How to Prepare for Relocating to Another State

Moving to another state can be a major ordeal. Not only do you have to pack up your entire home, but you’re also moving to a new area. 

If you’re somewhat familiar with the area, there might be less stress involved. However, even if you’re moving to a town you’ve been to before, the whole process can feel overwhelming. 

We want to make your life a bit easier. Keep reading for a quick guide on how to prepare for relocating to another state. We’ll tell you everything you need to know to minimize stress and streamline the process.

Figure Out What to Do With Your Current Home

One of the biggest hurdles of moving anywhere is figuring out what to do with your current home. If you’re renting a house or an apartment, this isn’t a big deal. 

However, if you own the home, you’ll need to sell it. If you’re relocating to another state soon, you’ll need to find a way to sell the house quickly. 

You can work with a realtor and prepare the house for the market traditionally. However, this often takes several months. Between repairs and renovations, placing the home on the market, negotiating with buyers, and waiting for the closing process, you’re looking at two to three months minimum. 

If you’re in the position where you’re thinking, “I need to sell my house now,” there’s another option. You can sell your house to a cash home buyer. 

They will inspect the home and give you a cash offer. If you accept the offer, you can close on the house within one or two weeks.

Declutter Your Home and Minimize Your Belongings 

One of the best moving tips is to declutter your home before relocating to another state. This process will help you minimize your belongings, which will make the entire moving process easier. 

Go room to room organizing everything you own into four categories:

• Keep 
• Sell
• Donate
• Trash

You might be surprised how much money you can make selling unwanted possessions online. Valuable items include clothing, electronics, sporting and recreational equipment, books, furniture, etc. 

If something doesn’t have much value, you can donate it. Finally, you can throw away items that have no value or use.  

Start the Packing Process Early

Now that you’re house is decluttered, you can start the packing process. We recommend beginning as soon as possible to save yourself last-minute scrambling and stress. 

Start packing up spare rooms, spare bathrooms, and storage items. You won’t need out-of-season clothing, holiday decor, or keepsakes between now and the time you move. 

As you get closer to relocating to another state, you can begin packing up the rest of your home. In the last week or two of living in your current home, the only thing left unpacked should be the bare essentials. 

Schedule a Professional Moving Company in Advance

Long before your relocation, reach out to a moving company to schedule your move. This will ensure that they are available for the day and time you need them. 

Before hiring the movers, verify their credibility via customer reviews. A simple Google search, for example: southlake tx movers, will show you reputable movers in that area, along with their customer reviews.  Additionally, make sure they handle long-distance moves. Some moving companies only operate within the state.

You might be able to save some money while relocating to another state if you get help from friends and family. If they’re willing to drive the distance, you can avoid hiring a moving company. 

However, this option is often more tedious and less secure. Professional movers, on the other hand, have the proper tools and vehicles to transport things like pianos, safes, and other large/heavy items. They also have insurance policies in place to cover the costs of replacing anything that might get damaged in transit. 

Figure Out Your Future Living Situation

One of the most practical moving tips is to find out where you’re going to live once you get to your new state. If you can’t visit the state before you move, buying a house sight unseen isn’t recommended. Instead, consider renting an apartment or staying in an extended-stay hotel until you find the right home. 

If you’re relocating to another state through your company, they might provide you with temporary lodging or housing. Regardless, this is something you need to figure out soon, especially if you’re moving with kids. 

It will also go a long way to reduce your stress if you know you have a place waiting for you when you arrive in your new town. 

Take Care of Your Utilities

Canceling your utilities is an important tip to remember when learning how to relocate to another state. Forgetting to turn off your power or gas could end up costing you hundreds of dollars in heat and air conditioning you’re not using. 

Make a list of each of your utilities (water, gas, electric, waste removal) and service providers (internet, cable, phone) to make sure you cancel these services before you leave. If possible, schedule their cancelation in advance so it’s one more thing off your plate. 

If you have an address waiting for you in your new town, it’s also a good idea to have services turned on before you arrive. Relocating to another state is difficult enough. It might ruin your arrival if you don’t have water, power, or internet for your first few days. 

Change Your Mailing Address

Finally, before your relocation, don’t forget to change your mailing address. If you don’t have a permanent address yet, you can fill out a form to temporarily forward your mail to a PO box, friend, or relative. 

Otherwise, you can officially change your address through the USPS website. It’s also important to contact the people and businesses who send you mail so they can update your address in their records. Otherwise, magazine subscriptions, bills, and online shopping packages will go to your old home. 

Are You Relocating to Another State?

If you’re planning on relocating to another state, take a deep breath and relax. It’s all going to work out just fine. Follow our guide to ensure everything goes smoothly. 

And if you’re looking for more lifestyle tips or homeowner advice, you’re in the right place. Before you go, take a look at some of our other blog articles to find more helpful information.