What are some tips for a stress-free move?
First off, thanks for reading this blog article – What are some tips for a stress-free move? We hope you find it informative and helpful. So therefore long before your moving day – finding and buying your dream home can be a long process. The last thing you want after all your time spent searching for homes and finding that dream home you always wanted is to have everything go wrong on moving day.
Moving can be stressful, but don’t worry Discom Realty is here and ready to offer some help and guidance during the process of moving. We want you to be happy in your new forever home – so moving doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are eight tips we have found to be very helpful for your moving day to make it stress-free.
1. Hire Professional Movers – When hiring any professional, it is always recommended to get 3-4 bids/cost estimates.
We recommend being sure to provide each company the same information about the move. This way you can be certain that you will receive apples-to-apples bids. Also, it might be wise to request the movers visit your home to ensure accuracy.
When you meet with each moving company that you are getting bids from – be certain to ask them about their insurance policy. You want a company that is licensed, bonded, and insured. Just in case, some of the items were to break, receive minor damage, or get stolen by one of the moving company’s employees.
It is always smart to check for reviews and ratings on sites like Yelp, Google My Business, and BBB – the Better Business Bureau. You can always ask us who we have used in the past for our other valued homebuyers. Plus, ask your friends, family, and co-workers for recommendations too.
Don’t wait until the last minute to start the bidding process and book your movers (4-6 weeks before the move). Also, we suggest that you do not schedule your move for the last possible day in case there are any unexpected delays and to allow time for cleaning.
Consider whether or not you plan to tip the moving team handling the move for you and if so, have the necessary cash ready.
For information regarding all things real estate, check out our website for listings or read our other blog articles at discomrealty.com. If there is a question you think a certified Realtor needs to answer for you, just let us know! If you would like information about buying, selling, or investing in real estate – call, text, or email anytime. We are always here to help.
2. Organize & Purge – The more you can organize and purge unwanted items before you move, the easier it will be.
Call or check websites of local charities that will pick up donations of anything that can be reused. Plus, you can deliver items to Goodwill, Habitat For Humanity, and the Salvation Army just to name a few. Either way, decluttering before a move is essential.
Consider having a yard sale and promote it on Craigslist and Facebook in one of your local groups in town. You can also try a neighborhood yard sale. In some cases, a local church group may be a good place to give items away. Once again, if want to try to sell unwanted items – try OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, or similar sites or apps.
Properly dispose of environmentally sensitive items/ Household Hazardous Waste prior to moving day such as but not limited to: electronics and old paint cans. Here is a link to the EPA – United States Environmental Protection Agency for more info. If you have something on the EPA’s list use Google or your favorite search engine browser to find local places near you that can take it for proper disposal. You may be pleasantly surprised to find many free options.
3. Pack Smart – Here are some packing tips that will help you in the weeks before and after your move while you are packing, unpacking, and settling into your new home.
Consider packing items by the order of importance. Pack items you need least first and items you will need most before and after your move last.
Pack Smart – label boxes clearly with color-coded stickers by room and also note the contents of each box on more than one side. Remember, to label boxes clearly with color-coded stickers by room. This will help the movers put boxes in the rooms where they should belong.
Again you may want to also add a note of the contents of each box on more than one side. Put stars or special markings on the boxes you know you will be likely to need first. We recommend using a big red marker because red is an easy-to-see color.
If you have suitcases, we recommend that you use your suitcases to pack like you are taking a 2-week vacation. Load up your suitcases with your toiletries, medicine, and clothing handy and easily accessible. Be sure to include bedding and towels.
Don’t send your special valuables and important documents in the moving truck. Put your passports, jewelry, and other valuables in a special box or suitcase and transport them in your own car.
Buy and use sturdy garbage bags for blankets, towels, sweaters, coats, pillows, and other items that are soft & light. You can re-use the garbage bags for garbage later. Some U-Haul Moving stores have boxes made for hanging up your clothes. This is helpful to ensure your jackets, shirts, dresses don’t get wrinkled during the move.
If you haven’t hired professional movers and are doing it yourself or with friends, keep blankets and other padding materials handy to protect the furniture in the moving truck.
For a short-distance move, consider moving clothing on hangers in your own car, so they can remain on the hangers. Remember, if it is a short home move, you may be able to get free boxes and packing materials from several sources such as Facebook Groups or on the Nextdoor website.
Be careful to not overpack your boxes – the weight of boxes can easily become hard to pick up. Use small boxes for books, paper, and other heavy items. While the movers can likely handle heavy boxes, don’t forget you will likely be unstacking and moving things around while you unpack.
Start packing early so you have plenty of time. Keep essential tools and cleaning supplies handy for the new and old home. Here is a quick list of some things you should have on hand:
- paper plates,
- utensils,
- cups,
- pet food & dishes,
- shower curtain liner,
- light bulbs,
- batteries,
- broom/dustpan,
- dish soap,
- hand soap,
- toilet paper,
- paper towels,
- rags/handtowels,
- hammer,
- screwdrivers,
- a wrench,
- and some bottled water
Before departing your old place, double-check every drawer, cabinet, and storage space to make sure nothing is missed and/or left behind.
4. Change Your Critical Information
- USPS Change of Address can take up to 2 weeks to be effective. Fill out a hardcopy or change online.
- Update your Driver’s license (online)
- Insurance – make sure you are insured for both homes if there is an overlap. This is important whether you are a renter or homeowner!
- Login to your billing accounts and update them or prepare to turn them off. These would include utilities, cable/dish TV, internet, banks, subscriptions, associations, and so on. You need to make a list and keep it with your records for your next move.
- You may want to contact the utilities, internet, phone, and cable/dish TV at least 2 weeks before to make sure the timing will be right for your move.
- Put any food delivery on hold for a bit to eat what’s in your fridge, freezer, and cupboards to minimize things to move.
- Remember to share your new address with friends and family.
5. Hire Professional Cleaners & Landscapers
Hire a professional cleaner to deep clean your new place before your move-in date. This will make your new house look and feel really new. We recommend doing a move-out cleaning of your old house to get your rent deposit back or to make your place easier to sell if it is not already sold.
Hire a landscaper to spruce up the landscaping. Everything else about the move can be enough – if you can afford it, do yourself a favor and hire this workout! As always, get bids and clearly communicate your expectations and price max.
6. Make a plan for kids & pets
Reduce your pet’s moving stress by boarding them at a kennel, overnight with family, or with friends. Consider organizing a playdate or have friends/family watch small children.
If your house is close by – have your pet or child walk around the neighborhood to see it first hand. There are a lot of ways to make your pets and children feel more comfortable about the moving experience.
7. Plan to be there on moving day
By planning on being at your old house – you can answer any questions the movers have and direct the movers accordingly. But, try to stay out of the mover’s way whenever possible and let them do their thing. We recommend working and talking to the lead mover to ensure everything gets done to your liking and in a timely manner.
If you plan on staying in the home for the entire move-out process, we recommend keeping a folding chair or foldable lawn chair with you. Also, bring a bag with water, snacks, charging cables for your phone, and anything else you may need to be comfortable.
Give the movers a visual map showing them where to place furniture in each room in your new house. Label the rooms with the name & color coding so the movers know where to put the items. Consider lining up friends or family to help you get settled and unpack after the movers are done unloading the moving truck.
The movers will probably not be able to remove their shoes. Protect your floors by using a welcome mat outside, use cardboard, cloth, or plastic to cover the main walking areas.
8. Don’t forget to plan for safety in the new home.
Here are few simple ideas to keep your family and yourself safe in your new home. Change locks! When you take ownership of the home, call a locksmith and change the locks around the home. If renting, make sure to ask the landlord if they have changed the locks.
Also, take time to make sure you have some curtains, blinds, or window coverings on the windows. This will help you keep people from randomly looking into your home to see what you have. Also, if you want to change clothing – having the blinds down or the curtains drawn is a good idea too.
Thanks for reading the “What are some tips for a stress-free move?” blog article!
Thanks for reading Discom Realty’s tips and thoughts about the real estate moving day when you are buying that dream home you always wanted.
This blog article simply is here to help answer that question – What are some tips for a stress-free move? If you need more help with this topic – give us a call and speak with someone on our real estate team today. Thanks again for reading this blog article!