Organize Your Home For a Successful Move!
Home Organizational Tips You Can Do to Enhance Your Home Move
Judith Sutton ABR CRS IDS PMN ASP IAHSP SRES GREEN
Judy@JudithSutton.com 908 803-0472
Follow this two-month checklist to keep your move on track
Invited guest post by Laura McHolm
The pandemic stay-at-home protocols forced us to reevaluate our homes and where we live. Questions about our home size, needing a home office long term and thoughts of relocation to more affordable cities or closer to family were on the minds of many during the last year. Whether due to a life change or a change brought about by the pandemic, millions of people are moving and creating the “Great Reshuffling.”
This record rise in Americans moving, coupled with the typical busy moving season in the summer and a shortage of workers, has created the perfect storm. Moving companies are incredibly busy and are working hard to hire the qualified help they need. Moving is challenging enough without scrambling to find a reputable moving company.
So what does this mean for those planning to move this summer? Plan ahead! Make your moving reservations as early as possible to beat the surge and put your organizational skills in overdrive.
If possible, give yourself eight weeks to handle the moving to-dos in an orderly, low-stress manner. Use the steps below in this two-month moving calendar to keep you calm and prepared. Simply follow these steps and check them off one-by-one:
EIGHT WEEKS TO GO:
Start the process of selecting a mover
Check a mover’s record with the Better Business Bureau in your state and social review sites. A great reputation is the best way to choose a mover
Book your mover
Start to inventory and divide up your belongings: Decide who gets what, which items to donate, recycle, to take and which items (if any) need to go into short-term or long-term storage
FOUR WEEKS TO GO:
Mail change of address cards or change your information online at the following:
Post office
Local Department of Motor Vehicles for License & Registration
Social security
Insurance companies
Credit card companies
Credit bureau and/or other creditors
Employer (to forward W2s)
Broker
Mail order accounts
Magazines
Friends and relatives
Gather personal records (medical, dental, etc.)
Arrange to transfer children’s school records
Gather all pet’s vet records and make sure all pets are micro-chipped and the chip corresponds to a cell number that goes with you on your move. Order new tags and licenses with new address and your cell phone number
Check homeowner’s insurance policies to see if moving is covered. Be sure your new home is protected by transferring fire, theft and other personal-property insurance
START TO PACK
THREE WEEKS TO GO:
Make arrangements to discontinue current utilities and schedule the start-up of new utilities:
Landline telephone service
Cable TV
Internet
Electricity (check for refund)
Gas (check for refund)
Fuel oil
House cleaners
Babysitters
Dog walkers
Gardeners
Pool Service
Diaper service
Water
Water softener
Parking
Other: ________________________
Have appliances serviced for shipment
TWO WEEKS TO GO:
Arrange to transfer local bank accounts
Ask doctors, dentists and veterinarians for medical records
Cancel newspaper delivery
Refill all prescriptions. Get prescriptions transferred to a new pharmacy closer to the new home
Make arrangements to move children and pets. Do you need a babysitter for a day or two? A pet sitter?
Confirm that the mover will move houseplants; if not, make arrangements. (Houseplants, usually, cannot be moved by a mover, especially on long distance or out of state moves)
Start to disassemble any shelving, closet systems, etc. that you plan to take or arrange with the mover that they will be doing this on the day of the move
If you need one, hire a cleaning crew to come clean your empty home. Will your new place need a cleaning crew before you move?
ONE WEEK TO GO:
Pack in separate boxes the items necessary for first days in the new home: Label “LOAD LAST.” And label where to put each of those boxes in your new home:
Medicine (always keep prescriptions on you)
Comfortable clothes
Linens and towels
Toothbrushes and toiletries
Paper goods
Disposable plates and silverware
Foil and wax paper
Plastic containers
Microwave
Vacuum cleaner
Garbage bags
Tool kit
Step ladder
Extension cords
Light bulbs
Cleaning items (mop and pail, broom and dust pan, etc.)
Each member of the family should also pack a suitcase with what they need for a few days while you’re getting settled into your new place. Don’t forget cell phone chargers, medications and favorite teddy bears
If the movers are packing all or part of your belongings, call to schedule and confirm the details. Make sure your mover knows how much packing you expect to do yourself and how much you expect them to do
Plan to use up most food items before the move. If you have any leftover food on moving day, donate it to your local Food Bank
Register to vote
TWO DAYS TO GO:
Defrost and dry refrigerators/freezers to be moved
Gather valuables and important documents from jewelry cases, safe deposit box, etc. to take with you in the car. Do not pack these items with your other belongings
MOVING DAY! YOU MADE IT!
Congratulations, you conquered “The Great Reshuffling!” Not only did you move during a very unique time, you stayed organized and hopefully, the entire process was much more stress-free. As the winner of this moving marathon, you now get to slowly unpack and peacefully settle into your new and improved lifestyle.
Advice you can count on! Your trusted advisor, Judy
COLDWELL BANKER Guiding People Home Since 1906
Judy@JudithSutton.com
908 803-0472
"...the right relationship means everything..."
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