When you move into your first condo, it can be both exciting and slightly scary at the same time. There’s so much to do, from setting up a new home to dealing with maintenance issues. Once you sign that lease, it’s time to get down to business and start moving into your new condo! While moving can be stressful under the best of circumstances, there are some things you can do to prepare yourself and make the process as smooth as possible.
That said, these eight essential items will make your transition from apartment to condo easier than ever before, and you’ll feel more confident in your new living situation as soon as you find yourself settled in:
Furniture
When you’re apartment shopping, don’t just jump at a place that looks nice. Take inventory of what you plan on bringing with you and see if it’s enough to furnish a space. Bringing your furniture isn’t necessarily a bad thing—you may save money by doing so. Just make sure your stuff fits where you plan on putting it. Also, look into investing in some large floor pillows or an area rug; they can come in handy for making a temporary bed out of couches.
Cooking Appliances
While kitchen appliances are extremely practical, especially for busy professionals who don’t have time to cook every meal from scratch, they can also be expensive. For first-time condo renters, it’s often necessary to think practically and prioritize your needs over your wants. That said, some appliances will make life much easier for newcomers—think hot plate or induction cooktop instead of an oven or microwave; blender or food processor rather than a stand mixer.
Cleaning Supplies
Whether you’re an apartment or condo dweller, cleaning supplies should be a top priority. Whether it’s sweeping and mopping your floors, washing and polishing your windows, or cleaning out your fridge, it’s important to keep up with daily cleaning tasks. Make sure you have all of these items: mop bucket, broom, dustpan/brush set, sponge mop head, trash bags for kitchen and bathroom trash cans.
You can buy replacement heads for your housecleaning tools. That way, every time you need to do dishes, clean off a countertop, scrub some stains from carpeting, etc., you can use fresh equipment.
First Aid Kit
Apart from a few minor injuries, you probably haven’t given much thought to first aid. But accidents do happen, and having a well-stocked kit at home will give you a jump on treating them. Make sure to purchase a kit that includes an emergency blanket— it’s light, inexpensive, and useful for many situations. Include antibiotic ointment, bandages of various sizes and shapes (small round bandages work great for blisters), gauze pads in small and large sizes to cover wounds, and Tylenol or ibuprofen. If you have children who live with you, make sure your kit has an appropriate amount of medicine.
Heating System
Be sure you have a central heating system. While some condos may be equipped with electric baseboard heaters, these are not reliable for heating your entire home and will burn up very quickly. Central units will keep you warm without breaking your budget. If you don’t have one, call a trusted heating company as soon as possible. It’s better to fix these issues before winter arrives than after.
Washing Machine & Dryer
Considering your options, you’ll want to look for a high-efficiency front-loading washer and dryer. They use less water than top loaders, which saves you money on your utility bill, and they dry clothes quickly. Front-loaders are gentler on clothes too, so they can last longer if cared for properly. Look into getting both machines at once; chances are you’ll want to wash loads of laundry right away!
Storage Solutions
If you’re fortunate enough to live alone, you probably don’t need a lot of storage space. For example, even if your condo comes with plenty of closets and cabinets for clothing, odds are you won’t be able to fill them up, unless you have a massive wardrobe or ungodly amount of shoes, there’s simply not going to be enough room for everything. So what do you do? Invest in storage solutions. Some things that can help are shoe shelves, over-the-door shoe racks, wire shelving for pantry items, drawer organizers, and invisible shelves.
Audio/Visual Equipment
An adage in real estate says that if you can’t see it, you can’t have it. So, unless you want to drop some serious cash on a giant flat-screen TV for your bachelor pad, make sure any condo you buy has adequate audio and visual equipment. This doesn’t just mean a mounted computer screen. Speakers should be placed so you can watch movies without disturbing others, and don’t forget about power outlets. If there’s no cable box included in your rent, try investing in an HDTV antenna that will allow you to pick up all of your local channels for free.
The first month of your condo rental can be stressful. If you come prepared with essentials, such as cleaning supplies and toiletries, you’ll quickly feel right at home and you’ll be much more likely to settle into your new home and make a long-term commitment there. By having these eight essential items on hand from day one, you’ll have no trouble overcoming those early challenges!
