Moving? Tips to Make Your Move out a Breeze

Whether you’re moving across the world or just down the block, one thing remains the same: the moving out process is a lot to handle. The thought of packing up your entire existence, hiring movers (or playing to the sympathies of friends) and cleaning every inch of your previous home can send anyone into a flight of frustration. In fact, many believe that moving out is one of the most stressful things that someone can put themselves through.  Moving out is much like a puzzle: if one piece doesn’t fit, it won’t have the right outcome. However, devising a finite plan of attack for the move out and utilizing some key moving tips can help alleviate much of the stress.

4 Moving Tips to Make Your Move out Easier

A nicely packed array of boxes is just one step in the moving process. Photo by Nicolas Huk.

Before You Move

So now you’ve decided to move on from your current residence – hopefully to bigger and better things – what’s the first step you should take? Well, before you tackle your existing property you’ll want to ensure that your new home is ready for you to move in.

Initially you should set up the transfer of your services and utilities to your new property for your move-in date. No one wants to turn the key to their new home and have no electricity! This is as simple as calling your utility company and giving them your new address and moving date. This will enable you to avoid any unnecessary charges and stress. The same process should be followed for your cable/internet services and mail.

Further, if you have any type of home security system on your new property, you should ensure that is active and alarmed while you’re still sorting out your old home. With over 2.15 million burglaries occurring each year, it’s important to make sure your new home is protected during your move.

Secure That Deposit

When planning and strategizing your move, don’t forget about the state of your current home. This is especially true if you were required to pay a security deposit upon move-in; you don’t want to risk losing what can be a sizable chunk of change. You also need to make sure the date of your move out is cleared with your landlord and that subletting is approved.

If your landlord has issued a move-in/move-out checklist then it’s imperative to go through it with a fine-toothed comb. These checklists range from actions such as cleaning out the kitchen cupboards to patching up any holes in the walls; security deposits can be directly based off this criteria.

“You’d be surprised how often tenants leave properties in utter disarray,” says experienced landlord Matthew Hough. “If one of my tenants takes the time and effort to polish up the property, I never hesitate to refund the deposit in full. Tenants just get so caught up in getting to their new property that they ignore their old home.”

It is also recommended that you attend the move-out inspection with your landlord. This will enable you to face any discrepancies head on and avoid what could be a long and tedious process.

Pack Like a Pro

Now that you’ve devised a plan for moving into your new home and have figured out how to take care of your current property, it’s time to pack. Before you decide to crawl in a corner and sob at the thought of packing up all four of your 60” flat screen TVs, take a minute to breathe and think like a pro.

First of all, you’re going to need boxes and tape – an insane amount of boxes and tape. Don’t underestimate the amount of things that you’ll need to pack. Do yourself a favor and get more than you think you need.

To help you figure out how many boxes you’ll need for your move out, you can use one of the many moving apps for your smart phone. One such app, Move Advisor, is a free app will help you itemize your entire home, plan a moving timeline, and even figure out the weight and volume of all your boxes.

Once you’ve mapped out your packing strategy, you can begin safely packing away your things. A great way to conserve space and protect your breakables is to wrap things like plates and glassware with your t-shirts or towels.

For more delicate clothing items, place them on hangers and wrap them in plastic – much like you’d see at your local dry cleaners. This will protect your clothes and make for a much easier unpacking experience.

Lastly, don’t forget to clearly label each box with its contents and location for your new home. That is one of the most important moving tips for your convenience!  Save yourself from the task of having 50 unopened boxes strewn across your new living room. No one wants to spend hours digging for those Bluetooth speakers when you want to blast some Bruce Springsteen to celebrate the move.

Should You Hire Movers?

The last piece of the puzzle is how to get your things from point A to point B. The options are either a complete DIY move or hiring some additional help. The choice here really depends on your situation. If you have a competent crew of friends and family with access to a truck then this could save you quite a bit of money.

However, for some, the less thought they have to put into the actual moving process, the better. If you’re going this route then do your fair share of price matching and comparison with local movers. The moving costs can escalate quickly.

Whether you hire moving professionals or not, the moving tips here should ensure that the process is as smooth as that new hard wood floor you’ve been looking forward to.  Now, that just leaves talking to the kids about moving!  What are your favorite moving tips?