The process of buying a home is a stressful one and the moving process can be just as daunting. Getting preparations in order, however, will help you to keep a clear head and lighten the load when moving day comes around.
Here at Owl Search, to help you prepare accordingly, we’ve put together five fundamental things you can do to make the moving process run more smoothly…
Declutter
Taking stock of your belongings and deciding what you no longer want or need is a good place to start. Not only will it help when it comes to packing, it will also give you a chance to free up space in your new home.
If you come across something you haven’t worn or used in over three months – seasonal items aside – then get shot of it. It’s better to be assertive from the beginning, your future self will thank you for it.
Of course, you don’t want everything to go to waste. Selling any unwanted goods on eBay will help to raise extra funds for your new home. Alternatively, Gone for Good, websites like freecycle and local charity shops provide useful solutions for old clothes and electronics.
Get organised
In most cases, the moving process can take a while. It’s best to get into gear early and give yourself time to prepare. Using a checklist for the duration of the move will help you to keep on top of important tasks and itemise everything you need. Dividing your tasks into weeks and giving yourself a deadline every seven days is a practical way of getting the job done. Nothing feels more satisfying than ticking a completed task off a list.
Pack efficiently
Packing typically requires the most time and effort and should commence at least a few weeks prior to the move. For this, you will need tools and materials such as packing tape, bubble wrap, marker pens, zip tie bags, labels and various sized boxes.
It’s advisable to put some time aside to focus on packing. This could mean taking a bit of time off work, finding a babysitter for your children, or simply clearing your schedule for the weekend. Doing so will enable you to pack coherently and consistently for several hours (how fun!) and therefore get a lot more done, as opposed to packing for short bursts of time.
Having an ‘essentials’ box for important documents such as birth certificates, passports, and other important information will help you to locate them easily and protect them from being stuffed in a box full of wires or clothes.
Find the right removal company
Unless you have generous friends and family who are prepared to help you transfer all of your possessions, it’s likely you’ll need to find a dependable removal company. You want to be sure that your beloved items are moved in a professional and safe manner, so when comparing quotes, do so based on the ratings, service and feedback of each company rather than just the price. If possible, try to find a firm local to your new home as they will already know the ins and outs of parking access.
After your move
Once moving day is over and you’re starting to settle in to your new home, you will need to account for each item on your inventory and check for any missing or damaged items. It’s also advisable to check that all of your keys for your new property work and everything is in order. Be sure to notify important contacts of your new address to avoid any confusion.
To ensure that all bills or other mail you’ve not changed your address on will still reach you, consider Royal Mail’s Postal Redirection service. You can get redirected post for three, six or 12 months.
All in all, while moving can be stressful, particularly if you’re selling a home at the same time, some preparation and thought can go a long way to make the process smoother.
Covering areas such as Borehamwood, Stanmore, Edgware, Harrow and Wembley, here at Owl Search, we can help with every step of the property buying and selling process. For more information, please contact us on 020 3432 3888.
We also provide free and instant valuations to give you an idea of how much your home could be worth on the current market.
