Most of you know that we will be moving house soon, but what most of you don’t know is that I have been finding ‘the move’ a very daunting thing… Where do I start? What do I do first and more… It seems that I am not the only person in my friend circle that battles with the whole ‘moving’ issue. So when Kurt Jacobson, a snowboarding enthusiast with a background in real estate got in contact to write a guest post and I saw his resume, I was desperate for some advice! Having moved 11 times in the past nine years, he thrives on helping others learn from his experiences. When he’s not out shredding the mountain, he writes about all things home related for the website HouseHunter.co.
Kurt’s Tips for an Organised Move
Start early
Start your moving process way early. Many people fail to understand how much stuff they’ve actually accumulated over the years and tend to put off packing till the last minute, creating a lot of unwarranted stress and tension. To avoid such a situation, go through the things you don’t use on a daily basis at least four weeks before moving day. You can also begin by putting away seasonal clothes and other items that you have stored up somewhere. And don’t forget to start using up all perishable goods and items from your kitchen and pantry.
Sort and purge
Go through your closets and determine what you want to keep and what should be donated or sent to the ‘toss’ pile. If you haven’t worn that shirt in the last three years, chances are that you are not going to at all. Give away your unwanted stuff to charity, sell them on-line, or host a garage sale. Who knows, you may even end up making enough money to fund your moving expenses!
Get a checklist
Make a moving checklist outlining everything that you need to do before, during and after your move. Put up a copy of it on your refrigerator for easy reference as the moving process starts gaining pace.
Keep a moving binder
Keep track of all moving-related paperwork, documents, estimates, business cards and bills by putting them in a moving folder or binder. Don’t forget to add a detailed list of all the things that you are moving.
Do your homework
Start researching moving companies at least a month in advance. Though it may turn out to be more expensive, always choose an experienced firm with an established reputation. Ask for references and go online to check out customer testimonials and reviews. Don’t forget to find out what insurance is included in the moving costs. If you are moving with kids, start researching schools and daycare facilities close to your new home.
Send out notifications of change of address
Fill out change of address forms at the post office if you have a post box. You will also want to inform bank accounts and credit card companies of the change in mailing address.
It’s time to pack
Gather all packing supplies in one big box so that you don’t have to go running for packing tape, labels or markers each time. Tackle one room at a time because it is going to be easy for you at the time of unpacking. Label each box correctly with its contents and keep a master list with you in your moving folder.
Carry your essentials with you
Pack all your essentials in a separate bag to carry with you at the time of moving. In addition to the things that you need to survive the first few days after moving, this essentials bag should also contain your important papers, certificates and jewelry.
Moving need not always bring to mind stress, chaos and confusion. With proper planning and homework, anyone can ensure a smooth, organised move into a new home. Hope that you found this article useful, I did!
Images: Carike Ridout (view my full house tour click here)
Let's get social
Instagram: @lovilee_zaTwitter: @lovilee_za
Facebook: @lovileeblog
or subscribe to never miss out on any new articles in this link.
Comments are closed.