Congratulations on selling your home (or selling it in the very near future)! Now, you face the daunting task of packing and moving all of your belongings to a new home. But, you don’t have to stress. Today, I’m sharing a moving checklist that should get you organized, packed and on your way to your dream home in no time!
Donate, Sell and Purge
Face it, we all accumulate “stuff” over the years of living in a home. Chances are you don’t need all things you have in your house right now. So, you shouldn’t waste time, energy and money on moving them. The first thing on your moving checklist should be to go those closets and the basement and determine what you can donate, sell and throw away. A good rule of thumb is that if you haven’t used it in six months to a year, you probably won’t use or wear it again.
Research Moving Companies
Do your research to find the right moving company for you. Ask friends or family who have moved recently for their recommendations. You can also use online reviews for information. Also, chances are your realtor has connections with trusted moving companies too. Use your resources. Then, get quotes from a few companies and remember to ask about insurance, timeline and method.
Get Moving Supplies
Boxes, tape, Sharpies, newspaper, bubble wrap and blankets. Make sure you have plenty of all of these items on hand for packing. The last thing you want to do is run out to a store to get more supplies while you are packing up your kitchen. If you know someone who has just moved, ask them for their boxes or even check local social media boards for supplies too. Chances are you can get some of the supplies for free!
Change of Address and Transfer Utilities
The best way to change your address with the post office is to go online to USPS.com/move. Next, you should call your utility providers: electricity, internet, gas, water, etc. and schedule a shut-off day. If you are using the same utility company for your new home, you can schedule your activation day at your new home at the same time.
Make a Moving Binder
I’m a big fan of organization and when you are moving, it pays to have all your moving details in one spot. The binder should hold your moving checklist, contact information for your movers, real estate agents and utilities. Include any receipts or contracts with vendors related to the move. Also, make copies of important documents, like insurance policies, medical records, tax returns, birth certificates and social security cards, just in case they get lost in the move. Include these in your binder. Make sure this binder travels with you and doesn’t get packed!
Donate Food
You are going to want to start clearing out your freezer and pantry about a month or so before the move. This may lead to a lot of interesting dinners. Even with your best efforts, you may not be able to eat everything. So, plan to donate any non-perishable food, like cans of soup, boxes of pasta and bottles of condiments before you leave. Drop these items off at your nearest shelter or church.
Label Everything
You should ensure that all your boxes are labeled clearly with what room the box should go to in your new home and a brief description of the contents. You can go low tech and use a Sharpie to write out the details or a label system. Whatever way you choose, just make sure you put enough detail so you don’t have to go picking through boxes to find your favorite coffee mug the first morning in your new home.
Pack a Bag
When you are packing up your home, don’t forget to pull out some clothes, pajamas and toiletries to get you through a few days at your new home. That first night in your new home is going to be much better if you have your toothbrush and comfy clothes right at your fingertips. Oh, and make sure you pack your valuables, such as jewelry and small electronics with you too. You don’t want to worry about them getting lost or stolen in the move.
Clean
On your way out the door, be sure to clean everything. If you are renting, cleaning can be key to getting your security deposit back. If you just sold your home, it’s just a nice way to welcome the new homeowners. Vacuum, scrub, dust and polish all the surfaces. This really should be easy when the home is empty too!
Take Pictures
Don’t forget to take photos of your home as you are leaving. It’s always great to take one last family photo in front of your old home. While you are moving to a new place, it’s always nice to have those memories to look back on later. If you have a special spot, like an old tire swing or flowers your mother gave you years ago, be sure to capture those special items too.
Now that you have a long moving checklist, it’s time to get going. Don’t wait until the last minute to start packing. Start checking off the list as soon as you can, so you can be less stressed. If you need any help with selling your home or moving tips, please contact me.
