We bet you didn’t know that the month of May is National Moving Month! For many reasons, one being that the school year is coming to an end, May is traditionally the month when most families sell their homes and move. The time period from Cinco de Mayo to Labor Day is the “busy season” when it comes to the housing market. Are you planning a move this month? Maybe you’re moving on up to a bigger house, or downsizing into a smaller house or condo. Whatever the case may be, here are some tips to consider when moving.
How do I pack everything? When you’re getting ready to move, the last thing you want to do is spend extra money. Whatever you do, don’t go buy stacks of boxes from the store. Instead, visit your local Walmart or Target and ask if they have large boxes that they plan to throw out. In most cases, the stores will gladly give away the boxes because it saves them the hassle of having to dispose of them. Ta-da – plenty of free moving boxes for you and your family! Don’t forget to use suitcases and any garment bags you already own when moving. Another great packing tip is to set aside special “day of” baskets for any items you’ll need up until the day of the move, as well as items you’ll want access to as soon as you’re moved into the new place.
I’m considering hiring professional movers. The first step you should take is to set up a few in-home estimates with multiple moving companies. This way, the movers will have a good idea of how much stuff you’ll be moving and they can also plan out the best route from your old home to your new one. In 2011, the Better Business Bureau received thousands of complaints about movers who lost, stole or damaged belongings during a move. But there are several things you can do to ensure a positive moving experience. First and foremost, do your homework: research potential moving companies and read any reviews you can find. You can find really helpful reviews on the
Better Business Bureau’s website. Another good resource is
www.moving.org. Second, always ask for a written contract that spells out pick-up and delivery dates. This protects you should the movers be late on the day of the move. And remember, working with professional movers isn’t all negative.
There are several advantages to hiring professional movers. These people spend their lives helping people move. They’ll be able to get the process done in a much more efficient and timely manner than your average person. The movers will also have all the proper equipment to move heavy furniture. We’ve all heard stories of people who have thrown their back out while trying to lift furniture. Don’t let that be you! One last piece of advice – book your movers well in advance. After all, May is the busiest month for moving!
Moving with kids does not have to be a stressful process. It’s a great time to purge your kids’ closets of clothes -and toys- they’ve outgrown. You can use this time as a way to teach them about giving back to the community, too. Set aside time with your children to donate clothes and toys to Goodwill or another organization. Moving is also a great opportunity to teach your children the basics of finance and how to handle money. If you’re trying to get rid of a lot of stuff before the move, set up a yard sale and ask your kids to help you price items, collect money and track sales. Make moving fun by getting your kids pumped up about exploring a new neighborhood, and decorating their new room.
Don’t let the moving process stress you out so much that you forget to be excited about your new house. Once you’re all moved in, the fun of decorating and unpacking begins!
Article submitted by Sharon
