Home Buyer Tips For A Smooth Move

Home Buyer Tips To Make Moving Easier

Prior To Moving:

1. Clean your new home before you move in. Cleaning the house is much easier before furniture and boxes are filling all of the rooms.  Unpacking will also be much easier and faster.  If your new place is out of town and you cannot clean it yourself, call the real estate agent who helped you find the home.  Your agent should have a professional residential cleaning service in their preferred vendors list that they call to prepare homes when listing for sale.  Ask the agent if they can arrange the cleaning, and possibly open the home for the cleaners.
2. Purge things you do not need.  Moving is a great time to let go of clutter, especially if you are downsizing into a smaller home.  Every time I have moved in the past I have been amazed at the amount of stuff that has accumulated over the previous years.  Put aside any clothing, furniture and household items that you do not want and consider local organizations to donate to.  A couple of organizations that will do pickups are The Kindney Foundation and The Salvation Army.  You can find local non-profits to donate to here http://donationtown.org.  Also, remember to ask for a receipt to save on your income taxes.
3. Recycle when possible.  While purging and packing you may decide to get rid of old outdated electronics.  An environmentally friendly alternative to throwing them away is to take them to an electronics recycling center.  Go to http://greenergadgets.org to look for locations near you.
4. Plan your meals.  Dealing with food when moving can be difficult.  Try to plan meals for the weeks leading up to moving day to use food that you already have.  Limit purchases of perishable foods, and donate any nonperishable foods you no longer want.  Check this website to make food donations http://moveforhunger.org.
5. Schedule and compare shop to save money.  Get estimates from multiple moving companies to get the best price.  Another great way to save is to schedule your move for the middle of the week and avoid the end of the month.  Most families will want to move on the weekend and as close to the end of the month as possible.  Being willing to schedule when the moving companies are not over booked can be a great way to save.
6. Send out address change notifications.  Contact utility companies, the post office, subscriptions, and other accounts with your new address.  If you use mail order pharmaceutical companies make sure they have your updated information.
7. First day boxes.  Remember last in / first out, make the last boxes on the moving truck are essential items you will need when arriving at your new home.  
1. First meals.  Have a food box with breakfast items like cereal or pop tarts for an easy meal your first morning.  You may also want to include snacks in the box that can be enjoyed while unloading, unpacking, and settling in.
2. Kids box.  If you have kids put together a box with their favorite things to help them acclimate into their new environment.  You can even let kids decorate the box so they can have fun spotting it when it comes off of the moving truck.
3. Remember pets.  Your pets will be nervous moving int a new home.  Try to pack a special box with their food and water bowls, and other comfort items or toys.  Keeping pets on their regular routine will help them transition quickly.
4. Overnight bag.  Keep all of your personal essentials and toiletries separate from other packed boxes.  You will want to have quick access to your medications, toiletries, charging cords for electronics, laptop and clothes for the first couple of days.
5. Piece of mind.  Keep important papers, tax documents, social security cards, passports and other sensitive documents all together with your overnight bag.  Moving can be hectic and this will alleviate stress from working where they are.