While putting your home on the market and getting it sold can seem like a daunting task, packing up and actually moving is no picnic either.
“They say moving is the most stressful thing after death and taxes,” says Caroline Gosselin, head of the Gosselin Group at Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty. “There’s nothing pleasant about it … except perhaps the knowledge that it will eventually be over! It’s such a shame that starting an exciting new chapter is overshadowed by such a burdensome process, but there are things you can do to help relieve the stress.”
So just what are the key strategies you can employ to take the misery out of moving? We asked local realtors to share some of the top suggestions they offer clients to make it as painless as possible. Here’s what they recommend:
Make a To-Do List
“I always tell my clients to make a to-do list as a family so all parties know what work is involved and share the burden,” says Gosselin, who advises her clients to order their packing materials online as soon as they know the move is definite. “Once the boxes are in the house, you will be forced to start filling them! Pack the seasonal, decorative and non-essential items first and then tape those up, label them, and store them out of the way. Make a goal to do a set number a day or per week.”
But before you can begin packing, you’ll need to …
Start Sorting
“Start with a room on the top floor of your home and sort ‘stuff’ into four categories,” says Amy Harris of Keller Williams. “The first is ‘have to move,’ the second is ‘throw out,’ the third is ‘give away’ to charity, children, friends, etc. And the fourth is ‘sell.’”
Mark Slade of Keller Williams Mid-Town Direct advises clients to follow a similar method and recommends using a combination of “plastic tubs to protect your more delicate and irreplaceable belongings and/or items that will now ‘move over’ to a child’s home.”
If you’re on the fence about an item, determining its worth can help you decide where it should go next.
“If you are unsure of the value of some of your older and potentially unwanted possessions, there are plenty of people out there that can provide you with a range of value for the item to then help you make the best decision for you and your family,” Slade says. “Nancy, of Nancy’s Fancy Antiques, is great resource for said advice.”
Realtors agree, there’s no reason to haul an item you’re unsure about to your next stop.
“If you are not taking it with you to your new destination then throw it out now,” Allison Ziefert of Keller Williams Midtown Direct Realty. “No sense paying to move items that you will need to discard and sort upon arrival. This will make your move-in to the new place much less stressful.”
Harris suggests clients give themselves at least 30 days for this project as it is “both time consuming and somewhat emotional.”
Find a Reliable Mover & Hauler
Once you’ve culled your belongings, you still may be overwhelmed by the thought of corralling them into cardboard boxes. Randy Rabney of Keller Williams Realty has a solution.
“Let your movers pack for you,” she says. “It’s worth the additional cost.”
For those looking to keep moving expenses down, Slade recommends the old DIY method.
“Boxes and tape are not terribly expensive if you buy them yourself. However, if you chose to let your mover supply you with these items, you can generally assume you will spend at least 50 percent more,” he says.
Whether or not you choose to let them do your packing, finding trustworthy movers with good references can spare you plenty of headaches.
“Hire a good, reliable mover and things will be much easier,” says Robert Northfield of Keller Williams Realty. “Movers can also move the furniture and place it in the right spot. It is not as expensive as some may expect. Some movers will charge a flat rate; some will charge per hour. These guys know what they are doing. Save your back, hire a mover.”
Northfield also recommends having a hauler at the ready to come and pick up any unwanted items that may be stored in the attic, basement, or garage.
“Many haulers will pick up the items from where they are so no need to put efforts in taking the items out and placing them outside,” he says.
Some appliances not worth taking with you, Slade notes. “Washers and dryers can often damage the house getting them out and stand a chance of getting damaged in a move; its better to leave with your sale or sell online — Maplewoodonline.com or Facebook SOMa Swap — so you don’t pay a lot of money to find out you now have broken appliances. Even plasma TV’s might fall into this category as moving companies often have huge surcharges and/or damage waivers. For good advice, I’d recommend Harrington Movers of Maplewood.”
Consider Your New Home’s Floorplan
No matter who’s doing the packing, it’s important to have an idea of where your belongings will go once they’re in your home new.
“Creating a floorplan for the new house helps with the unloading and moving-in portion so you aren’t left scrambling wondering where to tell the guy to put that box!” Gosselin says.
Take the Slow and Steady Approach
Vanessa Pollock of Keller Williams Midtown Direct Realty suggests breaking down what might seem like the monumental job of unpacking into managable chunks so you don’t get discouraged.
“Don’t make your unpacking goals too big, or you’ll feel overwhelmed and like it won’t be possible – make the goal realistic and doable and then you’ll still have time for your kids, carpooling, meals and family-time all the while, which is the most important during this delicate transition time for everyone,” she says.
So just how do you do that?
“When you move into your new home, place the labeled boxes into each room that they belong in and unpack two boxes a day in each room, or tackle one room a day, and you’ll be all moved in within two weeks,” she advises.
Make the First Night in Your New Home a Restful One
“Lastly, pack a box with sheets, blankets, pillows and kids’ (stuffed) animals and put it in your car’s front seat on moving day,” Pollock says. “The first thing you do on moving day is make the beds. This way, when you’re done and exhausted, everyone can just crawl into bed.”
While moving is still a major undertaking, having a plan in place can minimize the stress, leaving you with more energy to enjoy your new home.
