What should you be doing while contingencies are being finalized?
The Answer: Prepare for your move!
Preparing early can do a variety of things for you, from saving you time and stress during an already chaotic time to helping you stay on track during the contingency period. Generally speaking, you want to start the moving process anywhere from six to eight weeks before your actual moving date, and you want to do it in a concise, planned manner.
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Save yourself the time and stress by planning ahead. A checklist would be a good idea to make sure nothing that needs to be done is forgotten. Next, make a timeline and set deadlines for each item. For instance, you want to make sure you're completely packed the day before the move, so that day is all about moving things, instead of having to scramble to finish packing and then move.
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Giving your current living space a quick go-over can help give you an idea of where to get started, what you want to take, sell, donate, or throw out. Consolidating everything you want to donate or throw out will make it easier to handle in the upcoming weeks. Cutting down on what you have to take with you will also streamline the actual moving process and make packing less of a chore.
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A moving company? By yourself with a moving van or truck? Phoning a friend for some assistance and paying them in pizza? All of these options are doable, but require different planning. For a moving company, you're going to want to shop around for the best possible price, but also do your homework to make sure the company is reputable. You can also ask your realtor if they have any suggestions, as they likely come into contact with many different moving companies during the course of their work. (Psst, we do!!) Moving by yourself or with friends will likely require the use of a rented van or truck, as well as the ability to drive one. All the above will also need to be accounted for in your moving budget as well.
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Boxes and shipping tape are probably the most helpful supplies for moving. Bags, especially large trash bags, can be useful for clothing. Your best bet will be to get more supplies than you think you'll need. Having extra supplies will be a minor annoyance when compared to running out mid-packing and having to pause the process to go fetch more tape, boxes, or both.
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As far as making packing less of a headache, there are a few things you can do to make your life easier. Linens and towels can be used to line boxes or protect fragile things. Pictures of any wire setup can be a good reference for when you have to set them up in your new abode, while color coding the boxes with stickers can help sort them quickly and easily once you get them where they need to go. Provided you plan to keep your dresser, don't bother emptying it - just shrink-wrap it shut, transport, and remove the plastic. All your clothing will have arrived safe and sound at your new home - and it'll be one less thing for you to unpack and set up! Prepare an "overnight" bag for your first night in your new home, so you can settle in and sleep comfortably without having to figure out which box has your toothbrush, which trash bag has your pajamas and which box your pillowcases and sheets are protecting breakables in.
Moving can be a chaotic and stressful time - but it doesn't have to be! Keep the points above in mind when you start preparing to move and you should have an easier time transitioning to your new home.
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