Four Tips to Simplify Your Move to a New Home

Whether you are moving from a home you own or one you rent, there is one thing you absolutely must do: Dump the stuff you don't need.  There is no better excuse than an upcoming move to unload "stuff."

To begin with, moving costs money—Realtor.com says it is an average of $1,170 for an in-state move or a whopping $5,630 for out-of-state—so every box you pack adds up.  My cousin recently moved to Florida and took old family magazines - boxes and boxes of them! I still shudder to think how much that must have cost! 

Step No. 1: Start throwing things out early

Try to start purging at least a month before you move. This gives you time to sell items online or drive them to a consignment shop. Plus, advance decluttering “spreads out the (task) to make it feel like it’s less work than it actually is.

Use the two foot rule.  Work on a small space at a time so you aren't overwhelmed.  Try to tackle one room, or one closet (or one drawer) a day and never handle an item twice. Designate “toss,” “donate,” and “sell” boxes, and when you decide an item’s fate, toss it into the correct box. Don't look back! 

Step No. 2: Gather the right packing materials

Gather organizational tools like packing tape, black markers, and labels in a tote; that way, you don’t have to rummage through drawers whenever the decluttering bug bites. After all, you're going to need to get this stuff for moving day anyway, so there's no harm in kicking things off early.  Keep some cleaning supplies with you so you can tidy up those new empty (or emptier) spaces! 

Another huge help? Clear plastic bins are your friend and great homes for small items like batteries or office supplies. You can see what’s inside, and they’re easily stackable to save space.

Step No. 3: Consider the size of your new home

Before decluttering, think about your new home and how much space it contains. That will help you decide whether to move that extra set of pots and pans, or donate them. But even if you're moving into a home with equal or more space, that doesn't mean you should use this as an excuse to keep everything you own. There is very little stuff you don't need now will not become useful in your new house just because....  (Unless we are talking about something like pool floats and you are moving to Florida with a pool in your back yard!) 

Step No. 4: Target these top things to toss

Here are some common items you can almost certainly do without. Be merciless, and get them out of your life!

1. Still boxed: These items still in the original box: gifts, bulk purchases of all those tins of anchovies you won't live long enough to eat, things you stockpiled just in case. You might even be able to raise some cash by selling this clutter online. But get rid of it.
2. Clothing You Haven't Worn in a Year: Tastes and waistlines change.  If you haven't worn or used something in a year, you probably never will again. If its in good shape, donate it to charity. If it's stained or hopelessly out of date, toss it.
3. Expired: Food way past its sell-by date and expired or unnecessary medication shouldn't make the move to the new place. Recycle empty plastic pill bottles. Ask your pharmacy if it will take back unused medication for safe disposal.   Don't pour or flush medicine down the drain, which can contaminate drinking water with chemicals.
4. Past paperwork: We all have boxes of documents, clippings, and recipes that we never read.  These things are heavy!! Don't take them to your new home. Talk to your accountant about which financial or tax recordsyou need to keep and junk the rest! 
5. Books and magazines are heavy and bulky to move. If you've read them, and don't think you'll ever read them again, donate them to a local library, hospital or local jail. Many senior residences maintain libraries and would love a fresh supply of reading material.
6. Extras: Jettison extra towels, extra teacups, extra anything and anything that is unmatched. If it hasn't come in handy in the past year, it won't come in handy in the future.

If you are looking for a home in the DC metro area, you know there is more to the process than just picking a property and making an offer. You need to find the best location for your wants and needs, get a great price, and work with a lender who will make your life easier - not harder.  Trust your search with a Realtor who is licensed in DC, MD and VA and really knows the city and all its secret neighborhoods.

Start your search with the Lise Howe Group, Washington Natives who love the city and all its quirkiness! If you are moving or relocating to Washington DC, be sure to ask for our relocation guide. Call us at 240-401-5577 to schedule an appointment or email us at lise@lisehowe.com.  Too excited to wait to talk to us about a great home? Just click here to start that home search.

If you want to see what is for sale in Washington DC, Chevy Chase and Bethesda, check out these links below:

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Lise Howe

Keller Williams Capital Properties

4646 40th St NW 

Washington DC 20016

240-401-5577 (24 hour direct)
Licensed in DC, MD, and VA
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The Lise Howe Group
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