Make Your Move With Summit:
10 Tips for a Smoother, Less Stressful Moving Day
At Summit Mortgage, we’ve helped more than 7,200 families with their loans in the last five years alone, so we know a thing or two about closing loans and we recognize that the process doesn’t end at the closing table. Our clients still have to get settled into their new home and this usually means leaving closing and going to spend the next few days – at least – unpacking all their belongings into their new home.
To make things easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of some top tips to make your move a bit smoother.
1. Prepare a Strategy
A little planning can make moving day feel a lot less overwhelming. Start by deciding whether you want to tackle the move in one day or spread it out over several smaller trips, if your timeline allows.
Create a simple schedule for packing, moving, cleaning, and unpacking. If friends or family are helping, assign specific jobs such as loading the truck, cleaning the old home, or setting up the kitchen at the new one.
Extra tip: Work backward from moving day and start packing nonessential items three to four weeks ahead of time. Save everyday necessities for the final few days.
2. Line Up Help Early
Whether you’re relying on friends and family or hiring professional movers, get your help lined up as early as possible.
For a DIY move, figure out who has trucks, trailers, dollies, or other useful equipment. If you’re hiring professionals, get estimates and reserve your date well in advance, especially if you’re moving near the end of the month, during the summer, or on a weekend.
For a long-distance move, consider whether it makes sense to move large, inexpensive furniture. Selling a bulky couch or dresser and replacing it after the move can sometimes be easier than paying to transport it.
Extra tip: Don’t wait until moving day to ask for help. Invite friends or family over for a packing night a week or two beforehand. Add pizza and music and you can accomplish quite a bit.
2. Label Everything
Labeling boxes is one of the easiest ways to make both moving and unpacking more organized.
Instead of simply writing “Kitchen,” try something more specific, such as “Kitchen | Everyday Dishes | Open First.” Label the top and at least one side of each box so you can still identify it when boxes are stacked.
Extra tip: Create an easy color-coding system for each room. You can also use symbols such as an exclamation point for fragile items or a star for boxes that should be unpacked first.
3. Give Yourself Time To Pause
Moving doesn’t mix particularly well with an already packed schedule. If possible, block off a day or two around your move so you’re not trying to juggle work, appointments, errands, packing, and moving all at once.
Make things easier on yourself by planning simple meals, arranging childcare if needed, and postponing nonessential commitments.
Extra tip: Give yourself something to look forward to when the hard work is finished. Plan a family movie night, dinner out, or a get-together at your new home.
4. Declutter Before You Move
The cheapest and easiest thing to move is something you don’t have to move at all.
Before packing each room, sort items into four categories: keep, donate, sell, and discard. Clothing, furniture, children’s items, sports equipment, and household goods you no longer use may be worth selling or donating instead of taking with you.
Extra tip: Don’t wait until the last week to start selling items. List larger pieces several weeks before your move so buyers have time to pick them up.
5. Pack a Separate First 2-Day Duffle
Think of your first night in your new home like a short hotel stay. Pack everything you’ll need for the first day or two in a suitcase or duffel bag.
Include:
- A few changes of clothes
- Toiletries and medications
- Phone chargers
- Towels
- Toilet paper
- Basic cleaning supplies
- Important documents
- Pet necessities
- Children’s bedtime essentials
- Coffee supplies, because priorities matter
Extra tip: Pack a separate “Open First” box with things like paper towels, garbage bags, basic tools, scissors or a box cutter, cleaning products, and a few dishes.
6. Use What You Already Own As Packing Material
You don’t necessarily need to purchase packing material for everything. Towels, T-shirts, blankets, and other soft household items can provide extra cushioning for dishes and other breakables.
You can also use socks to protect glasses, mugs, small vases, and similar items.
Extra tip: Place towels, T-shirts, or cloth napkins between plates instead of newspaper. They’ll provide cushioning without leaving ink or paper residue behind.
8. Make a Plan for Kids and Pets
Moving day means open doors, unfamiliar people, heavy furniture, and a lot of activity. If possible, arrange for someone to watch young children and pets during the busiest part of the move.
For pets, try to keep feeding, walking, and bedtime routines as normal as possible in the days leading up to your move.
Extra tip: Pack a separate pet bag with food, bowls, medication, a leash, litter, favorite toys, and bedding. When you arrive, set up a quiet, secure area before bringing your pet into the new home.
9. Prepare Appliances Ahead of Time
Don’t forget about the refrigerator and freezer. Start using up frozen and refrigerated food in the weeks leading up to your move so there’s less to transport or throw away.
If you’re taking your refrigerator or freezer with you, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for preparing, defrosting, and transporting the appliance. Use coolers with ice or cold packs for anything that needs to remain refrigerated during the move.
Extra tip: Don’t leave appliance preparation until moving morning. Build it into your moving
10. Take Care of the “New Home” Details Before Moving Day
Make your first night easier by handling as much as possible before the truck arrives.
Confirm when electricity, gas, water, internet, and other necessary services will be available. Update your address with the organizations that matter to you, and make sure you know where you’ll find keys, garage remotes, security codes, and important documents.
If possible, clean the new home before furniture and boxes arrive. It’s much easier to clean empty rooms.
Extra tip: Take photos of your old home after everything is moved out, particularly if you’re leaving a rental. Also photograph valuable furniture and electronics before the move so you have a record of their condition.
Tags: First-time homebuyer, second-time homebuyer
Categories: Home Buying
