According to the data, U.S. homeowners relocate at least 11.7 times throughout their careers. That’s a lot of packing and unpacking done in a lifetime. But regardless of how often you move or how structured and organized you feel, relocating to a new home is nearly always stressful for anyone. So, knowing the basics would give you a head start.
Arrange your moving boxes
Before dialing your nearby moving services to come by, start packing and sorting your items in your boxes to make it easier to move and load them to the trucks later on. It will also help if you take note of the order of the package as you pack them in the vehicle, especially when you arrive at your destination. For example, the first box loaded into the truck will be the last box unloaded from it. So make sure that you arrange them precisely from the most important to the least needed.
Moreover, if possible, organize your cartons in the order of their contents by room. Label the areas in your new place with a number, a symbol, or a color, then attach similar labels to each box. Taking this step assists the movers in identifying the proper locations for each of your packages and eventually make your unpacking easier.
Set aside an overnight bag for each member of the family, including personal belongings such as clothes, prescribed medicine, cutlery, essential documents, as well as pet meds, if you have one, and other important items you would need soon after moving. You wouldn’t want to waste time rummaging through the boxes later on.
Arrange your mails
Make arrangements for your mails to be routed to your new home address by going to the United States Postal Service website or paying a visit to your nearest post office and complete the necessary documents and paperwork. Note that not all post offices carry the forwarding of your government bills and checks, so take care of Internal Revenue Services (IRS) as well as other memberships and subscriptions that you have, such as magazines and newspapers.
If you are comfortable with the idea, you may consider providing the new owners with your current address if any packages, bills, or presents are sent to your previous home after relocating.
Disconnect electrical and gas services ahead
Before moving, make sure to notify your gas, electricity, water, sewage, trash, waste, internet companies, and other utilities you have before your impending relocation. Schedule each service of when the termination will be and where to forward your final bill. In most cases, that period will coincide with the day on which your house is sold.
Ensure to terminate your home security services as well if you have one. Establishing all of this in advance will alleviate any concerns from the new homeowners and prevent you from being charged for their power consumption.
Terminate your membership and insurance with your homeowner’s association
Most likely, you’ve already purchased a new homeowners insurance plan to provide coverage for your new house, but this does not guarantee that your insurance provider will immediately terminate your current home’s insurance policy. Another reason to cancel is if you have one or more insurers or have switched agents but kept your home coverage.
You are responsible for canceling your property insurance; your mortgage will not do that for you. You can notify your broker early on, but you must validate the information on the settlement day. This is imperative as you do not want to be trapped without insurance if your closing is postponed for any reason.
Take another round of inspection before leaving
With so much to do while packing and moving, it’s easy to overlook important details and specific items in the house. Conduct a thorough and last inspection of the whole place to ensure that everything is adequately packed and you haven’t left or forgotten to pack anything important. Scan your wardrobes, cabinets, shelves, garage, basement, attic, and all other parts and corners. Since this will most likely be the last one, take your time and make sure to check every nook and cranny.
The body responds significantly to changes and worries in life; thus, moving from one house to another becomes stressful and exhausting. In the process, it’s easy to miss essential details — things that might create last-minute worry if not taken care of right away — amidst all the moving around. So, to reduce stress during your relocation, make sure to breathe and stay calm as you set time for yourself and complete all the tasks you need to accomplish before your moving date and before saying goodbye to your former house.
