As we go through life, our needs and desires for our homes change. Maybe your family is growing, and you need another bedroom. Or maybe you’ve transitioned to working from home, and you want an office space that is functional and separate from your living space. Renovating or adding an addition to your current home isn’t always feasible or affordable. You may find that the best option for you is to upsize to a bigger home.
Moving from one house to another doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process! As you consider moving into a larger home, there are several factors to keep in mind. If you are considering buying a bigger home in Nassau County or Long Island, NY these tips will help you make the decision with confidence.
1. Goals of Upsizing Your Home
Before you find your next home, make sure you know what you are looking for. Consider how many bedrooms and bathrooms you need and where they are located in the house. If you are planning on a home office, consider which room you will use. Be sure to choose a room that can accommodate your technological and professional needs.
In addition to upsizing your house, you should consider the size and details of the whole property. You may be looking for a larger backyard as your family grows, or a location that provides easy access to public transportation.
2. Understand Your Budget
Factor in moving costs, such as packing supplies, vehicle rentals, and cleaning, as you budget out the expenses of a move. Moving into a bigger home may also mean you have to buy more furniture, decor, curtains, or carpet to fill out a bigger space.
3. Measure Your Furniture and Doorways
A sofa might fit in your current living room, but that doesn’t mean it will work in your new one. Be sure to measure your furniture carefully and plan for where it will go. Also consider the path your furniture will need to travel to its destination. Each piece of furniture has to fit through the doorways, and around corners, to get to its new spot. You may need to explore several options to get a piece of furniture into the house. Some furniture should be taken apart before it is moved and put back together in your new home. Be sure to clearly collect and label any smaller pieces of hardware for each piece of furniture. You may need to look up instructions for how to disassemble or reassemble items that you have not put together recently. Be prepared!
4. The Process of Moving
The moving process is fairly simple: pack, move, unpack.
Let’s break each of these down a little bit more.
Pack
Clearly label each box, so that you know where to place it in your new house. As you are packing, don’t be afraid to purge some items. Seize the opportunity of having a fresh house to experiment with a new decor style or organizational system.
Move
There are many beautiful homes in Long Island, and I am glad that you have found a good fit here. Before moving in, make sure to complete all required inspections and legal processes. Consider hiring a cleaning service to deep clean your new home before you move in. Take advantage of empty rooms to paint or do any other needed renovations as you upsize.
Unpack
Take your time unpacking and getting settled. Allow for some trial and error as you figure out how to best use your new space. It may mean arranging the kitchen in a new way, or trying multiple uses for that closet in the downstairs hallway. Give yourself time to make your bigger house your new home.
5. Change of Address
Be sure to communicate your new address to everyone who needs to know, including:
- friends and family
- credit card companies
- insurance agencies
- Subscription services
- driver’s license agencies
- professional certifying bodies
- doctors’ offices
6. Meet Your New Neighbors
After the work of upsizing your home is over, it’s time to celebrate! Bake some cookies, make some invitations, and have your new neighbors over for a meet and greet. Enjoy your new home, the extra space, and the satisfaction of taking the next step in building a life you love.
7. Contact Michael
As an experienced realtor working in the Nassau, Long Island area, I look forward to helping you through the process of purchasing a larger home to better meet your needs. Contact me today!