Move Out with Ease
When it comes to buying and selling homes, there can be a lot of hidden costs involved. Between making home improvements and closing costs, you may be looking for ways to save here and there. Hiring a moving company can alleviate stress and make things simple, but it can also be pricey. If you decide to save in this way, here are a few steps you should take to make moving yourself as easy as possible.
Step One: Make a list of your supplies
Having the right tools will make packing up your belongings so much easier! Here are a few key items you will need:
● Quality moving boxes of all sizes. (Pro tip: check out your neighborhood’s Facebook page to see if anyone is giving away moving boxes - this will save you money too!)
● A box tape dispenser
● Packing paper
● Saran wrap
● Moving towels
● Furniture dolly
● Sharpie markers
● Boxcutter
Step Two: Donate and Declutter
If you don’t want to move it, don’t pack it! Decluttering may feel like a time-consuming step in the process, but it will end up saving you time on the backend when you’re not having to unpack boxes full of items you don’t want. As you pack, make piles of things to throw out and/or donate.
Step Three: Organize
This box should be used to place items that you want to know exactly where they are when you get to your new home. Items in this box could include toilet paper, cleaning supplies, a general toolset, paper plates/utensils, a change of clothes, and any valuables you don’t want to be lost in the shuffle.
Pro Tip: Pack this box last and put it in the front seat of your car so you know exactly where it is.
Step Four: Be Strategic
Next, work your way through your house room by room. You want to make sure boxes are generally full and packed tightly and then sealed well. After each box is packed, make sure to label which room it will be going to in the new house. It may also be a good idea to write generally what’s inside the box (trust me, you’ll thank yourself later when you’re looking for that one elusive item).
Here are a few additional packing tips to keep in mind:
● Pack like items together. This will make it easier to fit items in the right size box and will make unpacking easier when the time comes.
● Use sectioned boxes for glasses and stemware. This will keep them as protected as possible.
● Defrost your refrigerator 24-48 hours before moving. Pack all of the items that need to stay cool in coolers with ice packs.
● The one exception to the room-by-room rule is decorations. Consider packing decor together so you’ll have a clean slate and fresh eyes at your new house. Maybe something you used in a bedroom might work better in your new living room!
● Take pictures of the backs of electronics so you know what cords go where.
● Make sure to place any screws or small pieces you remove in baggies and then attach them to what they came from. This will make reassembly much easier.
Step Five: Loading Party
Lastly, it’s time to load up! Whether you rent a u-haul or recruit willing friends with trucks, loading up is the final step in the process (until the unloading at least haha). It’s always a good idea to start with large items first (fridge, washer, dryer, couches, beds, etc). Then, you can fill smaller items and boxes around the large items.
Next Steps
Whether you move yourself or hire a moving company, there are a lot of steps in the process before getting to that point. I’d love to help you navigate it all. Reach out anytime at traceyrice@kw.com or 405-226-3770 for help buying and/or selling your home!