There's no greater adventure than moving into your first house. It's inevitable that certain details may be overlooked when there are so many things to take care of. It's normal; in fact, it's frequent among first-time homeowners. 

Here are the five best pieces of advise given to us by top realtors in Fort Lauderdale when we asked them for their thoughts on what new homeowners should know.

Pack ASAP

If you're already feeling anxious and stressed, don't add more stress to the situation by waiting until the last minute to pack. If you start packing at least a month before you have to move, you won't have to worry about the stress of packing last minute. If you wait until the last minute to pack, you will almost certainly make some careless mistakes. For example, you might not properly organize your stuff, you might not wrap breakable items as securely as they should be, and so on. 

We suggest kicking the packing frenzy off by packing closets and areas that aren't used very often. Clothes, toiletries, cooking materials, and other items that are constantly used should be the final items to be packed. A moving checklist can be extremely useful because it can give you an idea of what still has to be done and when.

Reduce Your Belongings

If you want to reduce the amount of stuff you need to pack while gaining a little extra money, consider selling the stuff that you don't absolutely need. For example, if there's a large part of your wardrobe that you haven't worn in ages, it's time to sell or donate them. For the rest of the stuff that doesn't sell, you might want to consider donating them to your local Goodwill or other charity so that the stuff doesn't get thrown out.

Notify Businesses of Your New Address

Before moving to Fort Lauderdale, make sure you notified your local post office of your intent to move about a week or two before you are set to move. This will give them time to update their files, but it'll also give you some time to change your address with other businesses (credit cards or banks) and government entities (the DMV, voter registration, etc.).

Address the Utilities at Your New Address

If you don't want a lapse in your utilities, you might be able to have them transferred to your new address. If you're moving from out of state, your agent might be able to help you get the necessary services installed in your home. 

But remember, if you receive your bill through the mail, you should make sure that your last utility bill from your previous address is forwarded to your new one!

Be Mindful During the Final Walkthrough

Before the purchase is finalized, you'll have another opportunity to inspect your prospective new home. This is a step that you don't want to overlook because it could save you from making a bad purchase. 

During this last inspection, you should make sure that the space looks as it should and that everything works as it should. You need to confirm that the seller fulfilled their end of the bargain if they agreed to include the appliances or if they'd make certain repairs before closing. If they didn't, you could back out of the deal.