Dawn Peterson

Getting Organized for the Big Move

Love Selling Your Home – Week 10

This is the tenth article in the series, Love Selling Your Home: Minimize Your Stress, Maximize Your Profit, a step-by-step guide to selling your home. This series takes you through the entire home-selling process — from finding a real estate agent to settlement day

You’ve got mixed feelings about moving right now — excited to make new memories in a new home but somewhat reluctant to be leaving your old home. No matter what, you’ve got to be organized and focused for your big move and all the details it entails. 

Here are some ways to help you NOT feel overwhelmed leading up to your move (and your settlement day). Doing some preparation months or weeks ahead can make a huge difference in the final days, so keep that in mind when you first list your home.

Find an organization system that works for you. Whether you create an “old-school” binder or find an online app that can keep you on track, take the time to stick to a system and use it. It can be a helpful way to stay organized and have all your information in one spot. Keep your estimates, receipts, checklists, phone numbers, and even an inventory of items being moved. This can relieve a lot of stress during the entire process.

Sort and purge every room. , don’t move things that you don’t use or want anymore! Moving should force you to throw things out or donate or recycle. However, you really should make some headway on this BEFORE you put your home on the market. A clutter-free home has more appeal to buyers.

Don’t forget to dispose of any toxic or hazardous materials you may have lurking in your garage or basement. Check with your community to see where these can be disposed.

Figure out what may need special treatment during your move. For those items you will keep, make a list of what needs special packaging or extra insurance coverage for the move. What about any large paintings or fragile pottery?

Get get written estimates from several movers and compare costs. I’ve got some suggestions for you of movers I recommend and you can also ask friends and family first about reliable movers they have used recently. Some moving companies will want to visit onsite to provide an estimate. However, others will quote you a rate over the phone or email if you can be specific about the details of what will be moved. Are you in a condo building and have to use the service elevator or in a townhome with no parking close to your home? Be sure to secure the elevator and/or a spot out front for the moving truck. 

About a month or two before the move, select a company, confirm the date and arrival time, all costs, both addresses, and any details. This will help you avoid any confusion during the actual move. 

Get supplies for the move. If you aren’t receiving boxes from a moving company, ask around for some to reuse or order new ones. Also make sure you have a stocked supply of tape, bubble wrap, and permanent pens if you plan to pack yourself. Don’t forget you can even stay green by using towels, sheets, and blankets to protect items. Your mover may be able to supply wardrobe boxes and dish barrels but double check.

Let others know you are moving and provide an updated address or cancel services. Contact the post office with your revised change of address.  

Also contact them directly to cancel their services or to let them know your new address if you’re continuing their services. This can include vendors for your lawn care, pest control, pet walker, newspaper delivery, house cleaners, gym, swimming pool club, etc. 

Notify any health professionals about your move and change of address. Depending on how far you move and if you will continue to be a patient, you may need to have any medical records transferred or forwarded to a new health care provider. Also contact your pharmacy with your change of address, and refill any prescriptions as necessary so you don’t run short the days around the move.

Don’t forget about notifying your banks and other financial institutions, your credit card and insurance companies, broker, employers, etc.  If you have a bank deposit box, remember to schedule a time to clean it out if necessary.

If you have children, make sure their school records are sent to the new school district. 

Have a plan when packing your items. First, pack things that you don’t use as frequently and proceed from there as you get closer to the moving day. For example, are there certain toys your kids don’t use all the time? Are there items already stowed away such as crystal glasses and china that you don’t plan to take out anytime soon? Get them in boxes now!

Also make sure you pack one or two boxes with essentials that you will need right away when you move into your new home.  Keep track of these boxes!

Items such as expensive jewelry or confidential files should be moved to a secure box that you can move personally, if possible.

A few days before the move, pack some suit cases with clothes, shoes, and personal items you will use during the first few days in your newly purchased home. Don’t forget shampoo, your tooth brush, any prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Even if you’re not traveling cross-county and just heading down the road, plan like you’re heading on a trip. Plus, why not use those suit cases, since you need to move them anyway!

Label your boxes. Yep, it’s that simple but very significant. Label what is in the box, what room it is heading into, and even give it a number. This can help you keep an inventory of your belongings and let you know if you’re missing a box or not. Some people take pictures of items in boxes and store them for future reference.

You can also use color coded labels if you want to be even more organized. Maybe red labels could mean there are items you need soon after you move in rather than a box that can be opened later.

Plan to have someone onsite supervising the move. Always verify that it’s the correct truck and company. Keep a copy of any signed documents and don’t forget to exchange cell numbers! Also, it’s appropriate to tip and provide refreshments to the movers who will be working hard all day for you.

Scope out your new home. If your new home will be vacant before you move, you can spend time measuring the room sizes to see how furniture will fit or not. You can also spend time picturing how you want to set up the rooms. This will help you know where to tell the movers to move certain pieces of large furniture or artwork.  

If there’s even more time between moves, an empty house is easier to paint or refinish floors if that’s the plan.

Leave your home “broom swept” clean and tidy. Make sure there is no mess or garbage left for the new homeowners. You do not need to hire a cleaning service to make it spotless. It’s not a beach rental!

However, you have loved this home so make them feel welcome and relieved when they arrive. Leave your old home the same way you would want to find your new home that day. The new owners may get some mail of yours or packages, so keep it friendly and cordial.

I LOVE the process of moving. I love the purging, the cleaning, the organizing, the excitement of creating a new space. When we get to this stage of the process, just know you can reach out to me if you need help, contractor recommendations or a bit of motivation! 

How much is home value

Own a Home? Looking to Sell? Here's What You Need to Know!

Hi, there!

I'm Dawn! I believe that the space in which you live tells a story about who you are, your style and highlights the things that are important to you. Moving from one home to the next is stressful! Buying and/or selling your home is one fo the biggest financial decisions you will ever make. I will guide you through that process with ease and efficiency. Let me know how I can help you make your real estate dreams come true. 

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952-297-4863

Keller Williams Preferred Realty
14300 Nicollet Ct, Suite 208
Burnsville, MN 55306

Dawn@DawnPetersonHomes.com

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Hi, there!

I'm Dawn! I believe that the space in which you live tells a story about who you are, your style and highlights the things that are important to you. Moving from one home to the next is stressful! Buying and/or selling your home is one fo the biggest financial decisions you will ever make. I will guide you through that process with ease and efficiency. Let me know how I can help you make your real estate dreams come true. 

schedule your free consultation

Buy

My Listings

Sell

All Articles