10Pro Tips for a Smooth Home Move
The process ofbuying a new home can be both exhilarating and exhausting. But thejourney doesn’t stop when you close on your property. On thecontrary, you still have quite a bit to do before you can begin theprocess of settling into your new place.
Fortunately, youdon’t have to do everything in a day. You don’t have to do it allalone, either. When you work with us to sell or purchase a home,you’ll have an ally by your side long after your transaction hasclosed. We’ll continue to be a resource, offering advice andreferrals whenever you need them on packing, hiring movers andcontractors, and acclimating to your new home and neighborhood.
When it comes toa life event as stressful as moving, it pays to have a professionalby your side. Here are some of our favorite pro tips to share withclients as they prepare for an upcoming move.
1. Watch outfor moving scams.
Maybe you receivea flyer for a moving company in the mail. Perhaps you find a moveronline. Either way, never assume that you’re getting accurateinformation. According to the Better Business Bureau, moving-relatedfraud is on the rise. In 2021 alone, individuals and familiesreported more than $730,000 lost to moving scams, an increase of 216%over the previous year.1
How can you tellif a moving deal is too good to be true? Trust your instincts. If theprice appears too low or you can’t pin down the mover’s physicalbusiness address, try someone else. The same goes for any movingcompany representative who dodges questions. Reputable movers shouldoffer transparent pricing, conduct in-home estimates, and providereferrals and copies of their insurance documents upon request.2For help finding trustworthy movers, reach out. We’d be happy toshare our recommendations.
2. Insure yourbelongings.
Your movingcompany promises to take care of your custom piano or your antiquefurniture. But don’t just take their word for it. Ask to see howmuch insurance they carry and talk about how the claims processworks. That way, you’ll know what is (and isn’t) covered in caseof loss or damage.
Of course, someitems are priceless because they’re irreplaceable. You might wantto move your more sensitive valuables (jewelry, documents, familyheirlooms, etc.) in your own vehicle just to be safe. For added peaceof mind, call your rental or home insurance provider if you’removing anything yourself. You might already be protected or be ableto purchase extra insurance to cover your move. If those options areunavailable, you could opt for moving insurance from a third-partycarrier.3
3. Startpacking when you start looking for a new home.
As soon as yourhouse hunting begins in earnest, think about packing away things youwon’t need for the next few months. These could include seasonal orholiday decor, clothing, and books. Tackling just one or two boxes aday will give you a head start.
If you’re goingto put your current home on the market, you’ll want to declutteranyway. Decluttering will make your home seem larger, anddepersonalizing helps buyers envision their own items in the space.Consider selling, donating, or throwing out possessions you no longerneed. The things you want to keep can be placed in storage until youofficially start moving to a new place.
4. Pack tomake unpacking easier.
Have you everopened a packed box only to find that it’s filled with anassortment of items that don’t belong together? This isn’tefficient and will only make unpacking harder. A better way to packis to bundle items from a single room in a labeled box. Labels canlet movers know (and remind you) where to place each box, whetherit’s fragile, and which side needs to be up. Some people like toassign colors to each room in their new home to make distributingcolor-coded boxes a breeze.
Feel free tounleash your inner organizer with this project. For example, youcould create a spreadsheet and assign each box a number. As boxes arepacked, simply fill in the spreadsheet with a list of contents.Anyone with access to the spreadsheet can log in and quickly find thedesired item.
5. Thinkoutside the box when transporting clothes.
Who wants toworry about boxing up clothes? If you plan on hiring professionalmovers, ask if you can leave clothing in your dressers. In manycases, they will use plastic to wrap the dresser so the drawers don’tfall out during transport. If keeping your clothes in your furnituremakes it too heavy, the movers might be able to wrap and move drawersby themselves.
Another easytransport trick involves turning clean garbage bags into garmentbags. Poke a hole in the bottom of a garbage bag, turn the bag upsidedown, slide it over five to seven garments on hangers, and lay theitems flat in the back seat or trunk of your vehicle. The bags willhelp prevent wrinkling, and your clothes will be ready to hang upwhen you get to your new home.
6. Documentprior to disassembling appliances and furnishings.
Few things are asconfusing as looking at a plastic baggie filled with nuts, bolts, andscrews from your disassembled dining room table or sorting through abox of electrical wires and cords to see which ones fit your TV.
The bestworkaround to easier reassembly is to document the disassemblyprocess. Take photos and videos or thorough notes as you go. Whetherit’s your headboard or treadmill, be very precise. And just a tip:Construct your beds first when you get to your new home. After a longmoving day, the very last thing you want is to be assembling bedsinto the wee hours of the morning.
7. Prioritizeunpacking kids’ rooms.
Children canbecome very stressed by a big move. To ease their transition,consider prioritizing unpacking their rooms as their “safe zones.”4You aren’t obligated to unpack everything, certainly. However, setup your children’s rooms to be functional. That way, your kids canhang out in a private oasis away from the chaos while you’rerunning around and moving everything else.
Depending uponhow old your youngsters are, you might want to give them decoratingleeway, too. Even if it’s just letting them choose where furnituregoes, it gives them a sense of buy-in. This can help ease the bluesof leaving a former home they loved.
8. Be athoughtful pet parent.
Many types ofpets can’t handle the commotion of moving day. Knowing this, beconsiderate and seek ways to give your pets breaks from the action.You might ask a friend to pet sit your pooch or keep your kitty in aquieter room, like a guest bathroom.
Be sure to checkin on your pet frequently. Pets like to know that you’re around.Give them treats, food, and water throughout the day. When it’stime to transport your pet, do it calmly. At your new property, giveyour pet access to just a room or two at first. Pets typically preferto acclimate themselves slowly to unfamiliar environments.5
9. Plan foryour move like you’re planning for an exciting vacation.
When you planvacations, you probably look up local restaurants, shops, andrecreational areas. Who says you can’t do the same thing whenmoving? Create a list of all the places you want to go and things youwant to do around your newly purchased home. Having a to-explore listkeeps everyone’s spirits high and gives you starting points tosettle into the neighborhood.
And don’t feelthat you have to cook that first night. Once the moving trucks aregone, you can always pop over to a local eatery or order DoorDash formajor convenience. The first meal in your new home should be a happy,welcoming treat. And if you’re relocating to our neck of the woods,we would love to introduce you to all the hot spots in town andrecommend our local favorites.
10. Pack an“Open Me First!” box.
You won’t beable to unpack all your boxes in one day, but you shouldn’t gowithout your sheets, pillows, or toothbrush. Designate some boxeswith “Open Me First!” labels. (Pro tip: Keep a tool kit front andcenter for all that reassembling.)
Along theselines, use luggage and duffel bags to transport everyone’s personalmust-have items and enough clothing for a couple of days. That way,you won’t have to rummage through everything in the middle of yourmove looking for sneakers or snacks.
When packing your“Open Me First!” boxes, think about which items you’ll need inthose first 24 hours. For example, toilet paper and hand soap aremusts. A box cutter will make unpacking a lot easier, and papertowels and trash bags are sure to come in handy. Reach out for acomplete, printable list of “Open Me First!” box essentials tokeep on hand for your next move!
LET’S GETMOVING
Getting the phonecall from your real estate agent that your bid was accepted is athrilling moment. Make sure you keep the positivity flowing duringthe following weeks by mapping out a streamlined, efficient move.Feel free to get in touch with us today to help make your big moveyour best move.
Sources:
BetterBusiness Bureau –https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/24198-bbb-scam-alert-avoid-moving-scams-this-national-moving-mont
Move.org-
https://www.move.org/how-to-tell-moving-company-scam/Forbes-
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/homeowners-insurance/moving-insurance/NewYork Times –
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/13/parenting/moving-tips-kids.htmlASPCA-
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/moving-your-pet
