Quick Tips to Make Moving into a New Home a Breeze
While your house hunt may be complete and the loan process is coming to a close, there is still more work to be done! Read on for some helpful tips that can save you time and stress as you prepare for your big move.
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a veteran homeowner, buying a new house is an exciting time. Now that you’ve walked the road to home ownership and signed on the dotted line, you’re ready for the final step—moving.
Whether you’re moving across the country, across state lines or across town, relocating to a new home is an exciting (yet stressful), endeavor. An efficient move requires careful planning, preparation and some time to get organized.
Here are some tips on how to make your relocation a seamless and stress-free experience.
Start by planning ahead.
You’re officially a homeowner! It’s time to get organized and get packing. Start by boxing up items that you know you will not need immediately and neatly sorting your boxes so as not to disrupt your everyday routine. It’s best to start packing up the rooms you use the least, like the guest bedroom or dining room.
If you are planning to hire professional movers, do your research and call at least a month in advance to schedule a moving day. A moving company can often make or break your entire moving experience, so just like choosing the right mortgage lender, it’s important to find a moving company that’s the best fit for you.
Planning ahead will give you time to pack up boxes without stress so everything is prepared to be picked up and transported. Preparation is key to making moving day as smooth as possible.
Donate, sell or toss what you don’t need.
While packing and sorting through your belongings, take an honest look at what you own. Do you really need those jeans or that coat you haven’t worn in two years? What about your extra dishware, bedding or house clutter? Could any of it be donated? Sold? Or put in the trash?
Local shelters and charities are often in need of donated items, so reach out and see if anything you own could benefit others. If you have items you’d rather not keep that aren’t fit to donate, toss them.
While going through everything, you’ll probably find a few items that you no longer want but would love a little money for. If that’s the case, set those items aside and determine where you can sell them.
Overall, just remember that less is more. The more you discard before you move, the more money and time you’ll save yourself when moving.
Pick the right boxes and label everything.
Packing heavier items like books in small or medium-sized boxes may make them easier to carry. Using boxes specifically designed to hold plates and glassware can help protect fragile items. If you’re looking to cut down on costs and make transporting fragile items like electronics easier, make sure to check the attic and garage to see if you’ve stashed any original boxes there.
Label everything! Whether you create your own color-coded system or simply write out notes on your packing boxes, labeling your items can help you remain organized and let your movers know exactly where to put items in your new house.
Start by labeling each box by the room that it should go in. Next, write a list of the items in that box directly on the outside of the box. This will this save you time as you unpack and prevent you from losing or misplacing items.
Relax.
Moving can be a stressful time, so try to relax. If you find yourself frustrated or overwhelmed, step away for a moment. Though there may be things that go wrong, or you may fall behind schedule, appropriate planning will ensure a seamless transition into your dream home.
