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 Moving Tips
Regardless of when you plan to move, the challenges are the same. But, with a little planning, your next move can be smooth and painless. Planning is a word that cannot be uttered too many times when it comes to moving. For starters, go through your home and take an inventory of which items you want to keep and which items you would rather leave behind. If you have children, get them to do the same thing so they will become stakeholders in this sometimes-rigorous process. Record keeping is important for several reasons. If you write everything down, you have protected yourself in the event something gets left behind while moving or doesn’t survive the trip. In setting up your record keeping system, you need structure that deals with specifics.
For example, if the box contains dishes, don’t just write “dishes” on the box, write “fine china from Aunt Marge.” At least that way, you won’t have any doubts about what’s in the box when it arrives at your new destination. If you really want to get detailed, inventory each box with its own separate packing slip so there will be no doubting what’s in it. Speaking of boxes, you have a strategic decision to make. You will need to decide whether you and your family are going to pack the boxes yourselves or you will leave it to the moving company. You will gain a sense of security and control by doing the packing yourself and may also save a little money because moving companies typically charge extra if they pack for you. If you choose to pack yourself, make sure you have enough boxes. You will need boxes of all shapes and sizes that are durable and reliable. The last surprise you need is the bottom falling out of the box that is holding the fine china from Aunt Marge. You will need to have plenty of packing supplies to make sure your packing goes smoothly. Things you don’t normally buy, such as bubble wrap, packing tape, ermanent markers, unprinted newsprint and old blankets come in handy when packing and moving. Don’t overlook the need for wardrobe boxes either. These taller, slimmer boxes are perfect for bulky, lightweight items that seem hard to fit in elsewhere. They are also a must for sentimental items, such as prom dresses and wedding gowns. When you’re packing, make sure you don’t overstuff each box until they are too heavy to lift. No one needs to get injured during a move.
Take advantage of what you already own, such as your personal luggage and other travel bags. Fill them to their limit while marking them to ensure you know what they contain. And, last but not least, take precautions to secure your important papers, such as life insurance policies, investment records, your last will and testament, and your bills, during the move. Take similar steps to protect your valuable items, such as silverware, antiques and sentimental items such as family photos and keepsakes.
Once all of the packing is done, devise a labeling system that will aid the movers once the boxes arrive in your new home. A color
coding system or a system using stickers will aid in sorting through your belongings once you’ve arrived in your new house. You can put a matching sticker on the door in each room that matches the sticker on the box. That way, your movers won’t have any doubts about “where does this go?”
Make prior arrangements to activate all of your utilities, such as phone service, electricity, and cable television, in your new home. If you hit a snag in the moving process, have a contingency plan in place for an overnight stay. If you are moving with children and pets, there are a number of precautions to take into account as well. Depending on the age of both, a move can be unsettling. For your children, especially small kids, talk with them months in advance. That way they can get excited about the move and the new opportunities that lay ahead. For older kids, assign them specific duties they are to accomplish on moving day. Remember, they are stakeholders in this life-changing event. Make sure your child’s important records are also stored away in a place during your move, especially items needed for enrollment in new schools, such as birth certificates and medical, dental and school records.
Whether you’re making a cross-country or a cross-town move, make sure your pets are safe and sound and out of the fray moving can sometimes bring. If you’re moving a long distance or making an international move, your Realtor® can assist you in locating a pet moving company. When you arrive in your new home, consider giving the family a reward for helping make the move run smoothly. Maybe a new board game or outdoor game would divert their attention off any possible bad experience in the move and open your family up to a backyard celebration.
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