“How did I accumulate so much junk?” That’s the key phrase I hear when people are getting ready to move. Eyes wide and overwhelmed, we all know that the moving process can be stressful. There are some tried and true ways to make the experience a bit easier and there are also some tasks to add to your to-do list as soon you get the keys to your new pad.
Packing Tips
Surprise! You don’t need to keep everything you have in your home. If you haven’t used it or worn it for months, it might be time to let it go. Make an area for items you can donate and another area for items you can toss. Then pack the rest. Here’s a list of some essentials for your packing pleasure: moving boxes, packing tape, packing padding, markers.
It’s best to pack room by room. Don’t mix up items from one room with another as it will get confusing. Also, make sure to label breakable items as fragile so movers know to handle them with care.
There are several different ways to plan your move. The easiest way is the full service moving company. Movers often book up well in advance and weekends are their busy time so it is smart to start looking into them and getting estimates as soon as possible. You can also rent moving trucks and do the move on your own. This may be more cost effective, but will also be more labor intensive.
If you are getting rid of a lot of items, you may want to hire a junk company to pick them up. If anything is worth selling, make sure to start posting your classified ads or planning your garage sale ASAP. For items that you plan to donate, make sure to set aside time to bring your belongings to Goodwill or schedule a pickup with them.
To-Do List
- One of the most important things to do is set up utilities at your new home. You don’t want to get there and have no electricity, gas, water, or worse yet, TV or Internet! TV and Internet often need a longer lead time so make sure to set up that appointment as early as you can.
- If your new place needs appliances, you should place those orders ASAP and also schedule delivery. I know from personal experience that it took two weeks for my refrigerator to be delivered. That was a long two weeks of takeout meals!
- Getting the keys to your new home is always a right of passage. It’s exciting to unlock your new front door. But don’t get too attached to that key. One of the first things you should do is rekey your home. Who knows how many keys are floating around out there? Play it safe and get a new set.
- If the carpets have not been professionally cleaned, you should do this before you start moving in your personal belongings. It removes stains, allergens, and unwanted scents.
- Give the house a thorough cleaning. Whether you do it yourself or hire cleaners, make sure they get the bathrooms, the cabinets and appliances. Before you start unpacking your personal items, you need to have a clean spot to unload them.
If you are moving this summer, congratulations! I hope to make your move a little less stressful by sharing these tips.
By Holly Schwartz
Holly Schwartz is a realtor with Villa Real Estate who lives in Newport Beach and has been featured on HGTV’s “House Hunters.” She can be reached at HSchwartz@VillaRealEstate.com.
