There's a wonderful feeling you get when you know you're going to move into a new home. You get excited when you start to think about how you’re going to decorate or how much you’ll save in mortgage costs. Sometimes the hope of better neighbors or a better school for the kids gives you that wonderful feeling. However, how do most of us feel about the actual moving of furniture, belongings and packing boxes? Not good, right? That’s when you get an overwhelming feeling and start to wonder where you should start or start to wonder if you’ll be able to move everything in time. “The only way to make a smooth transition into a new space is if you stay organized” says Sara Barba of XOXOrganizing in Orange County, California. She suggests:
· Look at your calendar: Give yourself 10-15 days to prepare for the big move. If you allow yourself extra time for delays, you have a better chance of resolving issues that come up during the move.
· Get the right tools: You’ll need to arrange for a truck, buy or borrow boxes, get bubble wrap, newspapers and a few thick markers (keep in the same location).
· The first box: Start with the furniture or items your family uses least (these boxes should go in the very back of the truck). Note: this is the best time to donate some of the clutter you’ve been collecting over the years. The furniture or items your family uses the most will be packed last and will be the first to be unpacked in your new location.
· Mark each box: Make sure, at least, two sides are marked so if you have friends helping you, they’ll be able to clearly identify each box and its destination. Make sure to clearly label the donation boxes so your personal boxes aren’t accidentally given away.
· Unpack in your new home: Start with the room you use the most, like the kitchen and bathroom. “Delegate duties to the kids”, Barba recommends. “Even if it’s something as simple as dusting furniture or unpacking towels and placing them in the linen closet.”, Barba adds. Play your favorite music and start unpacking! You’ll find that even though it’s a lot of work to relocate, you can make things a little easier by being organized.
Once you begin the home buying/selling process, you will receive my Moving Guide & Check List, made available exclusively to my clients. If you have any questions or comments, email me at: wiserealestateinfo@yahoo.com