8 Tips on Packing a House

Everyone loves to pack up the house and move… Not! Nobody likes moving so if you can make it quick and easy, all the better. Moving doesn't have to be a stressful event if you plan ahead and pack up your home in a few easy steps. Here are eight tips to quickly and easily pack up your house.

#1. Plan ahead.

If you can, give yourself at least a month or two prior to your move to plan, organize, and prioritize. Planning ahead will help you move smarter and cheaper.

#2. Downsize.

Now is the time to either throw away, mindfully keep, or donate all of your items. The last thing you want is to open up a bag at your new home only to realize you've transported trash to the new house. Go through every single room one by one donating items you know you're not going to use again, tossing items, or carefully packing up items that you want to keep. Marie Kondo does a great job at helping you organize and remember, if you're not taking a third of your staff, you won't need the extra expense or moving room.

More: Simple Ways to Upgrade Your Home for Less Than $100

#3. Start stocking up on moving supplies.

There are a lot of people out there that move every single day so cash in on their move by asking for used boxes. This is also a great way to get rid of boxes once you move into your new house. Check on Facebook marketplace or Craigslist for anyone getting rid of boxes. You can also go to U-Haul which has a program called take a box, leave a box, where customers can drop off moving boxes that they don't need anymore. Stock up a newspaper rather than buying packing paper and use linens, towels, and close for wrapping valuables instead of buying additional packing materials or bubble wrap.

#4. Know what to pack first and what to pack last.

If you know you'll need things up until the day you move and it will be some of the first things you need once you get to the new house, pack those last. This could be tools, the coffee pot, clothes, or valuable essentials such as medical and school records.

#5. Label each box.

More than simply labeling what kind of room it will go into, literally label what is in the box. This might be kitchen supplies, utensils, mugs, second bathroom toiletries, etc. Get specific and don't forget to mark things as fragile when appropriate.

#6. Make a checklist of contacts and new communication.

Remember, you'll need to get a change of address form at the post office, cancel any newspaper or magazine subscriptions or renew at the new home, let family and friends know your new address, contact utility companies to start new utilities and cancel old ones, contact doctors offices and schools to transfer records, and contact your veterinarian, insurance agents, and make sure your banks and creditors have all of your new information.

#7. If you use movers, keep valuables with you.

These might be heirlooms, precious items, or identification records such as passports, birth certificates, medical records, and IDs.

#8. Have a bag of essentials with you at all times.

Depending on how far away you are moving, you might need an overnight bag with essentials. Consider snacks, soaps, linens, a few cleaning supplies, and at least two or three changes of clothes for everyone in your household.

Are you relocating to or from Columbus Ohio? Vision Realty would love to make your move as smooth as possible. Feel free to browse our website for all homes and real estate listings in Columbus or getting contact with one of our agents today.

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