Learn a few tricks to make moving easier and less stressful for you and your family.
Congratulations - you found the home of your dreams. Now what? Although becoming a homeowner is exciting, moving can be one of the most stressful and taxing times of your life. Packing up your life and moving across town (or the country) is demanding on many levels. Following some simple tips will make your move easier on you and your sanity.
Organize Your Home
It is time to start drudging through the attic, basement, and garage. Look through boxes you may have stored there since your last move. If the contents in those boxes are not important (and chances are they aren't) sell them in a garage sale or an online auction, donate them, or throw them out. Also look through items you have not used in the last six months. Ask yourself the question, "Do I NEED this? Will it alter my life if I do not have it in my attic in the next home?" Keeping this question as your focus will undoubtedly make sorting through "treasured memories" easier. You can use this same question as you go through items in your living space as well. There are only so many coffee mugs one should keep, even if Aunt Mildred did give it to you.
Organize Your Life
It is also time to organize items outside of your home. Discuss costs with moving companies, transferring your children's school records to their new school, looking into home owner's insurance (don't cancel your current insurance until after you close on your current home), ordering any stationary or checks, and transferring any prescriptions to a new drug store. Competent real estate agents, as well as online articles, often list the things you need to do and when. Inquire with your agent about checklists they may offer.
Now What?
Now that you are organized, what do you do with things you decided not to keep? There are a few intelligent options. One option is to have a garage sale, and invite neighbors to do the same, on the same day. There is a better chance of attracting people to your garage sale if there are other people on the street having a garage sale the same day. Buyers will peruse through the neighborhood, look through your items, as well as the neighbors, hoping to find things they will eventually put in their attic, too (but at least it isn't yours).
You can also sell more attractive and desirable items with online auctions. Many times, you make out much better financially. Buyers bid against each other in hopes of winning the item, raising your profit. No haggling hassles for you. A word of caution though: items usually need to be shipped, so be weary of selling the rocking chair - shipping costs and logistics can end up eating your profit.
Perhaps you are short on time. Donating toys and household goods is also a very desirable and worthy way to free you of clutter. Gently used clothing, dishes, radios - even computers that could be used again are generally accepted by national non-profit organizations, as well as local non-profit agencies. Be sure to call ahead and see who will take what. If you find yourself able to donate large items, such as dressers, desks, or couches, certain organizations will come right to your door and take the items away for you. You may even be able to donate smaller items at that time as well, all in the name of charity and tax deduction.
Time to Move
Now that you are organized, you need to start packing all of your belongings. Be sure to beg and scout for boxes and newspapers. Grocery stores, department stores, family, and friends may all have boxes and/or newspapers to donate to you. You may even find some at work, depending on your profession. A helpful tip when looking for boxes: inquire with family and friends about anyone who has just moved and is desperate to get rid of boxes. By using their leftover boxes, you can get them out of their hair and start your job of packing them.
Now for packing. Start packing items you know you won't need for a while (three to six months). Novels, scrapbooks, childhood memories can all be rummaged through once you are settled in and you find the time. Once all non- essential items are packed, find a place to start storing these boxes. Perhaps a new corner in the attic or basement will do until moving day. Be sure to label them according to what room they should be placed in when you arrive at the new house. You may want to indicate which side should stay up for more fragile or precious items. Write it on the top of the box as well as on one side. Another tip, although a bit more time consuming, is to write what the main items in the box are. That way once you are in the new house, you can decide which boxes need to be opened right away and which can stay for a week or two.
Moving day is now quickly approaching and you need to start packing more everyday items away. Start with the walls. Take down pictures and decorations. Keep working your way around the house, packing away items that are not used everyday. Dining rooms, family rooms, playrooms, and offices are good places to start. Now is also the time to start finishing up what you have in your cupboards and freezer. They may not be the most appetizing combinations, but it saves money (which you will need for all of the little surprises at your new home) and space. If you do not finish all non-perishable items you have stored away, you may wish to pack them into boxes and place in a dry place. Avoid packing these items into places such as the attic, basement or garage.
You are now a week away from moving. Begin to pack everything, except for a weeks worth of clothing, kitchen necessities, and bathroom essentials. You may also want to consider eating strictly on paper plates, cups, and plastic utensils. Eating out, at a neighbor's, a friend's, or a family member's house is even better, if possible. If you must cook at home, only store one or two pans, paper towels, and a few utensils. You can then pack all of these items together in a box. Use this box as your kitchen start-up set in your new home until you are able to unpack all remaining gizmos and gadgets.
By now it is moving day. Direct movers, professional or family members, as to what needs to be moved where and when. After the house is cleared out is a great time to clean the house as well as check it over one last time. Be sure that you have not packed a few cleansers, a mop, a broom, garbage bags, paper towels, and a bucket. You may need all of these items to clean up your house after the movers have left. Once finished, take a peek in closets, cupboards, and attic spaces one last time. Now, off to your new home to enjoy the pleasures of un-packing!
