Moving Made Easier : 7 Great Ideas

It may have been a while since you moved. If so, the task probably looks pretty daunting.

Believe it or not, real estate agents chat about moving almost as much as we do homes or taxes. Whether it’s moving-in or moving out, there’s lots to do, and there’s simply no point in denying it, it’s stressful.

There are hundreds of moving checklists online that can be easily adapted for any given situation.

Our real estate team took a different tack. We chatted about some of the experiences our clients had and came up with 7 tips that may not be on any list, but we think will make a difference in your move.

Start a Moving Binder.

Hands down, we thought this was the single best idea.

Put everything down in one single place that is easily accessible to the entire family. And keep it organized with separators for different topics such as ‘new home/old home’; sleeves for storing your receipts, estimates, copies of emails and inventory of items. Don’t forget adding reams of paper for making notes.

Since a lot of communication nowadays is done via your computer, create a new folder in your email program and store all related moving emails in that folder.  For internet searches, create a separate bookmark folder to store informative websites. In the ends it’s about having easy access, when you found something really interesting.

Whatever you do, don’t send an email or make a phone call without your moving binder in your hand.

We don’t promise that a moving binder will make your move stress free, but it will help reduce the number of things you have to remember and keep things in one place.

At the same time, consider starting a suitcase or lock box to store your important papers (passports, insurance documents) so they are in one place, easy to find and most importantly, won’t get lost.

Moving Companies.

Most of us are beyond asking our buddies to help us move and are ready to hire a professional. Choose a professional and reputable moving company and be very clear on the services they offer.

Before you contact them make sure you know how many rooms in your home and the type of furniture (beds, appliances, couches). Most moving companies will want to know how many levels and you could surprise them by also knowing the total number of stairs.  

Some moving companies are willing to provide quotes over the phone, but it never hurts to get it in writing. If you are particularly concerned about your home, ask for a walk-thru so that there won’t be any surprises on moving day.

Everyone moves at the end of the month and on weekends, so moving on the 7th or 21st could save you some dollars.

Scheduling the time of the move can be a little complicated and involves your solicitor, who will know the exact time you can expect to get the keys to your new home. From there you can work backwards. Most moving companies can gauge how much time they need for certain sized homes.

Don’t be chintzy on the supplies (boxes, tape, Bubble Wrap, and permanent markers) they can always be re-used or donated to the next friend who is planning to move.  Don’t forget to order specialty containers, such as dish barrels or wardrobe boxes, which your mover can help you with.

Those were our main thoughts. But we have a few other notables that keep cropping up with clients:

1. Address Changes: If you haven’t already, this may be the time to go ‘paperless’. Most companies offer a bonus when you sign on for an email notice over an envelope in the mail. Just in case, ask a trusted neighbour to keep a look out for mail after you’ve moved.
2. Home Insurance: Don’t cancel your home insurance until your solicitor confirms the title has been officially been registered to the new home owner. It’s only one day, and anything could happen during the move.
3. Moving Obstacles: If you plan to visit your new home to measure the room sizes or check for draperies, you might also take a moment to check the width of the door-ways to make sure larger pieces of furniture will fit.
4. Return Borrowed Items: While you’re de-cluttering no doubt you’ll find items that were borrowed once, a long time ago. Host a treasure hunt barbecue for your neighbours not just to say good bye, but as an opportunity ‘Return what you borrowed – find what you lent.’
5. Chemicals & Toxins: Moving day is not the time to take all of the household chemicals properly (old paint, caustic cleaners, etc.) that you’ve been storing to the local Toxic Waste Centre. That should be done when you are de-cluttering.

Getting to know your new neighbourhood can take time. Helping your family, in particular your kids transition through the move can be time consuming.  By getting referrals from your doctor, dentist, mechanic, druggist, even your hairdresser you will have a head start into settling into your new community.

As your real estate agent, our job is make the transition to your new home seamless. And while this might be only your first or second move, it’s not ours. We’re always happy to share our ideas and provide real estate tips.

Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.