You’ve found the perfect home in Winter Haven and now it’s time to pack and move. Easier said than done!To help streamline the process – and help you keep your sanity – we offer these house-moving tips:
- 1. Notify people of your move
About a month before you move, notify your employer, utility companies, post office, bank, doctor, and insurance company of your move. After all, you don’t want your mail to be delivered to your old place.
- 2. Contact utility companies early
Make sure to contact utility companies weeks before your move, so things like electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable are ready to use when you arrive. Give them your exact address, the date of the move, and a contact number.
- 3. Hire movers
You can ask friends and family to help you move, but there’s one reason why movers are the better option: they have insurance. If they drop or break something during the move, they’ll reimburse you for it. Will your Uncle Jimmy do the same?
- 6. Declutter your home
Of course, do note that you don’t have to pack everything in your house. To make your move easier, declutter your home first. Any item that hasn’t been used in the past six months can be sold at a garage sale or donated to charity.
- 7. Label smartly
Labeling your boxes makes it easier to unpack everything at your new place. A great way to do so is to color code boxes to correspond with designated rooms. You should also print out an inventory of each box’s contents to make things easier to find.
- 8. Find a babysitter
Older kids can help you with packing and unpacking, but you don’t want your younger kids running around the house while you’re in the midst of moving. Ask a neighbor or a relative to babysit your kids until the chaos is over. You should also hire a nanny in your new town or city where you can drop off the kids while you’re busy unpacking stuff.
- 9. Create a “Day 1” kit
There’s no way you can finish unpacking everything on your first day in your new home. However, you can prepare a Day 1 kit that has everything you need to at least settle in for the evening. The kit should include things like a change of clothes, beddings, toiletries, plates, utensils, and your kids’ favorite toys.
4. Plan where to put everything
Take a look at your new home’s floor plan, and decide which rooms your belongings should go to. If you can’t find a place for them, consider getting rid of certain items. You should also print out this modified floor plan and give it to your movers as a guide.
5. Start packing early
Avoid last-minute packing panic by starting early. Ideally, start packing up less-used rooms such as the attic, basement, guest rooms, and the garage. Leave your bathroom, kitchen, bedrooms, and living room for last.
Looking to move to central Florida? Let Michael and Dee Norris help you find your dream home in Winter Haven, Lakeland, Haines City, and other nearby areas. Call 863.875.5583 or e-mail getrealestate@aol.com today.