Things to Remember in the Moving Frenzy

After offers and counter offers, what seem like endless signatures and initials, successful home inspection negotiations… whew, you sold your house, congrats!  Now, the realization that you have to move out hits you. Here are some things to remember as your moving date approaches.

Here’s some advice from a veteran mover (21 times), take a day or two to chill out, then make a comprehensive list. Breaking the work down into bite-sized chunks will keep you from getting overwhelmed. You can attack the list one item or one room at a time. I’ve got some other helpful tips for moving:

Here are 10 things you might not remember in your moving frenzy:

1.  Change the address on all your subscriptions.  Magazines, Netflix, book- or whatever-of the month, etc. Most of these can be done on the company’s website. If you order anything online or in the mail, you may want to have it sent to a friend or relative’s house, just in case it gets delayed, or in case it comes earlier than expected and you haven’t arrived at your new home yet.

2.  The post office has a set of postcards that are handy for change-of-address if it cannot be done online, or when you pay your bills. And while you’re there, be sure to put in a change of address request.

3.  Start eating the food in the freezer. It’s so much easier not to have to transport it. If you’re the super organized type, having freezer meals is incredibly helpful…they keep you from ordering take-out more than you really want to.

4.  Start planning for your pet’s move. A lot of people forget these family members. It may be easier to have them boarded for a few days, or stay with friends or family.

5. Stock up on packing materials. You can find biodegradable packing peanuts now, that don’t add to the landfill. There a lots of everyday items that you may not realize make for good packing: Popcorn (air popped), old sheets, blankets and towels, old magazines, or your old collection of T-shirts.

6.  Return library books and any other borrowed items. No need to move them. If you’re moving far, don’t forget to collect the items you’ve loaned. If you’re moving across town, don’t bother. Why move them twice…You can collect those items after the move!

7.  Try not to schedule Doctors and Dentists appointments within a month before or after your move.

8.  Pack a change of clothes to carry with you as you move. Sometimes there are delays with moving companies, best to be prepared. Pack an extra set in case the packing and unpacking is an extra dirty job.

9. Pack a “first-night” suitcase or box for everyone. When you are ready to get to bed after what will most likely be an exhausting day, you won’t have to scramble to hunt for what you need.

10.  Keep a supply of medicines with you, including over the counter items for minor annoyances like headaches or sunburns.

11.  Call your friends and family to let them know you’ve arrived in your new home safely. To save yourself the time, ask one very special friend to spread the word, then you’ll only have to make one call. And then again, there’s always Facebook.

12. If you’re moving house plants, you’ll want to plan several weeks ahead. First re-pot them into plastic or unbreakable pots. After a week or two when they’ve “settled in” to their new pots, you’ll want to prune them to be as compact as possible. Wrap them in an old sheet to minimize breakage and leaf loss and pack them snugly in a box. Don’t water them within a couple days of the move, you don’t want a dripping wet plant.

Thoughtful Items:

1.  Leave some toilet paper for the incoming family.

2.  Water the plants before you go.

3.  Mow the grass one more time a couple of days before you close.

4. Gather up all your appliance manuals if you haven’t already, and put them in the pantry or in a drawer. The new owners will be pleased.

When planning for a big move, it’s not the big things we forget, it’s often the small things that lead to future inconveniences. These are things to remember in the moving frenzy, I hope this list is helpful. For more moving tips, Martha Stewart’s website is the ultimate resource for lists, timelines, and printable checklists.