Getting Organized for the Big Move
Love Selling Your Home – Week 10: This is the tenth article in the series, Love Selling Your Home: Minimize Your Stress, Maximize Your Profit, a step-by-step guide to getting organized when selling your home. This series takes you through the entire home-selling process – from finding a real estate agent to closing day.
You’ve got mixed feelings about moving right now — excited to make new memories in a new home but somewhat sad to be leaving your old home. No matter what, you’ve got to get organized and focused for your big move and all the details it entails.
Here are some ways to help you NOT feel overwhelmed leading up to your move (and your closing day). Doing some preparation months or weeks ahead can make a huge difference in the final days, so keep that in mind when you first list your home.
Find an Organization System That Works for You
Whether you create an “old-school” binder or find an online app that can keep you on track, take the time to stick to a system and use it. It can be a great way to stay organized and have all your information in one spot. Keep your estimates, receipts, checklists, phone numbers, and even an inventory of items being moved. This can relieve a lot of stress during the entire process.
Go Through Every Room to Sort and Purge
Basically, don’t move things that you don’t use or want anymore! Moving should force you to throw things out or donate or recycle. However, you really should make some headway on this BEFORE you put your home on the market. A clutter-free home has more appeal to buyers.
Figure Out What Needs Special Treatment
For those items you will keep, make a list of what needs special packaging or extra insurance coverage for the move. What about any large paintings or fragile pottery?
Get Written Estimates from Movers
I’ve got some suggestions for you of movers I recommend and you can also ask friends and family first about reliable movers they have used recently. Some moving companies will want to visit onsite to provide an estimate, while others will quote you a rate over the phone or email if you can be specific about the details of what will be moved. Are you in a condo building and have to use the service elevator or in a townhome with no parking close to your home? Be sure to secure the elevator and/or a spot out front for the moving truck.
Select a Moving Company Early
About a month or two before the move, select a company, confirm the date and arrival time, all costs, both addresses, and any details so you avoid any confusion during the actual move.
Get Supplies for the Move
If you aren’t receiving boxes from a moving company, ask around for some to reuse or order new ones. Also, make sure you have a stocked supply of tape, bubble wrap, and permanent pens if you plan to pack yourself. Don’t forget you can even go green by using towels, sheets, and blankets to protect items. Your mover may be able to supply wardrobe boxes and dish barrels but double-check.
Notify Everyone of Your Move
Contact the post office with your new change of address. Also directly contact others to cancel their services or to let them know your new address if you’re continuing their services. This can include vendors for your lawn care, pest control, pet walker, newspaper delivery, house cleaners, gym, swimming pool club, etc.
Plan Your Packing Strategy
First, pre-pack things that you don’t frequently and go from there as you get closer to the moving day. For example, are there certain toys your kids don’t use all the time? Are there items already stowed away such as crystal glasses/china that you don’t plan to take out anytime soon? Get them in boxes now!
Also, make sure you pack one or two boxes with essentials that you will need right away in your new home. Keep track of these boxes! Items like expensive jewelry or important files should be moved to a secure box that you can move personally, if possible.
A few days before the move, pack some suitcases with clothes, shoes, and personal items you will use during the first few days in your new home. Don’t forget shampoo, your toothbrush, any prescription, or over-the-counter drugs. Even if you’re not going cross-county and just heading down the road, plan like you’re going on a trip. Plus, why not use those suitcases, since you need to move them anyway!
Label Your Boxes
Yep, it’s that simple but very important. Label what is in the box, what room it is going into, and even give it a number. This can help you keep an inventory of your belongings and let you know if you’re missing a box or not. Some people take pictures of items in boxes and store them for reference later on.
You also can use color-coded labels if you want to be even more organized. Maybe red labels could mean there are items you need soon after you move in rather than a box that can be unpacked much later.
Plan to Have Someone Onsite Supervising the Move
Always verify that it’s the correct truck and company. Keep a copy of any signed documents and don’t forget to exchange cell numbers! Also, it’s nice to tip and provide refreshments to the movers who will be working hard all day for you.
Scope Out Your New Home
If your new home will be vacant before you move, you can spend time measuring the room sizes to see how furniture will fit or not. You can also spend time picturing how you want to set up the rooms so you know where to tell the movers to move certain pieces of large furniture or artwork.
If there’s even more time between moves, an empty house is easier to paint or refinish floors if that’s the plan.
Leave Your Home “Broom Swept” Clean and Tidy
Don’t leave a mess for the new homeowners or any garbage. You don’t legally have to hire a cleaning service to make it spotless. It’s not a beach rental! However, you have loved this home so make them feel welcome and relieved when they arrive. Leave your old home the same way you would want to find your new home that day. The new owners may get some mail of yours or packages, so keep it friendly and cordial.
I LOVE the process of moving. I love the purging, the cleaning, the organizing, the excitement of creating a new space. When we get to this stage of the process, just know you can reach out to me if you need help, contractor recommendations, or a little motivation!
Moving can be a wild ride, but with these tips, you’ll be on your way to a smooth transition. Remember, the key is to stay organized, start early, and keep a positive attitude.
Happy moving, NOCO
