Staying organized can make all the difference between a high-stress move and a smooth and seamless one. Use these six tips to keep your moving experience on-track, on-budget and on-time, so you can soak up the excitement as you get settled into your new home.
1. Create a Timeline
Packing up and moving homes is a huge chore, but having a plan of attack will simplify the process. A timeline is a helpful visual that can keep you on track with important tasks so you reach your closing date without added stress. Your timeline can include packing deadlines, inspection dates, donation pick-ups, utility cancellations, important meetings and more. Having a timeline also makes it easier to see which tasks you can outsource, like house cleaning, when you’re overwhelmed with the details.
2. Declutter As You Go
Don’t be tempted to declutter when you unpack your possessions in your new home. You will quickly regret this choice because it creates more work and frustration in the end. Instead, purge unwanted belongings in advance of your move. This will ensure that you only bring your most cherished possessions and it will save you in moving costs too. This is also a great opportunity to return items that belong to others, consign or hire an estate sales company to part with valuable treasures, donate usable items to charity or call a waste management service to haul away junk.
3. Keep Track of Boxes
As you close up boxes, invest the time to track what you have packed. This includes labelling boxes with their final room destination, writing the contents on the outside of the box and identifying whether it is fragile or heavy. Another best practice is numbering your boxes and tracking this information on a spreadsheet, so you can check them off once they are unloaded into your new home. This extra step also makes it easier to identify any boxes that might go missing.
4. “Pack and Load Last” Boxes
When you are unpacking your belongings, it’s nice to have your essentials nearby. As you pack up your house, create “Pack and Load Last” boxes with the items you need right away in your new home. Ask your movers to load these boxes onto the truck last so they are easy to unload at your final destination.
Here are some suggestions of things to include:
- Towels
- Pillows and bedding
- Shower liners and rings
- Clothing, outerwear and footwear
- Toiletries
- Disposable plates, cups and utensils
- Coffee maker, filters and grinds
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
- Dish soap and sponge
- Hand soap
- Household cleaners
- Garbage bags
- Pet food and supplies
- Scissors and box cutters
- Basic tools
- Tape measure
- Pen and paper
- Flashlight
- Tape
5. Keep Valuable Belongings With You
There are personal belongings that you do not want to load on the moving truck and these valuable items should stay with you throughout your move.
They include:
- Important documents and identification
- Electronic devices
- Jewellery
- Medications
- Cheque books
- Cash
- Credit and bank cards
- Keys
- Sentimental and irreplaceable items
6. Delegate Tasks
Moving is a massive undertaking that’s difficult to manage on your own. Accept help from family and friends by delegating tasks where possible. If your budget allows, consider hiring additional help, like a professional organizer or house cleaner, to ease your burden and get you settled into your new home with less stress.
Your Mississauga Real Estate Sales Representative
For more great tips like these, as well as up-to-the-minute real estate news in Mississauga and the Greater Toronto Area, be sure to follow along on Facebook and this blog. If you are thinking of buying or selling soon, please contact me, Deborah Clerk, Real Estate Sales Representative, ASA, with Keller Williams Real Estate Associates, Brokerage, to discuss your needs.
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