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Whether you are upgrading, downsizing, moving for a new job, or relocating for retirement, changing your living situation is seldom simple. Even if this big switch is something that you are looking forward to, the actual process of moving can be intimidating. However, with the right planning and preparation, your move can, in fact, be one of the easier parts of this big life transition.
We asked top industry experts for their advice on how to avoid being overwhelmed by the moving process. They’ve given us these tips and tricks on budgeting, planning, and packing, including how to handle everything from your toothbrush to your TV.
Planning for an Easy Move
One of the first steps in planning your move is to determine what your budget will be. Will you be hiring movers, or counting on help from friends and family? Do you have easy access to the materials you need for packing, or will you have to purchase some? Planning in advance is one of the most important strategies you can use to answer all of these questions and more. Here are our expert moving tips and tricks, covering everything from costs to timelines.
Ryan Carrigan, the co-founder of moveBuddha, has helped thousands of people successfully plan local and long-distance moves online. If your moving budget is tight, here are his tips on getting more for less.
If you're hiring a moving company, book the earliest morning time slot available. The moving crew will be fresh so they'll get the job done faster and typically do a better job. In addition, avoiding the weekends and end of the month can get you a better rate on a moving company or rental truck.
If you need packing materials, free boxes from liquor or grocery stores are a great way to save some cash, but make sure you get sturdy, good quality boxes. Flimsy boxes won't stack well and increase the chances of damage.
Kirsten Totin is a Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with Daryl Flood Relocation and Logistics. Totin helps businesses understand and solve logistical problems, in addition to managing marketing, customer relationships and brand reputation. From comparison shopping to detailed lists of charges, here are the things she thinks you should look for when planning your move.
Moving can seem daunting and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! There are many things you can do to [make your transition a smooth one]. A successful move begins with planning.
Give yourself ample time to find a reputable mover, pack your things and notify the appropriate organizations of your relocation.
Obtain three moving quotes from different companies, and compare them to ensure you pay a fair price for your move. It’s important to ask about valuation, additional charges and delivery windows.
Melissa Pollock is a lifestyle and organization expert from PODS, the popular moving container and portable storage provider. There are multiple options to consider for moving help. Be sure to take the time to shop around and find the service that is right for your unique situation.
Moving is exciting yet stressful, but a little preparation can make a big difference. Eight weeks before the big day is when you want to do some research and decide how to move your belongings to your new home. As you’ll quickly learn, there are several solutions to consider, like moving with portable containers.
Keep in mind that moving companies’ calendars tend to fill up rather quickly, especially during the summer. The sooner you schedule your moving date the better. If you’re using a company like PODS, you’ll have a bit more flexibility and can have your container arrive as early as a few days, weeks, or even a month before the day you’d like it picked up.
Packing Tips for Moving
Now that you have your moving help booked and your timeline planned, it’s time to get packing. Although it may seem simple, many of us struggle with packing. When surveying all of your many possessions, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and not know where to start. Here is Melissa Pollock’s advice on when, where, and how to pack for an easy and efficient move.
At least six weeks before moving day is when you want to begin to declutter and organize your possessions. Start with the attic, basement, garage, and other storage areas. Separate your unused stuff into three categories: donate, sell, or toss. If an item is damaged, get rid of it. If you haven’t used it in a year, you don’t need it. Don’t forget to measure your furniture to see if it’ll fit in your new space, especially if you’re downsizing.
Jaymie Shook is Director of Marketing Communications at Wheaton World Wide Moving, where she advises moving agents on their marketing efforts, and creates and tracks marketing communications strategies. Here are her five best packing tips.
- A room-by-room approach is the most organized way to begin packing. Each room should have an established work zone for packing and storing completed cartons.
- Hundreds of CDs and DVDs make for a heavy box! Consider transferring your music and movie collections to an app, such as iTunes, so you can access your collection electronically. Sell the hard copies for cash or donate these and other items that are no longer needed to your favorite charity. Itemize each donation and keep a receipt - it may help you qualify for a tax deduction.
- Pack heavy items on the bottom of a box and then fill up with lighter items. Use smaller boxes for heavier items such as books, cast-iron cookware, etc.
- Put together a cleaning kit so you have everything you need to clean before you leave the house. Movers aren't allowed to move many cleaning products so you may have to replace them once you arrive at your new home.
- Similarly, combine items you will need immediately upon arrival in one box. Designate it as "Unload First." Include necessities like toilet paper, paper towels, cups, plastic silverware, soap, etc.
Once you have organized your possessions and packed your boxes, it’s time to add yet another layer of efficiency: color coding. Kirsten Totin explains how:
Once you have packed, use a color coding system for your boxes. Choose a color for each room and label the boxes with the appropriate color label. This will help you stay organized.
How to Survive Moving Day
With all of your possessions packed and the movers on their way, the big day is finally here! Amongst the stacks of boxes and many chaotic moving parts, it’s possible to maintain your sanity and make great progress with a little advanced planning. Here’s how:
Nina Bretlinger is a Senior Product Marketing Manager at Puls, a home services company focused on making easy, high-quality repairs and installations of technology like TV and home entertainment systems, appliances, garage doors, and smart home devices.
When packing up your flatscreen TV, keep it upright. It's best to transport it in the original box, or cover it with a blanket and tie something around the blanket so the glass doesn't get scratched. When you're picking up the TV, make sure to grab the top and bottom rather than the sides. When you grab a television by the sides, you may be more inclined to squeeze it and cause damage.
If you are mounting the TV in your new home, it's helpful to get it on the wall quickly so that box doesn't clutter your living room. If you don't have time to DIY or you're scared about damaging the walls of your new home, call Puls. Many customers (like this one) have Puls mount their televisions the very same day they move in! Be sure to use a stud finder before mounting any TVs, shelves, or other wall decor.
Finally, moving is a great time to add smart devices to your life or upgrade your home security. You'll be setting up new Wifi anyway, so you might as well add some Wifi-enabled devices to the network!
Ryan Carrigan, of move Buddha shares one last tip that may seem small, but will provide a large amount of convenience and comfort on this busy day.
Pack an overnight box. Put all your toiletries, medicines and other personal items into a special box or suitcase that you take with you. This way you can find your toothbrush after an exhausting day of moving.
An Easy Transition to a New Beginning
Although it may not feel like it when faced with all of the logistics, a move can be the start of a great new beginning. Careful planning, comparison shopping, and efficient packing can all add up to a painless move and an easy transition to your new surroundings. If you’re thinking about a big move and want to explore your home loan options, take the first step and contact a Pennymac Loan Officer or begin your online application today.
The views, information, or opinions expressed in this blog do not necessarily represent those of PennyMac Loan Services, LLC and its employees. The inclusion of links to third party sites is not intended to assign importance to those sites or to the information contained therein, nor is it intended to endorse, recommend, or favor any views expressed, or commercial products or services offered on these third party sites, or the vendors sponsoring the sites.
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