You have found your perfect North Shore home, escrow will be closing soon, and it’s time to start packing up and getting ready to move. This is an exciting time but when it comes to the challenges of actually packing and moving, whether doing it yourself or hiring a moving company, it can quickly become overwhelming unless you are prepared to avoid these common mistakes.
Set a Budget
One all too common mistake is being in the dark on moving costs. There are many costs involved with moving so be sure to set a budget appropriately, and then add some cushion for those unknown expenses. This not only includes the cost of moving supplies such as boxes and packing materials but also includes deposits and setting up utilities at your new home. No matter how small the expenses are, they add up quickly, so be aware of them and how you are going to budget for them.
Have a Plan and Stick to It
Make lists for all tasks you can think of and set realistic deadlines – and stick to them as best as possible. Knowing what is needed and when you need to accomplish it will help you to avoid wasted time and money.
Pack Smart
Don’t get caught up in the dread of packing and it becoming a daunting task. Make a plan when packing—make a list of all the rooms that need packing, start with the smallest room and work your way up to the larger rooms (hopefully you will gain momentum as you go). I found it helpful to gather supplies well before the packing starts and place them in the right rooms, label the boxes and number or label them in order of importance. When unpacking in your North Shore home, this will help you know which boxes need to be unpacked first and which can be set aside for unpacking later.
Keep Paperwork Organized
If you will be hiring a moving company, the mound of paperwork that will stack up is inevitable, but keeping it organized will be essential in helping you keep a sane mind. All of the paperwork that the movers will supply is important including the order of service, bill of lading, and especially the mover’s inventory, which is a list of all your valuables which they have loaded into their truck. The inventory is very important and should be checked not only at the beginning of the move, but at the end as well, to make sure all your valuables have made it from one location to the next and in one piece. There will also be disclaimers, and it’s a good idea to keep a copy of your insurance documents in the same folder just in case you need to file a claim.
Communication is Key
If there is a change in the date of closing which will affect the move date, it’s imperative to let the moving company know immediately. There can be a change in the price if they are not notified far enough in advance. Also, if there are specialty items that need special care in moving, bring this to their attention so that they can plan for extra personnel if needed or can add extra equipment to the truck if something special is needed to move your possessions. Remember, there is no such thing as over-communicating when it comes to getting your possessions safely to your new North Shore home!
Pets and Kids Need Special Attention
Whether you are using a moving company or not, moving day is hectic. Worrying about the safety of your kids and pets can detract from allowing you to get things moved safely and correctly. If you cannot have them spending time somewhere else, set up a separate room from the moving activities with lots of toys and entertainment, and plan on moving their things later.
The Marla Schneider Team can help you to sell your home and/or find your perfect North Shore home with as little stress as possible. We have years of experience finding homes in the North Shore area that meet your criteria – sometimes before they are even listed on the market. Make moving day just as smooth by avoiding common mistakes and being as prepared as possible.
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