Moving Checklist: Move Easy with Mark Spain Real Estate

By Mark Spain Real Estate

We want your moving process to be stress-free! At Mark Spain Real Estate, our goal is to provide an unparalleled client experience, starting with the hassle-free purchase or sale of your home. After you successfully reach your real estate goals, we recommend using our moving checklist for a smooth transition into your new home!

Mark Spain Real Estate is thankful to serve our clients from the beginning of the transaction to the closing table and beyond. We are proud to be the #1 rated real estate firm in the industry for client satisfaction with over 5,000 5-star reviews!

“Under conditions of complexity, not only are checklists a help, they are required for success.” –Atul Gawande, The Checklist Manifesto  

Moving Checklist

8 Weeks Out

This is the beginning of your move, so start with the basics! Make a moving plan, print out moving checklists, and get organized. This is a time period in which you should get all your files and important documents together, pack your valuables, start researching moving companies and begin to get rid of unwanted items. This is also a great time to do a deep clean, measure your furniture, and determine what needs to be packed, and when!

6 Weeks Out

Six weeks before your scheduled move is the perfect time to start purging your home. We love to think of Marie Kondo when doing this; take the time to go through all of your belongings and reflect not only on what you need but also on what you want to bring to your new home.  Begin by organizing your things into piles of what to trash, what to donate, and what to keep. You will soon have much fewer things that you have to physically move, as well as a better idea of the items that you will need to purchase for your new home. 

6 weeks before your move is also a great time to begin gathering moving boxes, and to start packing things you won’t be using in the next 6 weeks as you decide what you’ll be keeping, donating, and selling. 

“I recommend tidying by category, not by place. For example, instead of deciding that today you’ll tidy a particular room, set goals such as ‘clothes today, books tomorrow.’” –Marie Kondo, The Life-Changing Habit of Tidying Up

4 Weeks Out

By 4 weeks prior to your move, you should know your moving date and hopefully have the motivation and inspiration to get to work! Here are a few things to tackle at four weeks out, and to add to your moving checklist:

1. Research: This is a great time to decide on services that you might need to schedule or things you might need to buy. For example, do you need to schedule carpet cleaners for either your current or new home? Will your current curtains fit those living room windows, or will you need to order new ones? What companies provide the fastest internet speeds, or which cable providers service your new area?
2. Save on grocery bills: By eating all of the food you have in your pantry and freezer, you’ll have less waste—and more money in your pocket for all of those last-minute expenses that always seem to pop up. 
3. Decide on a moving company: Now is the time to pick your moving company. Create your plan of action for moving, and get moving coverage. You are a month away from living in your dream home!

2-3 Weeks Out

1. Change address: Many experts recommend changing your address at least 2 weeks prior to moving day so that by the time you arrive in your new home, your mail will have already been forwarded to the right mailing address. The USPS makes it easy to change your address online or in person. Be sure to confirm you have the correct, official address of your new home so the process goes smoothly. Don’t forget to also update your driver’s license, auto insurance, and car registration. 
2. Notify: Let any regular service providers (housekeeping, landscaping, pest control, etc.) know of your upcoming move. Now is also a good time to ensure you have new providers lined up for your new house. Make sure you also update or change your utilities to guarantee you have cable and internet, water and sewer, gas, electricity, satellite, security, trash, and phone services at your new home. We also encourage telling your friends and family where you’ll be moving!
3. Pack: Start with the least-used items (i.e. china, holiday decorations, out-of-season clothes) and remember to mark boxes so you (or your movers) will know exactly where to put each box. Oh, and don’t forget to check your attic for long-forgotten items that need to be packed (or donated)!
4. Plan: Make a plan for what you will eat during the week of your move, arrange any necessary child or pet care, and confirm your moving dates with everyone involved. 2-3 weeks out is also a great time to plan a moving party, if you’ll be having one!

1 Week Out

1. Get Cleaning: Whether you hire a professional or opt to do the cleaning yourself, start the process early so you aren’t feeling the pressure of last-minute cleaning at your old house while eager to settle into your new home. We recommend tidying as you pack to make the overall cleaning process less intimidating! If you’re able to get into your new home early, the week before the move is a good time to start cleaning your new home so that you unpack in a nice environment.
2. Furniture: Now is the time to start disassembling big furniture, especially anything you won’t be needing in the last few days at your home. Prepare your home to be moving truck-ready to simplify the moving process!
3. Packing: The week before a move is when most people do the majority of their packing. Be sure to finish strong and label items and locations as much as possible. Creating an inventory list is also a good idea to ensure you “unpack” as many boxes as you “packed.” Make a prioritized unpacking plan, helping you to ensure you have the right boxes open when you need them! Make sure to finish packing before your moving day. 
4. Suitcase & Essentials: The day before you move, we recommend packing a suitcase with 1-7 days worth of essentials. Beyond clothes and toiletries…you should consider including extra shoes, medications (prescription and over-the-counter), pet/baby necessities, important documents, cash for tips, valuables, and water to stay hydrated on moving day. 

PRO TIP: What are 2 things that many people forget to do during a move? Returning library books and picking up dry cleaning! Don’t forget to add these tasks to your moving checklist!

Moving Day

The big day is here! By moving day, you should have everything packed and ready to go. Try and wake up on time, check all paperwork and details, talk to the movers, and clear a path from the house to your moving truck. Move with reference to your priority list, and make sure to conduct a final walk-through and tip your movers. No move is perfect, so don’t sweat the imperfections and keep your new home and next adventure in mind as you roll with the little bumps along the road…and don’t forget to celebrate! 

After the Move

On the first day after your move, unpack all your necessities and make sure to set up your beds and bathroom. You’ll need to sleep and shower after a long day of moving! Once you’re comfortable enough, check your utilities, try to familiarize yourself with the neighborhood, and buy any groceries you need. Now is a good time to also write a moving review and send thank you notes to anyone who helped you in this process! 

As the next two weeks in your new home fly by, focus on finishing unpacking, making your house feel like home, and sitting back and relaxing. Congratulations, you’ve successfully moved!

Are you ready to sell or buy a new home and start packing? Contact us today! Click here to download our moving checklist, with a bonus tip for Mark Spain Real Estate clients!

Looking for more moving tips and tricks? Check out some of our other blogs about organizing your home, packing tips, relocation steps, and 5 tips for moving with kids.

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