Make Moving Easy

For most homeowners, making the decision to move often comes from growing your family and needing a larger home, relocating cross-country for work or even downsizing for retirement. The excitement of moving to a new destination is often overshadowed with the Moving Day Blues. Moving is stressful, there are a lot of details to coordinate and boxes to pack often dimming the excitement! Fortunately, there are a few tips and tricks to make moving a little easier.

Purge before you pack... 

One of the easiest ways to declutter before the packing even begins is to take the time to go through items in your closet, totes stored in the basement and your junk drawer (it's ok, everyone has one). My rule of thumb, if you have not worn or used the item within the last year, do you really need it? Chances are you may have forgotten all about it until you found it packing. By purging old clothes, decor and toys you will cut down on the number of things to pack and the total cost. to move extra clutter. The best way to get rid of items still in good condition is by having a garage sale, posting the items on facebook or donate them to Goodwill or another foundation. Ratty clothes and broken toys on the other hand should go in the trash.

Room by Room

After you purged and your ready to start packing your belongings, it is time to pack by room. Think of the unpacking process, do we want disorganized piles of items throughout your new home... no I definitely don't! Avoid this headache by consciously packing one room at a time so when you are ready to unpack, your clothes are ready to go in the closet and your dishes are organized for the cupboard.

Label Your Boxes

Labeled boxes makes the moving process so much easier. Keep a marker handy to label the boxes with things like what's inside the box to where the box should go once it arrives at its destination.

Half filled boxes to overfilling boxes.

For the boxes you only fill halfway because they would be too heavy full, keep crumpled packing paper or newspaper to fill the dead space. Half filled boxes leave extra space for items to jostle around or the box to be crushed under the weight of other boxes. Packing peanuts and space fillers like crumpled paper reduce the chances of damage in transit.

Save your friends you bribed with beer or the movers you hired from the pain and potential injury of overfilled boxes. Keep your boxes from getting too heavy by occasionally lifting your box as you pack. Do not feel the need to pack every box to the top, fill the rest of the box with packing paper or light weight items. You may have more boxes to move but you will save the hassle of carrying overweight boxes.

Moving Furniture

Large items like furniture may seem like a stable piece of furniture that is safe from major damage but anything can happen in a moving truck. To protect your dining room table, couch, shelves and other furniture consider wrapping them in blankets/moving blankets. This will bring precaution to prevent scratching and paint rubbing off. (Check your local Lowe's or Home Depot for moving blankets)

Loading your moving truck

When you pack, always keep in mind of unpacking. Sometimes we can be in a rush to pack everything up we often spend more time unpacking and organizing all your items. The best way to stay organized is to know what boxes you want to unpack first. The boxes you need first should be the last items to go in your moving truck or storage container and should be clearly labeled. This may include cleaning supplies, a change of clothes, portable speaker to make unpacking more enjoyable or kids items they may need once you arrive at your new destination. Irreplaceable items like family heirlooms, key documents and medication should not be put in a moving truck or storage container. Keep personal and irreplaceable items with you during the moving process, unfortunately insurance can't cover items that are irreplaceable.

When to schedule my movers

A last minute call to movers can often mean higher prices and unavailability. A rule of thumb is to contact movers at least four-six weeks ahead of time with advance notice of your ideal move date. When reaching out to moving companies, do not be scared to contact more than one. Reach out to at least three moving companies for an estimate. Be sure to inquire about availability, insurance coverage and key details affecting your move. While lower pricing is appealing, make sure you hire a company you trust with your belongings.

Moving in the off-season

No one loves moving when the temperature is below 50 degrees and chilly, but it can often be the best time to move. Summer months when kids are out of school tend to be the time people move from one house to another. While this may be ideal, it often means higher demand for movers and higher fees. If time allows you, consider moving in the off-season for less competition.

Don't forget your utilities 

Make moving easier and contact your utility companies ahead of time with a scheduled turn on dates. Check with your real estate agent in advance for services required like gas, electric, water, internet and other services you may need.

Don't forget your mail

Changing your address can be simple and easy, do not forget to file a change of address form with the US Postal Service to forward any mail you receive at your old home. This will make it easy to spot any companies you forgot to update your address with, like your bank or other important accounts, often mailed with a yellow USPS sticker showing the mail was forwarded from your old address.

A buffer day for cleaning

When leaving a house for new owners to move in, your space is expected to be relatively clean once you're gone. Save a buffer day for cleaning, even with regular cleaning, you're likely to find plenty of dust bunnies and missed spots when you move furniture. The buffer day, gives you a chance to come back to the now-empty space to vacuum, sweep floors and wipe down countertops one last time.

Moving Tips To Make Life Easier

Whether this is your first time moving or your 10th, there are always new tips and tricks to making your move a little more smooth each time. While we are so concentrated on getting everything packed in a timely manner, we often forget about the little steps we can take to save ourselves time, money, and even a little bit of sanity. Here are 8 tips to make your move, and your life, a little easier.

1. Wrap your breakables in clean clothing

Instead of spending extra money on bubble wrap, use clothing that you will need to pack anyway. You'll save space and it is the most eco-friendly option!

2. Be specific with your labels

Instead of just writing what room the box will go in, make a brief list of the items in each box on the outside. This way, you will know exactly where every box should go - and so will anyone helping you move in!

3. Prep the bathroom and kitchen

If you have the time and are able to enter the house before your big move, take the time to prep your bathroom and kitchen. Fill the fridge and bring towels and a shower curtain for the bathroom. This way, you won't be scrambling after you move in and desperately want a shower, and you won't waste money on take-out for the first few days in your new home.

4. Get cotton pads/balls for your makeup

If you've ever dealt with the heartache of opening a shattered powder cosmetic item, this tip is for you. Placing a cotton ball/pad helps to prevent your favorite blush or bronzer from covering the entire inside of your packed bathroom box and everything inside of it! 

5. Add an extra layer of protection to your toiletries

It is never fun to open a box and find everything covered in lotion or shampoo. Take off the lids of all of your toiletries and cover any openings with saran wrap and then replace the lid. This will provide a nice seal to prevent any spills.

6. Use Press'n Seal outside of the kitchen

Instead of having to box up your dresser drawers or your jewelry display, keep your Press'n Seal unpacked. Place sheets above your clothing drawers or wrap it around your jewelry display to keep your items in place - and save time packing and unpacking them.

7. Keep a box of small sandwich bags by your side while packing

When you need to take something apart, there may be screws or nails or clips left once everything is disassembled. Use small bags that are easily labelled to place those items so they won't get lost and you will know exactly where they are when it is time to put everything back together!

8. Take photos of everything you need to take apart

Whether it is the way wires go into your television, or the way a certain piece of furniture connects, taking photos as you go will make reassembly that much easier. Who wants to helplessly fumble with wires after they've spent all day unpacking? Save your time and sanity and take the photos!