There’s always a certain amount of panic involved with moving, isn’t there? It never feels like there’s enough time between deciding to move and when you need to be there. It’s crucial to have a comprehensive checklist in place if you want to have a nice smooth transition. This article will provide you with an essential moving home checklist that covers all the important tasks and considerations. By following this checklist, you can stay organized and reduce stress throughout the moving process.
Create a Moving Timeline
Creating a moving timeline is essential for staying organized and ensuring that you complete all the necessary tasks on time. Start by setting a moving date and work backward to determine specific deadlines for different tasks.
Consider tasks such as decluttering and organizing your belongings (more on this in a moment), notifying utility companies of your move, booking movers or a rental truck, packing, and changing your address with relevant organizations and institutions. Breaking down the moving process into smaller, manageable tasks will make it feel less overwhelming.
Declutter and Organize
Before packing, take the opportunity to declutter and organize your belongings. Go through each room and decide what items to keep, donate, sell, or discard (although even Marie Kondo has got less severe). It’s a great opportunity to minimize the number of things you need to move and start fresh in your new home.
Consider holding a garage sale or listing items online to sell, such as furniture, electronics, or that preowned engagement ring that no longer holds sentimental value. Donate gently used items to local charities or shelters. Discard any items that are broken, damaged, or no longer needed. This process will not only lighten your load but also save you time and money when packing and unpacking.
Look For A Real Estate Agent Early
You need to look for a real estate agent early in the process whether you’re just looking to buy a property or selling the old one as well. A reliable and experienced agent can provide valuable guidance and support throughout the buying or selling journey.
Start researching potential agents as soon as you decide to move. In an ideal world, you’d be able to talk to them individually before you decide to work with them, but time isn’t always on your side. The best way to find real estate agents who have properties you want is by using a real estate site that shows you homes for sale. Say you’re looking for real estate in Charleston. You want to be able to see the properties and the real estate agents in the area so you can make a pick that works for you. EZ Home Search updates its listings every fifteen minutes to bring you the latest properties and they work with the best real estate in the area.
Create a Packing Plan
Having a packing plan in place will make the moving process much more efficient. Start by gathering essential packing supplies such as boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, markers, and labels. You can purchase these supplies from moving companies, office supply stores, or online.
Begin packing non-essential items well in advance, starting with items you use infrequently. Label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This will make unpacking easier and help movers place boxes in the correct rooms in your new home.
Pack fragile items with care, using bubble wrap or packing paper to protect them. Consider using blankets or towels to cushion delicate items. Take extra precautions when packing electronics or valuable items and consider keeping important documents and valuables with you during the move.
Notify Relevant Parties of Your Move
To ensure a seamless transition, it’s important to notify relevant parties of your move. Start by changing your address with the United States Postal Service (USPS). They can set up a redirection service that will forward your mail to your new address.
Inform your utility companies, including electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable providers, about your move and schedule the disconnection and reconnection of services. Update your address with banks, credit card companies, insurance providers, and any other financial institutions you have accounts with.
Notify your employer, healthcare providers, and any subscriptions or memberships you have. Don’t forget to update your address on important documents such as your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and voter registration.
Transfer or Cancel Services
If you’re moving within the same area, contact your current service providers, such as internet, cable, and security companies, to transfer your services to your new address. Schedule the installation or setup in your new home to ensure a smooth transition.
This is a great time to think about cord-cutting. For services that are not transferrable or that you no longer require, such as gym memberships or cleaning services, make sure to cancel them ahead of time to avoid unnecessary charges.
Pack a Moving Day Essentials Kit
Prepare a moving day essentials kit that contains all the items you’ll need immediately upon arrival at your new home. This kit should include essential toiletries, a change of clothes, bedding, towels, cleaning supplies, snacks, water, and any important documents or medications.
Keep this kit with you during the move, either in your car or easily accessible in your moving truck. Having these essentials on hand will save you from rummaging through boxes to find what you need right away.
Hire Professional Movers or Rent a Truck
Decide whether you’ll hire professional movers or rent a truck for a DIY move. Research moving companies, read reviews, and obtain quotes to compare prices and services. If you choose to rent a truck, make sure to reserve it well in advance to ensure availability on your moving day.
If you’re hiring professional movers, consider purchasing moving insurance to protect your belongings during the move. Ask for a written contract that outlines the details of the move, including costs, dates, and any additional services.
Pack and Label Valuables Separately
Keep valuable items such as jewelry, important documents, and sentimental items separate from the rest of your belongings. Consider packing them in a personal bag or box that you’ll keep with you during the move.
Label this box as “Valuables” and take extra care to keep it secure and accessible. This will give you peace of mind knowing that your most important possessions are accounted for and protected.
Conduct a Final Walk-Through
Before leaving your current home, conduct a final walk-through to ensure you haven’t forgotten anything. Check each room, closet, and storage space to make sure nothing is left behind.
Turn off lights, lock windows and doors, and leave any necessary keys or access codes for the new occupants. If you’re renting, take photos or videos of the property’s condition as evidence for your security deposit refund.
Update Your Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance
Contact your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance provider to update your policy to reflect your new address. Ensure that your coverage is adequate for your new home and its contents. If necessary, research and compare insurance providers to ensure you’re getting the best coverage and rates.
Conclusion
By following this essential moving home checklist, including looking for a real estate agent early, creating a moving timeline, decluttering and organizing, creating a packing plan, notifying relevant parties of your move, transferring or canceling services, packing a moving day essentials kit, hiring professional movers or renting a truck, packing and labeling valuables separately, conducting a final walk-through, and updating your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, you can ensure a smoother and more successful move. Stay organized, take things step by step, and enlist the help of family and friends when needed. Before you know it, you’ll be settling into your new home with ease.
