You’ve sold your home and are ready to move, but now you realize moving may be a little trickier than you first thought. It can be daunting, but with a bit of planning and the proper know-how, it can go pretty smoothly well, as much as moving can go smoothly.
We’ve put together a few tips on moving once your home is sold to ensure that you move out swiftly and on time. The moving below can help you from the beginning until you settle in your new location.
Start Planning Your Move Early On
The sooner you can start planning your move, the smoother the actual move will be. Even if you’re starting to think about moving, going through your home and belongings and setting up a pre-plan can save you time and money down the road. You can start doing little things like purging closets, cleaning out the attic and garage. Some people even rent storage units for the items they’re not sure about but want out of the way.
Whether you’re moving to a small apartment or a mansion, the sooner you start planning, the better off you’ll be on moving day.
Using a Moving Company
No matter how much you have to move, working with a professional mover is a great way to make moving to a new place easier. While they can be pricey, start searching for a moving company even before you sell your home. This is because most reputable moving companies are highly sort-after, and you might not get one at the last minute. Also, it will give you some time to make some price comparisons or maybe even find some special offers.
Also, ask for moving company referrals from your family, friends, or colleagues and check online reviews. You should try to use an insured company so that if anything happens to your belongings during the move, you’re not left with damaged goods and no recourse.
This one may seem like a no-brainer, but before you book the moving date, be sure that you’ll be ready to move. Some companies charge a pretty hefty fee if you cancel at the last minute.
Some professional moving companies often have various packages. Some will pack up everything for and move you, while some will only move you after you’ve packed. Ensure you know what plan you’re signing up for because moving companies make money by the hour and may charge you extra if they have to wait on you. Once you’ve got the correct information, you’ll know how to deal with the packing process. You can focus on what the company doesn’t do and leave out the rest to the professionals.
Look for More Hands
Even if you’re using a moving company, packing up and getting ready can be a lot to take on. If you won’t be using a moving company, it’s even more important to get as much help as you can. Moving isn’t easy, and many hands will lighten up the work, and save time and help avoid injuries.
Reach out to family members and friends who can help you out. The number of helpers you plan to get depends on your belongings’ size and how soon you want to finish packing.
As you assemble your helpers, plan for food and drinks and other things to make the activity fun. You can also arrange for music that will light up the mood as your helpers work. Before you usher in your helpers in the home, ensure you plan well. Create a checklist showing what each one is expected to do. This will prevent you from wasting their time and show you appreciate and value their help.
Sort Your Items Based on Quality
Over time, people collect things in their homes. And while you may have enjoyed your time with said possessions, you may not necessarily want to move all of them. Now would be the perfect time to sort through your belongings, select essential items, and separate them from the rest. This can take time, so it is crucial to start the process as earlier as possible.
Once you’ve sorted the non-essential items, you can decide to sell, throw away, give away or donate them. Try to do this about one week before your moving day. Doing it on the final day can be an inconvenience and disrupt the entire process.
Below are ways to sort your items when looking for tips on moving once your home is sold.
- Old and new appliances
- Kitchenware and other household goods.
- Kids items, including toys and bicycles.
- Electronic equipment.
- Large items such as furniture.
- Gardening and other building equipment.
- Used clothes that are worthy of selling or donating.
Sorting items can be time-consuming, and packing non-essential items will also unnecessarily consume space when moving, which can drive up the costs as you’ll be moving things you don’t need.
Hunt for Packing Boxes
Boxes are a crucial component that will help you pack your stuff well. If your moving company confirmed that boxes are part of the plan, then you’re safe. But if not, you’ll need to look for boxes within the shortest time possible.
Start looking for boxes within your neighborhood from people who may have moved recently. You can also get boxes from local stores. When getting boxes, ensure they are in good shape. They should have lids, no tears, still structurally strong, and be clean and dry to avoid potentially damaging your items.
Start Packing Your Belongings
- Below are tips you can implement for a seamless packing process.
- Label all your boxes based on what you plan to pack in each box.
- If you have fragile items, label the boxes with the word “fragile.”
- Label the packing materials with corresponding names of family members.
- When done, confirm and ensure each box is marked correctly.
The ultimate goal is to use the available space wisely and ensure that everything is well organized to avoid too much work once you get to your new home. For the best outcome, consider creating various packing stations based on your belongings. This will make your work easy and help you to stay organized through the packing process.
Congratulations! It Is Now Time to Move
At last, you have everything in place. You’ve sold your home, packed your belongings, and are now ready to move to your new home. When your mover arrives, you should have organized all things in place for a seamless process. With the moving tips above, you can enjoy your journey to your new location with peace of mind.
For more information on moving, reach out to the experts at Sheridan Solomon & Associates.