Moving is a big job and requires a lot of attention to detail. At the same time, it’s an exciting milestone and it’s fun to buy and move into a new home. If you do things right, the process shouldn’t be too time consuming or difficult. That’s why being prepared and knowing what you’re going to do each step of the way makes it so much easier.
Should You Hire Movers or Move Yourself?
There’s no right or wrong answer to this one. If you have the money to pay someone to help you, it certainly takes some of the stress out of the job. However, you can also take the time and energy to pack and move your own things. Trained movers have all the equipment and training to get the job done right, but there’s no rule that says you can’t do it yourself.
Create a Timeline and Schedule
With a good timeline and moving checklist in place, you can take a lot of the stress out of a big move. Start a few months in advance, if possible, and map out each thing you need to do and when you plan to get it done. By sticking with this schedule, you won’t be trying to get it all done the day before you need to be out of one house and into the new one.
Set Up a Moving Budget
Moving isn’t cheap so it is important to plan a budget around it so that you don’t have any financial surprises. You might include this budget in with your mortgage. The experts at Habito mortgages can help and they are a free, easy to use mortgage broker. Your budget should include money to pay movers, buying boxes if they’re needed, storing your belongings, gas to drive back and forth, and any food you’ll have to buy during the move. This keeps you on track and doesn’t leave you coming up short when the move is over.
Sort Your Stuff and Decide What to Pack and Move
As you’re going through your current home, only pack what you plan to move. The rest should be thrown away or donated so you don’t have to deal with it when you arrive at your new house. Often, you can arrange for pickup of these items so you don’t even have to take care of them yourself. This way, you only have to unpack and put away what you actually need in your new house.
Get Rid of Stuff You Don’t Want to Move
As mentioned above, this could be throwing it away or giving it away. Moving is an excellent time to declutter. Maybe a close friend or relative wants some of the things you don’t want. If not, have salvageable items picked up and donated to a good cause. Anything that is trash should be hauled to the dump or placed at the curb for pickup. With this easy step, you eliminate the need to unpack and deal with stuff you don’t want or need, making the entire process that much easier.
Moving doesn’t have to be scary or stressful. With these easy ideas, you should be enjoying your new house in no time at all.
