How to Pack For a Move When Selling Your Home
It’s difficult to start packing when you are getting ready to sell your home. The process can be overwhelming, and it could be easy to procrastinate until the last minute. With this blog post, we want to give you a timeline and tips on how best to get started with packing up your home for move so that everything is easier in the end!
We will cover what items need special attention, what should go first on your list of things-to-pack and more. Do not pack anything without reading our guide first!
CLEAN, DECLUTTER, PURGE
(6-8 Weeks Prior)
Moving day is a process that starts months before the actual move date. The earlier you start packing for your impending relocation, the less stressful moving will be in general and on your final days at home. Preparation should begin 6-8 weeks before an anticipated departure to allow time to complete all necessary tasks.
A clean house will be easier to start with when deciding what belongings you'll take. Cleaning your home before the move can help make it feel like a fresh, new opportunity instead of just more work and stress.
You may be surprised at how much you gain by getting rid of clutter. It’s not as hard to pack your belongings when they are neatly organized and sparse, which will save time and money on the move-in process.
Separate the items that you don’t want and put them all together. This will give your mover an idea of how much stuff you will be taking with to your new home, so they can estimate a cost for the move before moving day.
SELL OR DONATE THINGS YOU WON’T BE TAKING WITH YOU
(5 Weeks Prior)
Moving day is a process that starts months before the actual move date. The earlier you start packing for your impending relocation, the less stressful moving will be in general and on your final days at home. Preparation should begin 6-8 weeks before an anticipated departure to allow time to complete all necessary tasks.
A clean house will be easier to start with when deciding what belongings you'll take. Cleaning your home before the move can help make it feel like a fresh, new opportunity instead of just more work and stress.
You may be surprised at how much you gain by getting rid of clutter. It’s not as hard to pack your belongings when they are neatly organized and sparse, which will save time and money on the move-in process.
Separate the items that you don’t want and put them all together. This will give your mover an idea of how much stuff you will be taking with to your new home, so they can estimate a cost for the move before moving day.
HIRE MOVERS
(4 Weeks Prior)
Getting quotes from 3 different movers is always recommended, as it will give you a good idea of how much your move might cost. You should also take into consideration if there are any discounts or special offers available when deciding which one to choose.While some may be cheaper than others, those lower prices could come with hidden charges down the line that are not worth paying for.
As you prepare to move to your new home, it is important that you research the moving company's reputation online before hiring them. You can find reviews on platforms such as Yelp or Google for insight into licensing, how they handle things like customer service and timeliness with deliveries.
Request an in-home estimate for larger homes so that you can see exactly how much your move will cost. Most movers charge by the hour, which is why this method of pricing works best when it comes to estimating a quote on moving costs.
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START THE PACKING PROCESS
(2-3 weeks prior)
It should take you around 2-3 weeks to pack your home without stress.
The more you’re prepared for the movers, if you’re movers charge by the hour, the lower the cost will be.
Gather packing supplies – You can purchase moving boxes at Home Depot, pack & ship stores or online. Use your suitcases.
Pack Non-essential items first – Start by packing any unused storage rooms, closets, garage, etc. The kitchen is usually packed last.
Label your boxes – Write the name of what is in the box and what room it belongs on the side of each box. This will help you organize your boxes in the correct rooms when they arrive at your new home.
Store items in the garage – Use your garage space as a place for boxed up items. This signals to home buyers that you’re prepared for a quick close of escrow
Don’t have movers pack and move valuable and/or personal items – Always pack and move your valuables and personal items so you can be sure they make it to your new home safely.
Take the first step and download our free seller’s guide
IT’S ALMOST MOVING DAY
(1 week prior)
Start packing the kitchen – Categorize items into three groups: Cleaning Supplies, Cooking Utensils/Dishes & Glassware, Food/Pantry. Make sure the items are secured so none of them break during transport and everything is labeled accordingly as this makes unpacking a breeze later on down the road too when things get hectic at
Start packing clothes, bedding, bathroom items
3 MOST CRUCIAL PACKING TIPS FOR MOVING
Gather your valuable items, like jewelry, precious art and small collectibles. You'll want to be sure your important items are accounted for before the movers come. Don't let them move anything that could get lost during their hectic moving process.
Pack a day box – This may include any medications, toiletries, clothes, airline tickets if moving long-distance, and anything else you may need on a daily basis. You may need several of these boxes, but the purpose is to not lose anything you need on a daily basis in the depths of random moving boxes.
Give yourself enough time – It’s not until you start packing and moving your home you realize how much stuff you actually have. Be sure to give yourself enough time in advance to pack for your move.