You’ve Moved In

When you move into a new home you want to make it yours or if you're a couple, hers. You may have a collection of photos and sports memorabilia that would look perfect on a wall if it weren't for the fact that a minute after hanging all of it up your happy little home becomes a bachelor pad.

So, you've marked all the boxes to show which rooms each box goes in. When it comes to the chemistry of box opening in a move, the first thing on the periodic table is the element of surprise. Hey, I forgot about that. Hey, here's the perfect place for that thing we never used in the old place. Wow, did we really pay to move that?

Where will the furniture go?

This is one part one spouse making scrunchy faces. No..no, not there. There..maybe? You know I liked it better over there. One part the other spouse playing musical chairs with actual chairs and having discussions you never thought you would have about the costs of buying new furniture versus re-upholstery. Recovering furniture is an option many people forget exists but can be a big money saver if it's really a good piece of furniture that just doesn't happen to go with this house with the current upholstery on it.

If you want to visualize and see where your old furniture will fit without having to physically move it there is plenty of software that will do the heavy lifting for you.

The thing is, moving the stuff around really is part of the fun. It's a bit like playing house, only you're really playing house. You get to align that favorite chair and the TV just so. And then there's that picture you never took much notice of but here the sun hits it just so and now you remember why you both liked it so much that you bought it.

Meet the neighbors

On a previous show we recommended you have a yard sale or call a charity to get rid of stuff before you move. But sometimes, moving is so hectic there's really no time to have that yards sale.

Why not have that sale after you move in, it is a great way to meet your neighbors.

Take a walk around the new neighborhood. Enjoy the local park, say hello to the dog walkers and introduce yourself to the local shopkeepers. It is a great way to find out about the area and get a feel for the local community.

So enjoy. Put your feet up. Sit back in your favorite chair.

Things find their places as things seem to do. It takes a few days but even with soap in your eyes you reach for the shower faucet and your hand finally goes right to it. Then you cook for the first time in your new kitchen and some recognizable smells of a favorite dish waft through the place and amazingly...just that....just being able to close your eyes and know that smell and you know you're home.

Written for Real Estate Today Copyright © 2010 Presented by the National Association of Realtors ® All Rights Reserved.