Moving house is often a stressful, daunting and long-dreaded process. Be it doesn’t have to be! Make the transition as easy as possible with these 10 must-know tips.
Scott McGillivray is a real estate expert and host of HGTV Canada’s Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays.
Pack the Kitchen First
People often want to leave this busy room until last, but the kitchen is the most complicated room in the house! It’s full of oddly shaped and tough-to-pack items. So do yourself a favour and cross the kitchen off the list first. Just be sure to leave out a few dishes and other essentials you’ll need to use right up until moving day. See here for 12 things renters immediately judge when viewing a rental.
Pack One Room at a Time
In order to keep things organized, pack things up one room at a time, and keep all the items from each individual room together. Label your boxes carefully so the movers know exactly where to put them in your new space. This will make your life a lot easier when it comes time to unpack. Read this genius expert advice for winning bidding wars!
Purge While You Pack
There’s no better time to get rid of those excess items in your home than when moving. As you pack, take the opportunity to de-clutter and toss anything you no longer need or use. Sell what you can, and donate the rest. Not sure where to begin? Here are 14 things to rid from your wardrobe immediately.
Control Cords
I cannot stress this tip enough – when you’re unplugging your electronics, wrap and label all of the cords. Yes, it’s a tedious job, but so worth it. Also, it’s not a bad idea to take photos of your electronics before you unplug everything. This way, you can see how to put everything back together when you unpack your belongings in your new space.
Introduce Yourself to the Movers
Sounds obvious, right? A lot of people get so stressed on moving day that they forget common etiquette. Remember, these are the people you are trusting with all of your worldly possessions – and they’re working hard! So, take the time to introduce yourself and make friends. It will make the process smoother for everyone involved. Overall, anything you can do to limit stress on moving day is a good thing. Here are 15 money-saving tips for first-time homebuyers.
Protect Your Valuables
Wrapping items carefully in bubble wrap is not enough. My advice? It’s always a good idea to insure your valuables and precious breakables when using a moving company. Check the policy and find out who should be packing items and how packing should be done, in order to make sure you have the proper coverage.
Pack an Overnight Bag
When you arrive in your new home, chances are you’ll feel totally disorganized. Make your first night easier by packing an overnight bag with all your essentials (clothes for the next day, a toothbrush, toiletries etc). Make sure you pack one for every member of the family. Kids should have some comforting toys and books to keep them occupied. And don’t forget the pets! Don’t let the dog bowls and food get lost amongst all the boxes. Here are five more important tips to keep in mind when moving with kids.
Pack a ‘First Day’ Box
Along with an overnight bag, you should have a box full of items you’ll need for your first morning. These products might include a coffee maker, a few dishes and any other essentials to help get yourself going on day one.
Unpack Strategically
Unpacking should be just as strategic as packing. My tip is to unpack the bedroom first, because chances are you’ll be exhausted and you’ll want to be able to get a good night’s sleep after the day’s work. After that, tackle the kitchen and main bathroom. When it comes time to decorate, read up on these 8 super easy ways to add character to your bedroom.
Keep Your Receipts
My final tip is to not forget that some moving expenses are tax deductible. Hang on to any receipts in case you’re able to claim them on your income tax the following year.
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