Make your moving easy.

The first thing you want to think about when you are getting ready to move is to make sure that you have enough time to plan your packing, do the packing and then moving your belongings.  Be honest about the time that you think it will take you to pack up the house room by room.  Go into each room and estimate the time needed for that room.  Once all the rooms have an estimate, add those time frames together and then double it.  This will give you more than enough time to pack up.

Before you begin to pack anything into boxes declutter.  You do not want to spend time packing, moving and unpacking items that could be disposed of and never missed.  Go through the house and if you don’t “LOVE IT” or “NEED IT” then get rid of it.  Some items you may want to sell for cash, think yard sale or Craigslist.  Other items can be donated to the local hospice and can make a great tax deduction on next year’s tax returns.  Be sure to keep the receipts.  There is also Freecycle if you would rather have someone come and pick up what you have.

Once you are ready to begin packing, start with one room at a time.  Pack that room completely before moving to the next room. This will help you stay organized as you go.  A great way to keep track of the boxes is to write on all sides the contents and destination of that box.  It will make things easier on the other end, especially if you have people helping to move boxes.

Do not over pack the boxes!  Sure you want to get everything in there and fill it up to the top but you also need to be able to carry it to its new home.  Keep the boxes less than 50 pounds so you don’t hurt your back or drop the box because it’s too heavy when it’s time to put the boxes in a moving truck.  You can also add handles by cutting upside down triangles into the side of the box and that makes it easier to carry.  

Label one box for all the documents that you may need access to in a moment’s notice, these might include: birth certificates, school, records, mover estimates, new job contracts, utility company phone numbers, recent bank records, current bills, phone lists, closing papers, maps, and whatever else you can think of.  You don’t want to bury these items in an unmarked box then have to go on a hunt to find the item you need.

If you need help selling your house give me a call at 530-306-3494, I can help.