10 Moving Tips from Three Rivers Association of REALTORS

As REALTORS®, we are often asked for homebuying and selling advice of all kinds, including on moving. Many clients worry about the amount of clutter they have to sift through before they move, or struggle with what they should do about the possessions they have accumulated over many years, or even decades. Moving can seem like a daunting task for many, so any tips we can share to ease our clients minds about the process, no matter how small, will help take the weight off their shoulders (and backs!).

1.    Breaking up a big move into stages helps the task become more manageable. The pros at Two Men and a Truck recommend decluttering the places where clutter tends to gather as soon as you decide to move: the attic, basement, and closets. After you have decluttered the home and gotten rid of as much possible, you can begin packing what you will take with you.

2.    Hold a rummage sale or sell items online that you don’t intend to take with you to help with moving costs. If you have friends or family helping with the move, offer them these items as a token of appreciation. Recycle and donate what’s left over.

3.    Pack a little bit each day. Start with the items you least often use (such as artwork and books) and gradually move packing to essentials like cleaning and personal care supplies just a day or two before the move.

4.    Label boxes not only with contents, but with what room they belong in. Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box.

5.    Number boxes so that you can easily check if all of them have made it to your new home.

6.    Make a separate box for vital documents and records (such as birth certificates and passports) and bring it to the new house with you instead of in the moving truck.

7.    Pack a small overnight bag for each family member so that you aren’t obligated to unpack entire boxes just to find a pair of pajamas, toothbrush, change of clothes, or child’s favorite stuffed animal at the end of a long moving day.

8.    Clothes, towels, blankets, and dish towels can be used as padding when packing dishes and other fragile items.

9.    Transport as little food as possible to save time and your arm muscles. Stop buying groceries a couple weeks before you move, and try to get through your existing supply. Donate items you can’t move to neighbors, family, or a local food pantry.

10.  But don’t forget snacks and drinks on moving day! Moving is hard work. Be sure to plan to keep the kids fed and hydrated, along with pets, on the big day.

Three Rivers Association of REALTORS® is a nonprofit professional organization located in Joliet, Illinois. We keep our members informed of housing market trends, the latest real estate industry news, and helpful tips that can improve your success in real estate. Please visit our website for more information, or call us Monday through Friday from 8-4:30 at (815) 744-4520.