Have you found your dream house, but know that the “M” word has to make an entrance first?

We know that the process of moving to another home can be stressful and overwhelming, but it can be a little less painful if you follow some of these pointers before you even start to make your move. Armed with this advice, you may think moving is a little less daunting and way more exciting, as you start a new chapter at a new address.

House Moving Checklist:

I) PREP WORK

Determine your moving budget and start a checklist.

After you’ve visually listed all of your to do’s, which includes a timeline that’s best for you (whether that’s two weeks or two months), it’s important to figure out a realistic budget. Because, after all, you have to factor in your new home mortgage. For instance, do you want to hire professional movers or do you have plenty of family and friends nearby with the helping hands and vehicles standing by ready? If you’re moving out of state and your moving network isn’t available, the pros may be the way to go; and if you go pro, be sure to get quotes from at least three different moving companies that are licensed and insured and to schedule moving day mid-week, mid-month to save more money.

Forward your mail and send notices.

This is just one of those loose ends to tie up to alleviate the stress of your move into a new area. Notify utility companies, credit card companies, the postal service and more.

Purge.

The less you have to pack, the better! So if you can sort through your things to figure out what you can throw away, sell or donate before you just shove it all into boxes, this move will save you time in the big picture of the process. Take measurements in your new home and don’t move any furniture that won’t fit in your new space. And schedule a donation day to your local Goodwill, Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity. 

Collect boxes.

Locate a large amount of free boxes from your local grocery store, recycling drop-off points, and offices, even liquor stores to pack your fragile glassware, stemware and china. Also, remember to reuse original boxes for your electronics and appliances, from your TV to your blender.

II) PACK ATTACK

Pace yourself.

Set up a goal to pack for an hour a day so you don’t get too overwhelmed when you look at all of the rooms in the house as a whole. And, as you go from room to room, color coordinate a different packing label or masking tape for each room to save time for everyone when unloading in your new home.

Don’t overpack.

As you’re packing, remember to distribute accordingly so each box is easy to lift. Heavy items, like books, should go in small boxes and lighter items should go in larger boxes. Your large boxes shouldn’t weigh any more than 50 pounds. 

Pad the breakables.

You don’t want your precious items to break on your moving route! Pad your fragile items with bunched-up newspaper, padding, foam peanuts and bubble wrap. It’s also important to make sure the bottom seams of each box is properly taped up and sturdy. 

Save space.

Some of your household items can be repurposed as moving boxes, like hampers, suitcases and laundry baskets. And, to save space when packing your clothing, roll clothing instead of folding and pack groups of hanging clothes in garbage bags by cutting a hole on top of the bag.

Organize your furniture pieces.

Remove and secure drawers and doors and place all the screws and bolts into plastic bags and tape onto the back of the furniture pieces for your convenience. To make it easier with electronics, take a photo of the back to help you remember where each cord is plugged.

Pack these items separately.

For the best in safety, items like tools, painting equipment, cleaning chemicals, fire extinguishers, heating agents, and auto batteries should be packed separately and clearly marked on the box. 

III) MOVING DAY 

Plan ahead and pace yourself.

There should be a point person on moving day directing movers, whether these are professional or volunteers. This director should know which items need to be moved first, and which ones can be moved last, and make sure things aren’t being rushed and just thrown into a moving truck without any order or diligence. You’ve put a lot of time and effort into this entire process, so this final step should be flawless.

For more tips and advice on the homebuying process, help with looking for property for sale in Myrtle Beach, or to set up an appointment with one of our expert agentsfeel free to visit us or call us at 843.839.4878