It’s here! The Ultimate Moving Guide!
We combined some of the top moving tips with Keller Williams’ extensive moving checklist resource to provide you with a comprehensive outline, so you don’t miss a thing
So, let’s dive right in:
Two Months Out
(Essentially, this is at the time of when your offer is accepted, or a deal is executed/signed)
Declutter! Sort and organize your belongings based on what to throw away, donate, give away to family/friends, sell or keep. As you make these piles, plan for what you’ll need: a dumpster, local donation drops, contact your people, organize a yard sale, or list your items online to sell, etc.
Create a portable file or binder with pockets for documenting your moving plans, such as receipts, storing estimates & quotes, measurements of furniture, etc. Why do this? It’ll help you stay organized but can also be used towards a deductible for your taxes!
Collect all your documents and make sure they are in a secure location. This includes birth certificate(s), marriage certificate(s), insurance documents, vehicle records, medical records, etc. Smart Tip: Make copies and add to your moving binder in case anything goes missing.
Determine if you’ll be hiring movers. If so, get at least three estimates but no more than four. It’ll be easy to keep second guessing your choice the more comparables you do – so stick to the top 3-4 to choose from. Also consider any insurance coverage needed for transport.
Purchase and gather all the packing materials you will need. As you were sorting out your belongings, you should have gotten an idea of how big of boxes you’ll need, how many peanuts to fill the box, etc. Other items you may need include are packaging tape, labels, Sharpie markers, plastic Ziploc bags of various sizes, etc.
**Moving out of state? Be sure to add making travel arrangements to this section/time slot. This can be airline tickets, hotel reservations, car rentals, etc.
One Month Before
(Basically, at the halfway point of most transaction timelines)
Transfer your coverages (such as life & healthcare insurance) as able to your new address. You want it to be active while you are moving.
Get through your canned and frozen foods. By eliminating these foods now, you can reduce the need to spend more on food and how much you’ll need to move.
Cancel or change any services you have at your current address. This can range from lawn care service to telephone/cable. You may be asked to provide the names of some of your utility carriers around this time as well so keep that information handy.
Now is the time to file a forwarding address with your post office – this way you can ensure you don’t miss any mail.
You’ll be transferring funds in order to complete the purchase of your new home, so be sure to talk with your bank on the steps to do this far in advance as it can sometimes take 2-4 weeks for online accounts to be set up.
Depending on where you’re moving to, consider getting traveler’s checks to help cover any unknown moving fees and to use for necessities during the first couple of weeks of your move.
PACK! If you haven’t started putting items away in boxes or bins, you don’t want to wait any longer. Start with things you don’t need, such as off-season clothes, decorations, etc.
Pack by room and do not combine items from different rooms into one box. This way you can clearly label boxes for the room they belong in making unpacking so much easier!
Other helpful packing tips include:
Pack boxes to 50lbs or less for ease
Pack based on weight, heavy object first, light objects on top – or in separate boxes. Reinforce the bottom of boxes with heavier items for added strength.
Cut down on the number of boxes by making use of what you have: baskets, laundry bins, tote bags, hampers, suitcases, etc.
Cut handles into the boxes to make it easier to lift.
Don’t move flammable, corrosive, explosive items at all – this means paint, gasoline, or ammunition.
Stack plates upright on their sides, not flat or layer them with extra padding in between each plate. Anything with fragile items, such as china, should be labeled with large red lettering FRAGILE!!
Consider using clothing, sheets, or towels to protect breakable items.
You can number the boxes along with labeling with what room they belong in. Then have a checklist to correspond the number of the box with what was packed inside of it. That way you don’t have to go searching through boxes to figure out what you have. This depends on the person and the amount of stuff you are packing.
Two Weeks Before
Do you still have things you need to remove from your house. Get that done now – host your yard sale(s), drop off any donations, get the dumpster, etc.
Even if you’re hiring movers, you’ll want to get your vehicles tuned up so you can minimize any problems on the road on the day of your move.
Back up any important computer files if you don’t do that normally, just in case on the off chance something happens to your hard drive during the move.
Have any prescriptions? Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting them refilled so you’ll have plenty on hand during the weeks/months you’ll be settling into your new place.
Update your address with the following people:
Doctor, Dentist, Therapist, Specialists
Veterinarian
Accountant, Lawyer, Financial Advisor, Broker
Insurance Companies
Bank – if not closing/transferring accounts
Credit Card Companies
Magazines & Newspapers
State & Federal Tax Authorities
Employers, Co-workers, Friends & Family
School, College, Alma Mater
Church
Store Memberships
Clean your house as needed. Whether you’re leaving a house or an apartment, there is a certain standard of cleanliness that will be expected to ensure there are no issues at closing or to receive deposits. If you’re unsure, talk to your Realtor!
One Week Before
Final car check-up: ensure it has a full tank, check the fluids, check tire pressure, etc.
Pack an emergency bag(s) (“survival kit”) with necessities for the first few days of the move so you have these items easily accessible. Be sure to include:
Any medications
Special foods and/or snacks
Toiletries and cosmetics
Clothes
Disposable plates and silverware
Bedding & towels
Pet food and other pet essentials (toys, meds, bed, etc.)
Office supplies (at least pen & paper)
If you’re flying, you’ll need a suitcase with some of the above amongst other things but for a longer period (plan for at least a week’s worth of items). Also be sure you have your tickets in a safe place that you can access easily. If you made a moving binder, one of those pockets is a great place for them!
Finish whatever packing is remaining other than the essentials that you’ll need for your final week here.
Do laundry – this way the clothes you unpack will be clean and ready to be put away/hung up when you get to your new home. Smart Tip – Consider keeping clothes on hangers instead of having to pack and unpack everything. Put a garbage bag over a handful to keep them clean during the move.
Depending on the extent of your move, your pet may benefit from a tranquilizer or calming chews to help them handle the stress and chaos of moving. Talk with your veterinarian to determine the best course of action for your pet.
As the week progresses, start packing up and disassembling items as needed: such as computers, home theater systems, artwork, lawn furniture, tables, couches, grills, tools, etc. Take a picture of how they were set up, including any wiring, so you have a frame of reference for when you reassemble at your new house.
Do any final cleaning, including the oven, refrigerator, pool, etc.
1 Day Before the Move
Confirm utilities, phone & internet services have been activated at your new home.
To protect the floors and other features in your current home, lay down old rugs and sheets and place padding on the corners and stairways.
If these items aren’t already packed away in your “survival kit” or suitcase where they can be accessed easily, be sure to put all of them together in the same box/bin or at least in specifically marked containers to ensure they are not lost during the move:
Keys to your new home, car keys, etc.
Purse, wallet, checkbooks, cash, traveler’s checks, sunglasses
Chargers for phone(s), tablet(s), and/or laptop(s)
Map of your new town and/or directions to your new home in physical form
Documentation from the sale or any notices/copies of lease from your rental
Insurance policies and other important documentation
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, including cold/flu medicines.
Back-up computer files and other electronic accessories
Personal hygiene products and any medical equipment
Flashlight, batteries, and tools.
Secure dresser drawers using Press n’ Seal, tape or another adhesive to ensure they don’t open randomly during the move. Be aware of the material of your furniture before adding any adhesive.
Defrost your refrigerator and freezer and wipe up any liquid.
Moving Day!
If your pet is taking a tranquilizer or calming chews, give it to them an hour before the chaos begins. It is advised that you stop feeding them four hours before it’s time to get on the road but keep water handy (check with your veterinarian).
Separate the bags/boxes that you’ll be keeping with you in your car and/or will want immediate access to everything else. If you have movers coming, be sure to have the pile for them to load the truck clearly separated so they take the right items.
When everything is removed/packed up, take a walk through your home one last time to ensure nothing is left behind that wasn’t agreed upon. Open cabinets, drawers, and look behind doors. Clean up any messes made during the move.
If you’re a renter, take photos before you leave so you have proof of the condition you left it in.
Hit the road! Take your time and drive responsibility. As exciting as it is that you’ll be starting a new chapter today, you want to be sure to get to your destination safe and sound. Enjoy the journey!
When you arrive at your new home, direct the movers where you want items to go. Check everything to ensure that nothing is missing, and no damage was done before you sign anything. Be thorough – open boxes and check valuable items.
If you can, pre-clean the bathroom and kitchen before you start putting stuff into those places. Get a new shower curtain liner and stock up on toilet paper and towels. At the end of the day, you’ll want to take a nice long shower so have everything ready.
Make sure you pet gets food and water!
Find your “getting settled boxes” – you know the ones with all the essentials and items you wanted immediate access to? Unpack them first.
We hope this guide helps you keep track of everything during your move. As local experts with years of experience, we understand how stressful making a move can be. That is why we pay special attention to all of the details of your real estate transaction in order to ensure no detail is missed. Partner with our family for your next move!
Fill out the form below to let us know what your plans are so we can best assist you!