See photos and updates from listings directly in your feed
Share your favorite listings with friends and family
Save your search and get new listings directly in your mailbox before everybody else
When you’re in the process of selling your house, finding a buyer is just the beginning. The next big step is moving to your new home. This involves packing your belongings, hiring a reliable mover, and ensuring that everything safely reaches your new place. To help you navigate this process smoothly, here are some experts moving tips and packing advice.
Handling Logistics:
- Book a mover early: To secure the moving date you want and the right-sized truck, it’s advisable to book your mover several months in advance, especially during peak moving season.
- Find a reputable mover: Take the time to research and find a moving company that is licensed and has a good reputation within the community. Check their credentials, online reviews, and complaints filed with organizations like the Better Business Bureau.
- Get multiple estimates: Arrange in-person estimates with at least three different moving companies to ensure you receive competitive pricing. Ask relevant questions about their timeline, down payment, and if they offer a binding estimate.
- Protect yourself from scams: Be cautious of moving company scams and fraud. Look out for warning signs such as only accepting cash payments, a lack of online presence or proper registration, excessive deposits, blank contracts, or unresolved complaints with relevant authorities.
- Choose a mover that offers the services you need: Depending on your specific requirements, ensure that the moving company you hire can cater to your needs, such as temporary storage, vehicle transportation, or specialized moving services for valuable items like artwork or pianos.
- Understand your insurance options: Check your homeowner insurance policy to determine if it covers any damages during the move. Consider additional coverage like full-value coverage or third-party insurance to protect your belongings adequately.
Minimizing the Items to Move:
- Consider listing your home as furnished or selling furniture to buyers: Selling your home furnished can save you time and effort during the move, especially for long-distance relocations. Buyers looking for a second home may appreciate the convenience of purchasing furniture and other household items along with the house.
- Decide what to keep, discard, donate, and sell: Create 3 piles when going through your belongings and determine what you want to take to your new home. Consider options like renting a dumpster for large items, donating to charities, giving away to friends and family, holding a garage sale, or selling antiques and collectibles through local stores or online auctions.
Packing Tips:
- Learn how many boxes you’ll need (per square foot): Estimate the number of packing boxes required based on the square footage of your home. You can obtain free boxes from grocery stores or liquor stores, or ask friends who have recently moved.
- Learn how many boxes you’ll need (per room): Use a general estimate of the number of small, medium, large, and extra-large boxes required per room. Adjust the quantities based on your belongings.
- Pick up packing supplies for your move: Apart from boxes, gather essential packing supplies such as tape, bubble wrap, shrink wrap, markers, zip lock bags, labels, blank newsprint paper, scissors, and tape.
- Begin packing months in advance: Start packing early. Begin with items you will only need after the move. This approach helps alleviate last-minute stress and gives you ample time to organize your belongings.
- Label boxes by rooms and contents: Use clear labels on the sides of boxes, indicating the contents and the room where they belong. Maintain an inventory list for easy reference.
- Place furniture hardware and electrical cords in baggies: Keep track of screws and hardware by storing them in labeled plastic bags taped to the corresponding furniture pieces. This simplifies reassembling your furniture at your new home.
- Organize necessary paperwork in a folder for easy access: Keep critical documents like passports, deeds, and rental leases in a designated folder, ensuring easy access during and after the move. Also, keep essential items like toiletries, tools, and cleaning supplies readily available.
Important Tasks to Remember:
- Arrange for utilities to be turned on in advance to ensure a smooth transition to your new home.
- Change your mailing address with the post office: Avoid missing important mail by changing your mailing address in advance. You can do this online or visit the post office.
- Notify companies and creditors about your address change: Inform credit card companies, insurance providers, and other relevant businesses about your address change to avoid any service disruptions.
Options if You Need More Time:
- Rent-back agreement: If you require additional time to move out after selling your house, negotiate a rent-back agreement. A rent-back agreement is when the seller agrees to rent the home back from the buyer for a specified period after the closing of the sale. This will allow you to stay in the house for a specified period, providing flexibility in your moving timeline.
- Find a short-term rental: Consider temporary housing if you need extra time before moving into your new home. This option allows you to avoid rushing into a purchase and stage your old house for potential buyers.
Following these expert moving tips and packing advice can streamline your move and ensure a smoother transition to your new home.
