Congratulations on your new home! The inspection is complete, the papers are signed, and the keys to your new home are in your hands. Here are some helpful tips from Olivex to make your transition as smooth as possible.

Get Your Move On

Figure out how much help you need with your move

Depending on how much you have and how far you’re going, you may want to consider hiring a mover. Your three basic options are:

· doing all the packing and moving yourself with the help of some willing friends - pizza, anyone?

· you handle packing up the boxes, but the movers load, move and unload the truck for you - this is a great option if you’re moving to a completely new area and need a little muscle for your belongings!

· the moving company handles the whole move from the packing of boxes down to unloading your stuff at your new home - this is obviously more expensive, but great if you’re physically unable to load and unload, if you’re going far, if you have a lot of fragile items or if you’re in a big rush

Read more about these different moving options by checking out our post on preparing to move out of your home and compare moving companies to figure out whose prices and services meet your needs.

Get your utilities up and running

Do a little research on your service providers, so you can get your utilities set up right before you move. Compare different service providers to make sure you get the best deal for your new neighborhood.

Set up mail forwarding

It’s totally easy to set up mail forwarding, so you can have all your mail rerouted to your new home - just request a change of address with the Canada Post Office.

Make It Your Own

One of the most exciting things about becoming a homeowner is finally having a place that’s yours and that you can personalize any way you want! That’s right, no more ugly wood paneling or blank white walls (unless that’s your thing).

Take it a step (and a room!) at a time. Whether you’re an expert DIYer, or just want to do a few simple things to your new home to show off your personal style, there are loads of ideas out there to get you started! Find a project you like that fits in your budget, and enjoy creating a home that’s all your own.

Stay in the Know

Keep track of tax deductions.

Make sure you’re up-to-speed about tax deductions you’re entitled to as a homeowner. Get educated on your property taxes and what tax breaks you qualify for.

Keep an eye on your neighborhood

Now that you have a real vested interest in your local market, stay on top of nearby property values by looking at Olivex.ca. By “watching” your home, you’ll get weekly updates about what’s happening with the real estate around you.

We hope these tips make your move a stress-free and smooth one – enjoy settling into your new home!