MOVING CHECKLIST – PREPARING FOR THE MOVE

Once your home has SOLD, it’s time for you to prepare for Moving Day. Get ready for boxes, bags and bedlam! Packing up the items seldom used before you home went on the market was a good start. Now you need to decide what is going with you to your new home, and what needs to be disposed of. Think about a garage sale – or donate clean, useable items to local charities. Have fun thinning down

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Begin by clearing out a space in the garage to stack the packed boxes. If you don’t have a garage, choose a room that has the least use. When gathering boxes, try and get them all in the same dimensions. Never pack the box too heavy to be safely lifted. Use smaller boxes for books. Check with the moving company that you have hired for packing materials. Most will also suggest leaving contents inside dressers – less to pack!

Make a plan of packing one room at a time, usually saving the kitchen until last. Wipe down cabinets and shelves when they are empty. Before you know it, you are ready to go. All that is left is the furniture and large pieces. Sounds easy, right? Well, just remember, moving is a major event in your life, and with proper planning and preparation, it will eliminate a lot of the stress. Hiring professionals is the best way to go. If that isn’t in your budget, be sure to enlist reliable friends to help a few days before with the packing, and let them know what you expect them to do. Writing out instructions for your helpers is a great way to stay organized. Be sure to label contents boxes, both on the top and the side. Have plenty of markers, tape and paper handy to use.

Have a cooler with filled with snacks and beverages on moving day. Keep your energy up –and enjoy the excitement! Assign a crew to clean the house. Again, hiring professionals is the best way to go, but if you are doing it yourself, be sure to leave your home in great shape. Don’t forget the oven and fridge – and make one last check of the dishwasher and clothes dryer just in case something got left behind!

Leave all of the keys and garage door openers on the counter for the new owner. Any operating manuals, warranties, instructions for the security system should also be easily accessed. Leave a personal note about mail delivery, garbage pick-up and any other information that will help them settle in their new neighborhood quickly. It’s a nice touch that is always appreciated. (I like to leave a beverage or two in the fridge!)