Month: October 2019

Did you know, over 35 million Americans move each year? With careful planning, it doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are five things to avoid when planning your move.

1. Waiting and Not Planning Ahead

Moving is a tremendous job, and procrastinating, without a plan, can make it even harder than it has to be. 

Whether moving from a studio apartment or a four-bedroom home, there are a lot of steps involved. Everything goes more smoothly when there is a plan in place. 

Create a notebook or binder and put your daily checklist in it. Use your notebook and checklist to plan everything from getting your moving estimates to scheduling your utility services.

2. Hoarding Too Much Stuff

There is no need to bring unnecessary items to your new home. If you have accumulated lots of stuff over the years, this is the perfect time to unload some of it.

Before packing, go room to room and sift through your possessions. Ask yourself three questions:

1. Do I love it?

2. Do I really use it?

3. Would I repurchase it?

If your answer to these questions is no, donate or sell the item. Eliminating the clutter will save time and money in your move. Don’t let your excess clutter get in the way of a stress-free moving experience.

3. Forgetting to Pack an Essentials Box 

When you get to your new place, there are things you’re going to need right away that you’ll wish you hadn’t packed. Towels, toiletries, necessary kitchen utensils, sleeping clothes, etc. Even if you’ve labeled your boxes you could still spend hours going through them all to collect everything you’re going to need just to survive your first night.

Avoid this inconvenience entirely by packing an essentials box. Include a couple of changes of clothes and all your necessary toiletries and medications. Also, include cleaning supplies, a small tool kit, phone chargers, towels, basic kitchen essentials, and snacks. 

Your essentials box will be your go-to box the first day or so in your new home.

4.  Forgetting to Label Your Boxes

Labeling your boxes is essential when packing for a move.

Be sure to label what each box contains, how it should be handled, and which room the box should be placed in at your new home. If a box contains delicate items, make sure those are properly packed and label the box “fragile” so that the movers know they should take special care when transporting it.

If you take care to label your boxes thoroughly, you will save time and frustration when it’s time to move and unpack them.

5. Packing Last-Minute 

It can be tempting to leave things to the last minute when moving, and that includes packing!  

If you wait until the last minute, you can end up overwhelmed and stressed. You run the risk of not packing things properly and possibly even running out of time. You don’t want the movers arriving while you are still packing!

Make a schedule for you and your family of when to pack up each room and about how long it will take. Allow yourself a few extra hours for packing each room, because it usually tends to take longer than you expect. That might mean doing a little every day in the weeks and months leading up to move.

Come moving day you’ll be relieved you had a plan.

Home Sweet Home

There’s no doubt that moving is a stressful process. It’s often the test of patience and tolerance for families and friends. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can smooth out the process for everyone involved.

Are you in the market for a professional moving company to take the stress out of your move? Contact our team of moving specialists today and see how we can help you. Also, if you’re looking for other expert moving tips and tricks, then check out our blog. 

Moving can be exciting, especially if you’re moving to a new area or perhaps a new state. However, relocating can also be very challenging, both technically and emotionally.

There are a lot of things to consider when moving. For instance, there may be changes in weather, property values, and many other differences. Perhaps you’re moving out of an urban area, as many Americans have recently.

Regardless of where you’re moving to and where you’re coming from, here are things to consider.

1. Cost of Buying and Living

Every house on the market has a price tag. But there’s more than just the actual cost of buying a home to consider. 

Before purchasing your new home, it’s essential to examine the additional costs of moving to a home in a new area. In addition to your purchase price, consider the following costs: property taxes, insurance, and homeowner’s association fees.

Also, what is the cost of living in the area? Is it manageable for you? Can you afford the local cost of groceries and gasoline? What, if any, changes will you need to make to be more comfortable in your new setting?

 Keep in mind that costs range from state to state.

2. Culture and Lifestyle

In many ways, your lifestyle depends on the culture of the area you live in.

Select an area that aligns with your lifestyle goals. Your interests and passions should be a primary factor in where you decide to live.

If you love nature and the outdoors, consider regions that provide outdoor activity opportunities. If you desire diversity and entertainment, look for areas that offer those options.

3. Health Care

Health and health insurance is another factor that might affect your decision.

Some people have health needs that require them to be close to medical facilities or hospitals that provide specialized care. Others may want to move somewhere that has better options and access to healthier lifestyles. You may be in one of these categories. Then look for areas with these considerations in mind.

If you have kids, you need to do all you can to make the move work for them. This includes checking into the school system to make sure they’ll do well there. Not only that, but you’ll want to make sure the school system has a good reputation.

4. School Systems

If you have kids, you need to do all you can to make the move work for them. This includes checking into the school system to make sure they’ll do well there. Not only that, but you’ll want to make sure the school system has a good reputation.

A move can affect kids quite a bit, and an excellent school system could go a long way towards helping them adjust.

5. Weather

Remember to research the weather in your new area. 

Weather can affect your mood, lifestyle, and social plans. It can also affect your utility bills. Be prepared for weather changes and related heating or cooling costs.

Get familiar with the average seasonal temperature changes as well as weather risks. Is the area you are considering moving to prone to flooding or tornadoes? Know the area so that you can be prepared. 

Things to Consider

There are many things to explore when relocating, especially if you’re moving to a different area or even a different state.If you want more information and advice on moving, please visit our site. We can give you some great tips to help take the stress out of a long-distance move.