You’ve found the perfect new home, made it through negotiations and are finally ready to close! Now, what about getting all of your stuff to your new digs? Moving can be stressful, so here are a few tips/ideas on how to make the process run as smooth as possible.

Have a yard sale. Downsizing before you move will make the process much simpler and likely cheaper. Go through your house and gather everything that you have not used, or perhaps have even laid eyes on, in at least a year. Looking forward to purchasing new furniture? Great! Sell your current set on Craigslist. Movers base their prices on the amount  of stuff you are moving, so if you have less to put on the truck you can keep more money in your pocket.

Do your research when choosing a moving company. Before you load your entire home’s contents onto a truck, make sure you trust the movers and aren’t getting scammed. Check http://www.protectyourmove.gov for information on how to avoid scams and search for registered movers. Ask around for recommendations,

Do a final walkthrough. Check every drawer, cabinet and closet to make sure you haven’t left anything behind. Survey the space for any damages – if you dinged the walls moving your furniture out be sure to fix it before you leave, you don’t want to haggle with the buyer or lose your deposit on a rental.

Unpack your new home. All of your boxes have made it to your new house, but now unpacking everything may seem like a daunting task. Don’t put it off, you’ll feel much more settled and at home once your belongings are in order. Take it one room at a time – start with the kitchen since it tends to be the heart of any home, and you will be able to cook for yourself and ditch the takeout.

Get to know your new neighborhood. Explore your area and find your nearest grocery store, post office, bank, pharmacy, etc. Go to your new town office and register to vote in your new district. Talk to your new neighbors to get recommendations on the best places to eat in the area.

Announce your move. If you haven’t already, go to the post office to get a change of address form, or file it online for $1. Let your friends and family know your new address – you can send personalized announcements from a number of online print shops. If you’re up for it, throw a housewarming party! Use evite.com to create an invite to email to friends, family and neighbors to get everyone together to celebrate your new digs.