Recent figures from the National Association of Realtors show that an American home usually stays in the market for three weeks and a half on average. For properties in Tampa, Florida, however, the turnaround time is much shorter given the competitiveness of the market. If you recently put your Tampa home up for sale, your family has less than three weeks to pack all your possessions and get ready for the big move. 

The thought of relocating to a new place can be exciting, especially if you are looking forward to new opportunities, but the moving process can be overwhelming. While hiring professional movers from a reputable long distance company in Tampa can significantly reduce the burden, you still have tons of sorting and packing to do—all in a limited time.

Before you start hyperventilating, know that you can get through the situation successfully. You can secure all your belongings and get them ready for moving as soon as your house is sold by considering the following tips:

Create a Moving Plan

The key to a stress-free move is proper preparation. As such, start by creating a detailed moving plan to ensure that you keep track of everything until it is time for you to move. Having a to-do-list with corresponding timelines and accountable persons can help you stay in control of the process, instead of merely reacting to what is happening. 

Break down your plan into weeks leading up to your moving day. Make sure that your moving plan includes an inventory of all your possessions as the list will come in handy as you sort and pack your things. Your inventory list will also be an important document for insurance purposes. You can find samples of detailed moving checklists and templates online for reference. 

Gather Boxes and Moving Supplies

Explore other options for collecting boxes for free before you spend money on moving boxes. For instance, you can ask your neighborhood grocery or favorite office supply store for boxes that they do not need. You can also advertise on Craigslist and similar platforms, in case there are people near your area who are trying to dispose of boxes. 

Apart from securing enough boxes, you should also stock up on various moving supplies before you begin packing. Make sure you have large rolls of bubble wrap and brown packing paper for fragile items, large trash bags, packing tape, box cutters, and permanent markers for labeling.

Sort Your Items into Categories

Instead of packing everything blindly, it is best to sort your stuff to lighten your moving load. Besides saving on moving costs, sorting your belongings is a good opportunity to get rid of things you no longer use or want. 

You can try the KonMari Method when sorting. Go through each item and ask yourself if it still sparks joy in your heart. If the answer is yes, then you can set these things aside for packing. For the items that no longer bring joy, you can further segregate them into three categories—donate, sell, and throw.

Start Boxing Non-Essential Items

Remember the things you set aside because they still bring you joy? You can go through this pile again so that you can start boxing items that you do not need in the near future and separating them from those you seldom use, such as holiday decorations, art pieces, and seasonal shoes and clothes. Note that you can pack your non-essential items several weeks before moving, thus, saving you tons of valuable time and energy once the hectic days begin. 

Pay Attention to Your Valuables and Important Documents

Make sure that you personally secure your valuables like jewelry, family heirlooms, and expensive china, no matter how busy you are, instead of entrusting them to others. Do not forget to wrap the fragile and sensitive items with bubble wrap for protection and to transport them yourself to avoid any untoward incident. 

Besides your valuables, you should also pay close attention to your important documents before the chaotic packing and moving begins. Create a special file or use a binder to keep birth certificates, passports, school records, financial records, and other critical papers ready for moving.

Label Everything

Protect your belongings and make the moving and unpacking processes more organized and hassle-free by labeling each box. Make sure that your markings contain essential information, such as your name, the contents of the box, the room it came from, and special handling directions, if any. 

Use thick red markers to scribble specific handling instructions like “fragile” or “handle with care” to make it more noticeable to the movers. You may also consider a color-coding labeling system to make the process of identifying easier.

Pack a Survival Box

Since you cannot unpack everything as soon as you reach your destination, you should pack a separate box or a bag filled with essentials that you can readily use on your first night in your new home. Here are some items that you need in your survival box:

• Bedsheets, pillow, portable mattress, sleeping bags
• Change of clothes for every member of your family
• Personal hygiene products
• Bathroom essentials
• Cleaning materials
• Snacks
• Disposable utensils

Multiple surveys show that moving house is one of life’s most stressful events. While this may be true for some people, the process does not have to be overwhelming and frustrating for you. Through proper planning, time management, and by considering the pointers above, you can significantly minimize the stress and could even make moving a truly rewarding experience.