10 Tricks For Moving Day

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Moving can be one of the most stressful times in a family or individual's life. As somebody who has rented, renovated and sold homes over 11 times in the last decade, I understand the moving process (and headaches) very well.

Luckily, today I am going to share some helpful advice and tips to help make your next move that much easier, simpler and more seamless.

10 HELPFUL MOVING TIPS

1. Sign a lease or close escrow on your new home 3-4 days earlier than you have to be out of your current home. This will give you time to prep the new house before movers come on the big moving day.

2. Prep includes:

  • Get your mail forwarded a week in advance.

  • Set up your wifi and cable, this often can take a week to get somebody to come out so plan ahead. 

  •  Go to the grocery store and stock up on staples; fresh snacks and fresh produce. put them away into the new kitchen. This sets the tone for abundance and health and family. 

  • Paint or clean or freshen up - get house cleaned, sage (to cleanse), put some cute plants or pictures up that make things feel like home. I like to get at least one bathroom all set up.

  • Hang towels in bathrooms, put the paper towels and tissue paper someplace handy.  

  • If you have kids, maybe hang some photos around or get their rooms ready. 

  • Have a clean pair of sheets for beds in a linen closet ready to put on the mattresses on move in day. 

3. Put all of your everyday items in your car, do not pack them in boxes. Take everything over to the new home, set it all up before the movers come. Whether it be that morning or the night before, be sure to put everything away in drawers including:

  • toothbrushes & toothpaste

  • hairbrushes

  • a few bath towels and a few hand towels (if you haven't already brought them over). 

  • shampoo, conditioner, face wash, & soap

  • underwear, gym clothes, robe, pajamas, change of clothes, etc. (put together a gym bag with 2 sets of clothes)

  • phone chargers. 

  • everyday kitchen staples: coffee, milk, creamer, mugs, a few bowls, plates, a pan, a pot, cooking oil, wine glasses, spoons, forks, sharp knife. 

  • your main laptop computer. 

  • a box full of important things like stamps, envelopes, tape, first aid supplies, pens, check books and computer.

4. When packing, use dish towels and bathroom or beach towels to wrap things. Even sweaters or tshirts. That saves on packing tissue and also saves you a box or two.

5. Get used moving boxes by going to Nextdoor.com and either posting that you are in need of boxes or look around to see if anybody is trying to get rid of the boxes from their move. You can also go to grocery stores and ask for old boxes there as well. 

6. When packing put a star or symbol on boxes that aren't as urgent to unpack as the rest. Those boxes you can keep in the garage and unpack slowly over the coming few weeks. Some people think they want to unload everything at once but I'm telling you from experience that it will take you weeks to unpack so start with the most important and take your time. While you're taking your time unpacking at least keep the house feeling decluttered. People get anxious with crap all over the place. Keep it in the garage for as long as you can and park outside on street. I like my home to feel lived in but super clean during this stressful process so just having staples in the home is ideal. 

7. If you buy plastic bins to store things, I suggest you buy clear ones, that way you can see what is in there. Like Christmas decor or Halloween, etc. 

8. Take the sheets off the beds before movers pack the beds. You can make all the beds with clean sheets on move in day. 

9. You can leave items unpacked in drawers like dressers or night stands. Just be sure they aren't breakable and that movers either use painters tape or clear wrap to keep drawers closed. 

10. The movers matter. Be sure to hire a company that has really good reviews or that were referred to you by somebody you trust. Treat them well, feed them lunch and let them take break.