Buying a flat is no easy task. You have spent weeks, maybe months, finding a home that suits your needs and tastes. There is no doubt that, after all the paperwork and formalities, when you finally have the keys in your hand, you feel very excited… But also a somewhat overwhelming feeling that tells you: “Okay, we have bought the flat. Now what?”
It's something we've all wondered, especially the first time: What to do after buying a flat?
At Serra, experts in purchase and sale of properties in Garraf and PenedèsHere are some practical tips to make the installation process easier and turn your new home into the place you want to be.
Let's get to it!
The (dreaded) move
Hearing the word “moving” makes many people’s hair stand on end. Organizing a move can be a nightmare… if it is not planned well. So, let’s start with good planning, shall we?
You don't have to spend hours making a perfect plan. Just make a list of all pending tasks and assign a deadline for each.
Maybe you haven't thought about it, but Hire a professional moving company can alleviate much of the physical, logistical and emotional burden that comes with moving house.
Packaging and labeling
Packing your belongings with a little strategy can work wonders, really. Use boxes of different sizes and label them carefully: specify the contents and their location in the new home. This will make unpacking much easier and faster.
Prepare your “survival kit” for the first few days
No, we are not comparing moving to an expedition into the jungle (although many people would find similarities).
What we mean is that, to minimize the chaos of the first days of buying your apartment, it is a good idea to prepare a box or suitcase with:
- Basic kitchen utensils.
- Changes of clothes.
- Personal hygiene products (toothbrushes, combs, soaps, etc.).
- Towels.
- A small first aid kit.
- And any item that is essential in your daily life (from the dog's food to the yoga mat).
Imagine you are going on holiday to an apartment and you have to pack for a week. Voila! That's pretty much what you should have on hand for the first few days in your new house or apartment.
This way, you avoid the stress of not finding the frying pan or shampoo when you need it.
Configure basic services
We advise you to always do this before settling in.
- Supplies: As soon as you have purchased the property, make sure that the basic services are connected. Contact the electricity, water and gas suppliers to inform them of the change of ownership and schedule the activation of the services.
- Internet: A day without an Internet connection can be a near-disaster (especially if you have teenagers!). Find out what options are available in your new area and schedule the installation of Internet service.
The change of direction
Don't forget to inform banks, postal services, insurance companies and agencies such as the Treasury or Social Security of your new address. This will ensure that all your correspondence arrives correctly and avoid unpleasant surprises.
If you change town, remember to go to the town hall to register.
Decoration and furniture
Before you start moving furniture around haphazardly, think about the distributionMeasure the spaces and plan where to place each piece to make sure everything fits.
If you need to buy new furniture, visit different stores to compare quality and price. The furniture you buy should be something you like (you will see it every day for many years!), but it should also be practical, functional and comfortable. A sofa that you love but is so uncomfortable that you can't sit on it for even 5 minutes is not a good purchase.
The most fun part comes with the decorationHere, the best advice we can give you is: do what you want. Do you want to follow the latest trends? Go ahead! Do you prefer to apply your personal and unique taste? Fantastic! The important thing is that the people who are going to live in the house like it.
Buying a flat: A good time to learn to be a handyman
Learning to do minor repairs and odd jobs It can save you time and money. Having a basic toolbox on hand is a good idea for solving simple problems like dripping faucets or door locks.
Nowadays, even the most clumsy person can do it easily thanks to YouTube tutorials!
Security is important when buying a flat
Many times we don't give much importance to security because of the "What do you want to happen?" But in fact, Security should be in the top ten of the priorities when you have just purchased a home.
Consider installing alarm systems, changing the locks (super important!) and installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. These measures will give you peace of mind and, in the unlikely event of an incident, will prevent serious problems.
Get to know the area
Familiarize yourself with services such as shops, health centres, schools, libraries, sports facilities, etc. Knowing where to find the supermarket, pharmacy or park will make the adaptation quicker and more pleasant.
In conclusion, buy a new home It is just the first step in a new stage in life. With these practical tips, we hope that this transition will be smoother and more enjoyable.
And if you want buy an apartment or house in Garraf or Penedès, we invite you to visit our property catalogue. We are sure to have what you are looking for!
