Tips to Make Your Move Go Smooth
Moving can be one of the most stressful things especially if you are doing it without the support of a professional moving company. Unfortunately, everyone goes through it at one point or another and if you are buying or selling a home then you will need some free tips, everyone likes free.
As someone who spent 14 years moving for major companies and living in Michigan, Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Texas and Florida, I have done my fair share of moving. Even local moves from one community to another can be challenging.
n Get Organized: One of the first things that you need to do is become organized. Put together a “Moving Strategy”, a plan of sort, and write a list. I always put together two lists. The first list contained everything that I would need for the move. This includes supplies, equipment, and anything else that is associated with the move. The second list was contacts and dates. This includes a comprehensive time line of when things need to be done and when things are happening. From when I am going to pack up the bathroom, to the date I pick up the moving truck. Include information such as disconnection dates for utilities and the phone numbers for them. Include information about your new home as well. You can also put a to do list on the bottom to add things as you think of them.
You should then create a spot to keep your list, which should be in a spiral notebook or on a clip board. In this area you are also going to keep all of your supplies like tape, paper, boxes, markers, pens, etc.
n Get Your Supplies: There is nothing more frustrating then running out of supplies during packing your home. Most moving companies will actually buy back your unused boxes from you, so buying a little more than estimated is a good idea. Ensure you have a lot of tape on hand as well, because some boxes require more depending on weight and it is a supply you can always use in the future. Make it a point to obtain about six to eight additional boxes to have on hand for last minute items on the day you are actually moving. There are always last-minute items that you need to pack, whether cleaning supplies or the dog’s dishes, you will need them.
n Use Colors and Labels: Using color coded tape for each room in your home is a great way to save time when you are unpacking, which in my opinion is worse than packing sometimes. Knowing that blue tape is your master bedroom will ensure that those boxes end up in your new master bedroom. It is easy to tell movers or any one else helping you where each box goes based on color coded tape. Use your master lists to log in each color designation. When I color code the tape, I put a piece of that color tape on the door frame at the new house. So if my master bedroom is blue tape, then the door frame has a foot long piece of blue tape on it. The master bathroom may be red tape and I do the same thing and put a foot long piece of red tape on the door frame.
Also, use good labeling when you can and put like items in boxes. For example, I have a massive book collection. When I pack up my books, I always put them in boxes by types of books and then label the boxes accordingly. For my novels, they all go in one box labeled novels and for my reference books the same thing, in one or two boxes labeled reference books box one of two.
Use more than boxes: You can move things in luggage, duffel bags and laundry baskets. I usually put all of my sheets and towels in laundry baskets and fill up all my suitcases with clothing. Since these items are hard to sometimes pack and can waste space, I utilize them as part of the “equipment” to move.
n Personal and Valuables: My final tip is to ensure that you safeguard your valuables and personal items. Do not pack these if you can avoid it. If you have to pack them, don’t put the contents on the box. When I pack personal and valuables I will put a generic label on the box like “Supplies Office” and I am the only one that knows this key word. When possible I will put these in smaller cube boxes that I can transport myself to the final destination or ship using insurance.
Moving can be a great experience if you are prepared and organized. Making sure you follow simple steps will make the move go smooth, whether you use movers or do it yourself. If you have questions please email them to JJakus@leisureamerican.com.
Jason M. Jakus is a licensed realtor for Leisure American Realty, a full service Real Estate and Property Management company serving the beaches and surrounding areas of Lee County. Their office is located at 2450 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach FL 33931. For more information on this or any other real estate or property management subject contact Jason at 239.463.3178 or email RealtyInfo@LeisureAmerican.com.”