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What To Do When You First Move In

A house full of moving boxes can be overwhelming. Make a plan before you start unpacking. Know where you want to put things you'll be using, and what will go into storage. Unpack first the things your household needs to function: sheets and towels, kitchen gear, clothes.

Here are some other tips for making your arrival as smooth as possible:

• Arrange for the telephone and utilities to be switched on the day you move in. If you are having any contracting work done before you move in, you may want to have them switched on as soon as the previous owners vacate.

• Arrange for special services. Such services may include garbage pick-up, cable television service, or local newspaper delivery.

• Change the locks on all entry doors. This ensures that only you and your household will have access to your house.

• Collapse boxes for storage or recycling. Save any boxes you need to repack items for storage.

• Settle your children into school. If you're moving to a new school district, you'll need to enroll your children if you haven't already done so. Be sure you have their medical records with you; most schools require immunization and physical records before they will accept a student.

• Complete any changes of address you may have postponed. This may mean sending notices to family and friends, magazines, professional or alumni associations, or any other group you belong to.

• File your closing papers where you can get to them easily at tax time. Your settlement papers are probably already together in an envelope or file; keep them with your other tax records for the next year.

• Change your driver's license and automobile registration. The state of Pennsylvania requires that you report any new address to PENNDOT within 15 days of moving. For non-commerical driver licenses, just complete Form DL-80 (available on-line or at the PA Driver Exam center in the East Way Plaza) and drop it in the mail. You will get a temporary card with your new information that you will need to carry with your license until you need to get a new one.

• Change your voter's registration. Go to the voter registrar's office. In PA, you can also register at the local state department of motor vehicles office where you get your driver's license and car registration.

• Start a log of repairs, remodeling, and major maintenance projects. It may seem premature, but it's a good habit to get into. File these plans for future reference.