The spring real estate market is approaching and even with a slowdown, many people are gearing up for an upcoming move. As a past Realtor and Professional Organizer, I have assisted clients with moves for 30 years now. Here are moving tips to help what can be a stressful event, less so.
MOVING TIPS #1 – 6: MOVE PREPARATION
- My clients regularly ask if they should purge before a move or just move everything. When the time frame is tight, it may be difficult to make time for these decisions. But trust me, you do NOT want to move items that you no longer need or want or will not work in your new space. It costs money in more packing materials, increases the moving company cost and adds to the stress of unpacking even more items unpacked. So, as you are emptying and packing each drawer, cabinet, shelf and the like, really ask yourself if you still need, love, and can use in your new space.
- Set up donate boxes in various places of the house where unwanted items can easily be gathered. Make your life easy and arrange for a donation pick up versus having to pile it all in a car and take somewhere. If you have furniture items you will no longer need as well, consider an estate sale. If you have a few higher priced items, then consider posting on Facebook Marketplace or Next Door. However, do not plan on posting a slew of items to sell online or consign. You likely will not get much return on the dollar for the time spent.
- Print out a blank calendar and project plan everything from purging, packing, turning off utilities, pet arrangements, and the like. Make each step as small and specific as possible so you can literally cross off items as you go. For example, “Pack the house” can’t be checked off for days, weeks or even months. Yet, “purge the linen closet” on one day and “pack the linen closet” on another can easily be managed and completed.
- Make a list of every place you need to change your address from your Drivers License, to subsciptions to the bank, family and friends. Work on doing so gradually.
- Delegate and lean on your trusted resources. Whether it’s your Realtor, the moving company, a Professional Organizer, friends or family. It’s a big job and you can’t do it on your own, nor should you even try. Order in some pizzas and have some friends over to help. Even the kids can handle some tasks and allowing them to be a part of the process will help them deal with any angst they may be feeling about their items being packed up and moved to a new home.
- Ask the people you are purchasing from to provide you with a list of nearby takeout restaurants, dry cleaners, hair salons, etc. At the very least, ordering in take out may be a necessity for a few days.
MOVING TIPS #7 – 11: MOVING DAY
- Make sure all vital documents and jewelry are packed in a way to transport with you.
- Have snacks, drinks, paper towels and toilet paper available at both the new and old homes.
- Have cash available for tipping.
- Make arrangements for kids and pets, as the day is hectic and you will be pulled in many directions.
- For additional tips, check out our previous blog post
MOVING TIPS #12 – 16: UNPACKING
- Step one – make the beds. If nothing else, you will want to collapse and get a good night’s sleep before the big unpack begins.
- Step two – the kitchen.
- Then tackle bedrooms and bathrooms.
- Next is a playroom for the kids’ toys followed by a home office.
- Post empty boxes and paper on Facebook or Next Door. It will be gone before you can blink.
MOVING TIPS #17 – 22: DOWNSIZING
- Assess the spaces to first figure out which furniture you will be able to take with you.
- Compare and contrast the number of kitchen drawers and cabinets you have now versus what you will have, as well as closet space. Much of your purging decisions will be driven by physical limitations. Afterall, if you have a closet half the size then you know you will need to really pare down your wardrobe. But if the closets are similar in size, no need to spend too much time on that other than what is noted above in terms of not moving items you no longer need or love.
- Be realistic about your new life. Will you truly be entertaining as you once did? Probably not. Pull all like items out and assess how many vases, for example, are similar in size and shape to where you pick your favorite of each. Same with serving platters, especially those that are large or heavy.
- Remember you are at a stage when you want life to be easier. Simplifying the number of possessions you own is one way to accomplish that.
- Attempt to mimic your spaces as much as possible. That is, if you currently have silverware to the left of the dishwasher, then try to do the same in your new home.
- Safety first! Be very mindful of tripping hazards, so no area rugs or tight spaces. Everything you need on a regular basis must be within reach – no step stools!
Put It There has vast purging, packing and unpacking experience. Feel free to contact us for any degree of assistance – whether it be to receive our comprehensive list of donation organizations, tap into our many resources for junk removal/estate sales/movers/and more, or to see how we can assist with the actual move.
Moving can be stressful. However, with good planning and help it doesn’t have to be.
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