Move-Out Tips for a Stress-Free Moving Day

Moving can be stressful, especially if you don’t plan accordingly. You have to pack up your home, transfer utilities, update your mailing address, notify friends and family, ensure moving dates align, find movers, babysitters, and pet-sitters, and unpack everything when you get into your new home. It’s a lot to keep track of, but luckily there are some move-out tips you can use to make your moving day a little bit easier. Below are some of the best tips to help you prepare to move into your new home.

Declutter in Advance

Before you even begin packing, make a plan to go through each room in your house and declutter. If you’re having trouble getting started, you can use this comprehensive 30-day declutter plan to help guide you through the process. By going through your home well in advance and getting rid of any clutter, you’ll save yourself a ton of wasted time packing things you don’t need. Plus, you’ll reduce the number of boxes and save room in your moving truck for other, more important items.

Create a Moving Folder

Depending on your preferences, you can either create a folder in Google Docs or a physical folder that you keep with you. In this folder, you’ll want to save any important documents related to the move. The following are some examples of documents you should keep:

• A checklist of all places you need to update your address (utilities, banks, etc.)

• Rental or purchase papers

• Moving contracts

• Important phone numbers (movers, realtor, etc.)

Start Packing in Advance

Your move will sneak up on you faster than you think, and you’ll be busy handling a lot of small things in the weeks leading up to moving. Start packing your home well in advance to save yourself the headache of trying to pack everything in a few days. Start by packing things you know you won’t need between now and your move. Items like knick-knacks, out-of-season and special occasion clothing, books, board games, and seasonal décor can all be packed up before your other, more actively used items.

Get Everything Squared Away ASAP

As soon as you know your moving dates, start getting things squared away. If you wait too long, you may find that there are no options for things like babysitters or movers, and you’ll pay way more than you need to. The following are some things you should take care of as soon as your know your moving date:

• Schedule a babysitter or pet sitter for the morning of the move

• Find a trusted mover with good reviews and hire them

• Hire cleaners to take care of the house after you move out

• If you are moving far away, find a hotel room of a friend in the area for the layover day between moves

• Schedule the transfer of your utilities and research local options like trash & recycling

• Inform your child’s school of the move and contact the new school

Pack Everything Carefully

Last but not least, make sure not to rush your packing. It may be easier to throw everything in boxes and deal with it later, but your items can easily get damaged during the move. Take the time to wrap delicate items and fill any empty space in boxes so that nothing shifts in transit. Avoid overpacking boxes, as they will become heavy and likely rip on the bottom. Instead, try to stick with small and medium boxes only. For furniture, take care to cover and edges with towels or blankets, and protect your mattresses with mattress covers, especially if moving in inclement weather.

If you have any other questions about move-out tips or are looking for moving advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to me!