time to deep clean the house than when it’s vacant.