When you’re moving out of your house, it is almost always a stressful time. Hopefully, your new home will be one that’s better suited to your taste. To keep yourself sane during this stressful transition period, you are going to want to focus on that. In the weeks and months leading up to your move, when half-packed boxes are all over your living room and the moving-out checklist is as long as a novel, you will need to focus the prize. Your new home might be the light at the end of the tunnel.
According to census data, almost 31 million people in the United States moved in 2019. With more than nine percent of the population moving every year, chances are you will be moving at some point. Whether you’re moving to a new neighborhood or trying out a new city, moving out can be overwhelming. Take a look at the few suggestions below that can make things a little easier.
1. Take the hassle out of selling.
If you own your home and need to sell it to move, that can add even more stress. According to the National Association of Realtors, over 5 million homes were sold in the US in 2019. Chances are your old home may be one of those this year, if you’re planning on moving. The market, competition, paperwork, realtors, open houses, and showings can be a headache.
As the seller, you will have to do everything to get the home ready for buyers and the market. One way to avoid all of this is to sell your house more quickly and easily with no realtor commissions, inspections, or other hassles. Several services offer to buy your home in as-is condition for a fair price. If you are in Southern California, there are a few of these services that are cash buyers.
Sell Quick California is one of those companies with offers such as “we buy houses California.” They endeavor to give you an offer within 30 minutes, beat current offers, pay all closing costs, and buy your home as-is. Opting for this kind of service can save you all the hassle and headache of selling your house using the traditional route. This is one way to relieve the stress of moving and get you into your new place more quickly.
2. Declutter!
When you start trying to pack up everything, you will find that you have more stuff than you could ever possibly use. This is why boxes will be your friend. Even if you think you have enough boxes, understand that it will not be enough!
You’ll need to spend a day or two scavenging boxes from all the grocery stores, liquor stores, and fruit stands in your area. Will all of this stuff in all of these boxes, it might be wise to consider a self-storage unit. You may need some time in between your moves, you may have to move to a temporary location, or you may just need room for all of your things. Storage pick-up services in California and facilities can offer climate control and ample space for your possessions.
Searching for “cheap storage units near me” yields several results, and it can also lead you to a clearinghouse company like US Self Storage. They will run your address through a database and match you with some affordable options for a storage unit near you. Additionally, they will match you with several available storage units that can be rented through lease agreements. You will be given a code so that you may access the storage unit whenever you need it. Storage facilities rent units in various sizes, and utilizing one of these can help ease your mind during your move because you’ll be able to stay organized. Whether temporary or long-term, your storage unit can help take some of the stress out of your move.
3. Find a moving truck.
With all of your stuff packed away, you are going to have to figure out how to haul it. Your best bet will be to recruit as many of your friends with trucks as can be found. This isn’t always possible, though, and that can leave you feeling anxious and uncertain. That’s where moving trucks come in! These trucks have flat rental fees with additional charges per mile, and the rate you pay depends on the size of the truck you need to rent. Most truck companies can offer advice and estimates based on how much stuff you will be moving, so it will benefit you to shop around for a moving truck if you require one.
Look for specials that can save you some money! You should also try to reserve your truck before your move to ensure that you get what you need. If you’re moving a bunch of furniture and boxes to a new home with stairs or difficult entrances, you could consider hiring a moving company. If you’re moving to another city or state, you’ll need to estimate the weight of your goods and furniture to figure out the price. While these companies can add additional costs to your move, you may find that it’s worth it for professionals to do all the heavy lifting for you. As with a truck, you should shop around for deals to save you money, as well as book them early.
4. Pack smart.
Deciding to move may have been the easiest part – actually moving may be decidedly harder. This can lead to stress and anxiety when thinking about all you need to get done. There are some ways to pack, however, that can save you time and stress. When looking at your massive wardrobe that needs to be packed up, consider packing all your clothes on their hangers.
If you take all your clothes off the hangers, fold them up, and pack them away, you will just have to reverse the process later with all your wrinkled clothes. Instead, just keep them on the hangers, wrap them in some plastic wrap (or even trash bags), and tie or zip-tie the hangers together. This will save you time on both ends of your move. Another way you can pack smarter and not harder is by packing your fragile items, such as plates and glassware, with your towels and linens. It all has to move anyway, so why not move it all together? This can also save you some money, as it eliminates the need for materials like bubble wrap and foam. By packing smarter, you can be more efficient and save some time on the front and back ends of your move.
5. Create a schedule.
So much stress can come from scrambling around on the day of your move. You will be randomly throwing things into different boxes, becoming completely unorganized and stressed out. By starting the packing process early, you will not only make your move more peaceful, but you will also make unpacking at your new house much easier. If you start early, you’ll have plenty of time to pack your boxes neatly and label and organize all of them. On top of packing, you’ll have several other things you will need to do to move out of your old house. If you get the major packing out of the way earlier, you will have more time to arrange utilities, forward mail, and make arrangements for your move.
As soon as the decision to move has been made, the best thing you can do is make a list of all the things you need to accomplish. You may then take this list and divide it up to make sure that everything gets done with as little as tension as possible. Moving can be stressful, expensive, and overwhelming. Understanding the process and what you need to do will ease some of the stress and help you to get into your new home as efficiently and calmly as possible.
