head off feeling overwhelmed during your big move — use this realtor - curated checklist to keep path of act twenty-four hours to - dos .
CARSON DOWNING
There are so many necessity to make the most of a move that it can be difficult to last out organized . diminished reminders , like serving the moving company light recreation , are just as important as bigger tasks , like doing a final walk - through before handing over the key . If you ’re go with a realtor , ask for advice or a tailor checklist to get it right . If not , do n’t worry — we’ve put together a comprehensive , realtor - approved checklist to makemoving dayas smooth and stress - free as potential .
Credit:CARSON DOWNING
Here ’s everything that realtors say needs to get done before , during , and after the big daylight . think back , every move is unlike , whether it ’s with nestling and pet , of different sizes and distances , or need prolonged closing date — adjust the checklist consequently .
Before Moving Day
Everything will be in move on moving daylight , so being prepared and organized ahead of fourth dimension will alleviate the process .
1. Get Organized
First , work rearwards from the scheduled moving day of the month . “ Before pack , critique your contract bridge to understand when possession transfers so you may project accordingly , ” saysMargaret Osborne , a realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Central in Charleston , West Virginia . “ If you have 30 days , fall apart your move down week by week to invalidate last - moment chaos . "
2. Have a Family Check-In
move houses is a big alteration , and can be a challenge for everyone , especially nestling who have to vary schools and make new ally . Have an opened conversation about the move . “ ready children ( of all ages ) mentally for what is about to materialize . Do not assume everyone is o.k. , ” saysSandra Harvey , realtor for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers in Georgia . When in dubiousness , resolve question as well you could and bide positive about a fresh start .
3. Start Packing
“ bundle smart by stop up breakable , avoid overstuffed boxes , and pronounce everything distinctly for an easier unpacking process , ” Osborne sound out . Label boxes with tenuous point so they are channelize carefully , and number the boxes to account for everything . If you have go insurance policy , the public mover may even require that you step back and let them professionally handle all the backpacking .
“ Ensure all large items are wrapped and untroubled with your moving society — many take into account you to keep your clothing in your drawers , ” saysWendy Richardson , realtor for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene in Houston . Packing can be a magnanimous task , so discover it down one room at a time to make the appendage manageable .
4. Update Utilities and Mailing Addresses
“ refresh your computer address with the mail service office , banks , subscriptions , and other service , ” saysSusan Greer , broker comrade and realtor for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene in Texas . convert the savoir-faire on any identification card game , driver ’s licenses , and banking cards . Ask neighbors to pull together and pass along any mail that gets delivered between address changes .
Also , do n’t forget about the service program . “ Update utility program company for both the previous home and young dwelling house to ensure no interruptions in serve , ” says Harvey . This change includes Wi - Fi , electricity , gas , and TV streaming services . It ’s best to give two days ’ advance observation and call back if disruptions persevere .
Moving Day
The big Clarence Day has ultimately arrived , and it ’s important to stay on top of everything , including organize with movers . embark on early to ensure everything gets done before nightfall .
5. Divide Tasks
Teamwork make the dreaming work . “ Have one person at the honest-to-god home to ensure movers are getting all items and being careful , and have one soul at the new home guiding them to the right room with the right pieces of furniture and boxes , ” say Richardson . The same strategy employ for movement without charter movers .
6. Supervise Loading and Unloading
depend on whether you ’ve hired movers ( which is a good theme for big relocation ) , now ’s the time to do ( or supervise ) the loading , transporting , and unloading . see fragile and significant items are handled and transported right .
7. Stay Fueled
Amidst the hum , it ’s easy to forget to take break , eat , and drink urine . But staying fueled — especially for moves in the red-hot summertime weather — is all important . “ Schedule lunch in advance for moving company , purchase swallow ( water and sodium carbonate in an crank chest ready to go , so no one needs to leave to pick up token ) . It ’s a busy day , and you need all hands on deck , ” says Harvey .
Working with Movers
8. Check in with Movers
When the movers first get in , take a few minute to confirm particular with them — do you have a weightiness bound that they postulate to keep in mind or sure point you prefer to be pack last ? “ Double - check the reaching meter , costs , and serving included with the mover , ” says Greer . Having this flying check - in hopefully avoid any surprises ( like unexpected costs ) on strike daylight and provides a better timeline .
9. Supervise Movers
If moving sense overwhelming , you might be inclined to take the air off and leave the removal firm to their work . But it is good to have a team of mass available to supervise . Have one person at the new dwelling house to guide and another at the original home to facilitate . Have the person at the new plate unlock and give the doors for the moving company . “ Check to guarantee you have all the number of boxes you started with and that the larger items are not damaged , ” Richardson says .
Again , guarantee all fragile and priority items are deal with care during loading and unloading . “ Have two other people correspond behind to verify nothing is forget . There is almost always something leave in the bottom oven drawer , ” Harvey allege .
Final Checks Before Leaving
Getting all the boxes into a truck heading to the raw home is the one big task , but there are a few last checks to do before enjoin goodbye to the old home .
10. Do a Final Walk-Through
Double- and three-fold - check that everything has been impress and the home is empty . “ Before leave , do a final walk of life - through to assure closet , cabinets , and storage space , insure nothing is left behind , ” says Osborne . Get somebody else to reconstruct your steps and do a walkway - through so nothing is miss .
11. Clean the Home
Most leases ask that you leave behind your rented house or flat in move - in ready condition for the next occupant . “ go away your home in good condition — broom - tangle , fridge void , andsurfaces clean — so the new owners do n’t have to deal with leftover fix , ” says Osborne . No matter how tired you are after a big move , cleanse up is the right thing to do .
12. Leave Behind Important Items
Do n’t unintentionally take your old keys with you to the fresh home . Leave the instruction manual for gismo and house organisation in a draftsman for the new owner . And for those looking to go the spare mile , “ a bottle of wine-colored and a welcome note are a squeamish soupcon ! ” Richardson supply .
13. Lock Up
“ Secure the home to make trusted that doors and window are locked , ” Greer say . fold up the home is specially important for new owners who are n’t moving in for a while . “ When you ’re ready to lock up , take photo for documentation and turn off any rest luminosity and appliances , ” adds Osborne . Leave the key fruit in a lock loge or with your real estate factor to see to it a smooth passage .
Settling into the New Place
Now that the severe part is done , it ’s sentence to take out and prepare your new home for a relaxing night . There are a few steps to make the transition easier .
14. Test Out Appliances and Utilities
Do a quick paseo - through of the novel home base to ensure everything is in respectable workings rules of order . “ Confirm that water , electricity , and other public utility company are exploit , ” says Greer . Test out appliances , toilets , faucets , and light shift , too . Take photograph if you see something amiss during your light review . Talk to your realtor if major issues rise .
15. Make Adjustments
If you’re able to get the keys to the new place before bring in bulky furniture , then make adjustments before settle in . “ Plan out your raw closet and add the shelving that makes sensation for you ( extra shoe rack , more shelves rather than cling space , etc . ) , ” saysScott Cosby , realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers in Atlanta , Georgia . “ Before getting all the furniture in the path , string up your drapes and blinds , ” he tell , “ Protect those beautiful hardwoods ! Put digs on the table and chairwoman legs . ”
clean-living ductsand drier vents , run wiring and prolongation cords , and seal andcaulk window , door , and bathroom fixtures before unpacking item that will get in your way by and by .
16. Unpack Essentials First
Do n’t stress to take out everything the minute you walk in . “ Unpack essentials like toilet articles , bedding , and kitchenware first , ” Greer says . This makes everything a little more functional while settling in on the first night . Ideally , boxes should be pose in the rooms that will put up them for good . Work your fashion through the kitchen , bathroom , and bedroom first . Then , move on to living spaces .
“ Get everything unpacked at the new home as soon as potential , ” says Harvey . “ It is very hard for tike to focus on school assignment when they can not find the items that are want . It is the same with grownup ; everyone needs to be capable to focalize , and that is hard if the home is in disarray , ” she add together . Try unpacking one way to near windup first . At least that will ensure you have one space to back away to relax .
17. Enjoy the New Neighborhood
Remember to relax long enough to enjoy your new family . Go for a walk to ascertain out the new arena andmeet new neighbors . “ Explore the vicinity , locating nearby grocery store , pharmacies , and emergency services , ” says Greer .
At the end of the busy and long act 24-hour interval , “ order takeout , relax , and lionize your fresh start ! ” articulate Osborne .
