Moving into a new home is a big deal, even if it's just to another rented apartment. Renting doesn't diminish the fact that you're in a new place and can get a new start! You can work on those resolutions you didn't get through in the new year, and you can also really get out there to make that new community your home.
Before you start, however, there are a few essential checklist items you will want to get sorted.
Get Renter's Insurance
Renter's insurance is the renter's equivalent of home insurance. It's smart to get, particularly since any insurance your landlord has won't make it is way back to you. You may even be able to bundle your insurance plans to get a better deal. Bundling and getting bigger savings is why it's always best to go to a State Farm Wilmington DE-based insurance agent like State Farm (an insurance agent in Wilmington DE). Since this agent offers everything from auto and renter's insurance to life and health insurance, you'll likely be able to bundle your package to save overall.
Kit Out Your New Property
Empty homes are the easiest to change – even temporarily. Good ways to upgrade your property include adding shelving and other storage solutions. You can add peel-and-stick decorations that can be removed before you leave. This way, you can quickly change the look of your property before you have to be content with boxes and furniture.
Tip: This is also a good time first to take inventory photos and send a full document to your landlord for a reference. You'll then want to deep clean it since very few cleaning companies get to the nitty gritty.
Have Your Mail Forwarded
While you should create a list of places you need to change the address for, know you likely won't remember all of them. To catch any missing documents, pay to have your mail forwarded. Do this for three to six months. This way, if anything accidentally gets sent to your old address, you'll get it and know where to change your address in the future.
Get Special Additions to Make Your Place More Comfortable
Every new home has its own challenges and needs. For example, if your apartment is on the ground floor, you'll probably want to add a privacy sheet over the windows or get sheer curtains. If it's cold and you have hardwood or laminate, you'll want large rugs. These additions will immediately make your property feel more like home.
Pay Attention to Energy Times
Know the peak times for your new energy provider, and work out how you can save by simply waiting to do your laundry or even prepare meals. Other ways you can save on utilities if this is a concern to you is to stop trying to heat your entire apartment and instead focus on keeping yourself warm. Set your property to a lower temperature (no less than 64°F), and then use a heated blanket to keep yourself warm when you're just hanging out on the couch.
Starting with this energy-efficient mindset can help you save a lot of money, which can then be used to explore your new neighborhood and try out all the new things that will make your new area feel like a community.
