Whether you recently purchased a home or signed a lease, you’ve already made it past the hard part — finding a new home. But packing up and settling into your new place isn’t going to be a walk in the park if you’re unprepared.

While moving into a new home is exciting, it’s important to be ready for what can be a perfect storm of last-minute packing, your buddy’s truck breaking down, or hidden costs from a shady moving company.

It’s easy to put off planning your big move, so to help you make this process simple and stress-free, we reached out to the professionals for the best moving tips.

“People move an average of once every seven years, whereas a moving company does it every day. Hiring a professional moving company means giving the physical and mental heavy lifting to practiced hands. Professional moving companies know how to properly wrap furniture, how to handle tight stairwells and door frames, and how to properly pack a truck to save the most space and keep the furniture safe during transportation.

“Moving is one of the most stressful things we go through, and hiring a moving company will help ease that stress and it will also save you time, and time is money. Hiring a moving company is also important if you want to minimize effort, maximize efficiency, and move to a new home as seamlessly as possible.

“Renting a truck and recruiting friends is an option for small, local moves but certainly not ideal for long-distance moves, large moves, or family moves. If someone doesn’t have a lot of free time and is unable to move by themselves or with the help of some friends, hiring a moving company is an absolute must.” — Angela Gonzales of Unpakt

“1. Do your research. Take time to do your homework before hiring movers, and don’t be afraid to ask the questions you find most important. What does insurance coverage on your items look like? Are the movers background-checked and drug-tested? Come moving day, you’ll want to ensure you’re protected, and having the right movers can make all the difference.

“2. Book early! To guarantee you have professional movers on the day most convenient to you, we recommend booking two to four weeks in advance.

“3. Find out what your movers cannot move ahead of time. Federal laws ban moving companies from transporting any hazardous materials, including paint, ammunition, and propane, to name a few. This means items that contain gas, such as grills and lawn mowers, are also prohibited and must be moved by the customer. Other items may include food or living things such as plants. By asking ahead of time, you won’t be surprised come moving day.” — Jessy Herman of Two Men and a Truck

“The number one mistake is not being picky with your mover. That’s right. You have to research the company you are entrusting your belongings to. Check [their] license with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and reputation online as well. Do not sign incomplete paperwork and acquaint yourself with all accessorial charges [you] may incur upon delivery. For example, if movers cannot park near the entrance of your residence and have to carry belongings more than 75 feet, they will charge for that additionally.” — Manuela Irwin of The Moving Blog

“Moving families and individuals certainly changes the volume of belongings, so it’s even more important to work with a reputable mover that can ensure the safety of all items. Plus, adding children and pets into the mix means parents have even greater responsibility throughout the moving process. The last thing they’ll want to worry about is protecting their fragile belongings or treasured antiques.” — Jack Griffin, CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board at Atlas World Group Inc.

“1. Start packing as soon as you have your moving date to avoid the mad rush of last-minute packing. This will mitigate the risk of items being damaged or improperly sorted and labeled.

“2. Be prepared with an assortment of boxes, packing supplies, and packing tools. This will ensure everything has a proper place, and you won’t have to waste time and energy thinking about where it will go and how it will be moved.

“3. Make sure you’ve got some old boxes and bags to pack up those items you are purging so they can be swiftly lifted out and off to the secondhand store or recycling depot, or collected by a junk disposal service.

“4. Begin with your storage areas. Anything you haven’t used for a year and cannot guarantee you will need again, and items that have no sentimental value, should be the first to go.

“5. Move on to the rooms you will use infrequently prior to moving day. Box up the items to be transported to your new home, while focusing on “less is more” by setting aside those things you won’t need again.

“6. The last items you pack up prior to your move will be your everyday kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom belongings. Try to consider what may not suit your new home, or furnishings and household things you won’t have room for. These can be part of your purge.” — Anjee Gill of You Move Me

Oh, winter. You really do have a habit of showing up each year. But it’s not just those of us who deal with constantly brisk temperatures (think Fairbanks, AK, or Fargo, ND) who should consider winterizing their homes. Even those of us in warmer spots could stand to boost our home’s ability to withstand the cold.

Regardless of your location, cold temperatures and increased precipitation can bring about a whole host of problems, such as burst pipes, and sky-high utility bills — if you haven’t properly prepared for the season. Before the really harsh weather hits, take the following steps to protect your abode. Then you can relax by the fire with a warm beverage and enjoy the coziness of the colder months, worry-free.

They say there are four major stressors in life: getting married, facing the death of a loved one, preparing for a new baby, and buying a home. It makes sense that one of these major stressors is a financial transaction — buying a home often pairs emotions with money decisions, a potentially volatile concoction.

But when you’re buying a home for sale in San Diego, CA, or Miami, FL, as a solo effort, there are additional pressures and considerations to weigh before signing up for a 30-year mortgage. “People get so swept up in the romantic idea of buying a house that they forget all those niggling little responsibilities that come with it,” explains real estate investor Brian Davis.

But that doesn’t mean it’s not a worthwhile effort. After all, the home-buying process is as unique as the homebuyer — just ask Allison Mayer, who purchased a home for sale in Clinton, NJ (not far from New York, NY), by herself three years ago and has no regrets. “I had always had a goal to buy a place by the time I was 30 years old,” she says. “I was 33 or 34 when I bought my place. Better late than never!”

If you’ve ever paused while writing out your rent check to think about the equity you could be building if you were sending that cash to a mortgage lender instead of a landlord, you’re not alone. And in many cases, your mortgage payment is close to — or even less than — what you’re spending each month to rent. “I just was getting really aggravated with my rent money,” says Mayer. “My mortgage payment right now is quite comparable to what my rent was.”

Mayer took her time — almost three years — to save for a down payment, closing costs, and moving expenses. “Financially, it would be easier with a partner, but I can’t let that hold me back,” she says. Her patience really paid off. “The place that I bought was a short sale,” she says. “It was in an area I was really familiar with, near where I grew up. The money that I had saved was plenty for down payment, closing costs, and moving fees.”

A solo buyer doesn’t have the benefit of two incomes when it comes to qualifying for a mortgage. “A single woman may have a harder time qualifying than a married couple, since she is a sole earner, while a married couple may have two earners to raise their income,” explains Davis. “If the single woman has children, her expenses may be higher as well, which could affect her back-end income ratio.” But that’s not the full story.

New research from the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania shows that single female buyers actually have higher rates of being denied for mortgages than single male buyers, in spite of data showing that those women borrowers default less often than their male counterparts (when all credit characteristics are the same). Pro tip: Don’t skip loan comparison-shopping, even if the first lender you meet with is ready to qualify you for a loan.

From saving that down payment to wading through the often-complicated real estate process, becoming a homeowner requires effort and dedication. Getting it all done by yourself? That’s an even bigger accomplishment — and choosing a great real estate agent and team of professionals is key. “I did it by myself, on my own,” says Mayer. “I never reached out for help. Things just fell into place. I had a great real estate agent who referred me to a great mortgage company.”

If you’re used to renting close to where you work, like Mayer, you might find you’re priced out of that area when you decide to buy. Or you might decide that moving a bit farther out is worth the commute because you get more for your money in the suburbs. “[I have] a very long commute; it’s nearly an hour,” says Mayer. “To buy a one-bedroom condo [near work] was around $200,000. I bought a two-bed, two-bath for $120,000. You get so much more for your money, and taxes are more affordable out here.”

In the three years Mayer has lived in her condo, she has redone both bathrooms, from plumbing to tile. Her next big project will be a kitchen makeover. But first, she’s taking on a slightly smaller one that she hopes will pay off this winter: She’s planning to install digital thermostats to save on energy costs, and she’s headed to YouTube for tutorials so she can do it all herself.

Taking on the responsibility for upkeep and repairs can be intimidating for any new homeowner. “Homeownership requires ongoing savings and a cash cushion, because it comes with occasional large costs,” says Davis. “Tomorrow, it may be a $2,000 furnace replacement. Next year, it may be a $5,000 roof replacement. Unlike renting, where the landlord is on the hook for these occasional but large costs, the homeowner needs to be fiscally responsible enough to have strong saving habits.”

“I know as a homeowner, if something’s wrong, that’s on you,” says Mayer. But, she adds, “I can’t let that prohibit me from moving forward.”

Whether you’re looking in the suburbs or the city, the hunt for a great apartment can feel endless — especially when you want to keep your monthly costs down. We all know the feeling of falling for a fantastic place, only to have to scramble to do the mental math to figure out how to make the rent fit the budget. These incredible properties, however, require no such juggling. From apartments for rent in Fresno, CA, to Savannah, GA, these pads could cost less than your next tech upgrade, that is, if you’re looking at the coveted, fully loaded iPhone 7. That’s right — these apartments come in under $849 a month.

Looking for the perfect gift can feel like the quest for a perfect house. Each purchase, after all, is largely centered on matching one’s personality and hobbies. An outdoorsy type wouldn’t thrive in a super-industrial city loft that’s hours away from hiking trails, while a social butterfly would be miserable in a tiny home far off the grid.

With that in mind, we’re taking a look at houses from Dallas, TX, to Atlanta, GA, that are perfectly matched for a special someone. Whether it’s a property that boasts a greenhouse for year-round gardening or a custom kitchen fit for budding chefs, these properties include thoughtful features that would thrill anyone on Santa’s “nice” list.

For the die-hard sports fan: $389,000, 304 Presidential Blvd., Hodgenville, KY 42748

If you ever wished your TV cable package offered only sports channels, this custom-built 4,000-square-foot home is your happy place. Why? The six-bedroom, four-bath home offers plenty of living space. But this unassuming home also includes the ultimate man cave, featuring a full-size wet bar with a flat-screen television at the optimal viewing angle. It’s like having your own private pub (where everybody will definitely know your name). Cheers!

For the gardener: $525,000, 1611 Griffith Point Road, Nordland, WA 98358

Cultivating your green thumb is a breeze at this picturesque two-bedroom, two-bath home. Nestled on the bank of a peaceful bay, the property includes multiple gardens and a greenhouse that extends the planting season to year-round. The verdant view can also be enjoyed from the private deck that’s just off the master bedroom.

For the artist: $379,500, 4531 Capitol Ave., Dallas, TX 75204

Getting in touch with your creative side is as easy as walking to your own 1,000-square-foot art studio for pottery, painting, or even yoga practice. This inspiring bonus space complements the overall artsy feel of the three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home. Whimsical color choices, distinctive mosaics, and fun hand-painted details give this property plenty of character.

For the kid at heart: $849,900, 8321 Stoney Creek Drive, South Lyon, MI 48178

A family would never, ever be bored in this spacious four-bedroom suburban home, which was built with fun in mind. Kids will love the playroom that includes a built-in playhouse complete with chalkboard walls, but everyone can enjoy the awesome theater and the arcade room. Need a more grown-up time out? Head to the basement bar or go to your own boat slip at nearby Hidden Lake Marina.

For the wine connoisseur: $495,000, 1637 Sable Drive, Roseburg, OR 97470

If you’re the type who knows how to pair a wine with any meal (including pizza), you’ll fall in love with this 8.2-acre property that comes with the ultimate oenophile amenity: an on-site hobby vineyard featuring nebbiolo, sangiovese, and pinot noir grapes. The four-bedroom, two-bath home is built for entertaining, with features like multiple decks, an open kitchen, and a cozy wood stove.

For the outdoors-obsessed: $846,000, 31 Abbey Road, Moab, UT 84532

Surrounded by native gardens, trees, shrubs, and grasses, this two-bedroom, two-bathroom home is a peaceful, sustainable sanctuary in a truly amazing location between the desert and the mountains. The backyard functions as a soundscape, delivering the soothing sounds of nearby Pack Creek to the northern patios. If you need to clear your mind, simply head to the nature trail that leads away from the home for a private retreat.

For the bookworm: $899,000, 1540 Powell Road, Powell, OH 43065

For those whose ideal escape is found in the pages of a great novel comes this stately all-brick Georgian home. Inside, you’ll find a two-story library (complete with ladder!) that is ready to house your collection. The interior is modern yet intimate, thanks to classic architectural details, handsome wood floors, and a reading nook under a spiral staircase. When the weather turns warm, choose your own refreshing setting for relaxing with a good book from the more than 5 acres of property.

Your culinary creations will rival those of your favorite restaurant thanks to the well-appointed kitchen in this six-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bath home. Double ovens, a six-eye range with pot filler, warming drawer, and top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances give you a professional advantage. Hosting a holiday dinner party? No problem.