How To Prepare For A Move Into A Bigger Home
Families always ebb and flow in size depending on what
stage of life their family is. In the beginning, when just starting a family,
the need for a home is usually about providing the basics. However, as the
family gets larger and children grow a little older, the need for a larger home
is not unusual. For many people that are buying their second home, they are
often growing in size. As they search for a bigger home, usually they are
ready to get some of the special amenities they always wanted but couldn’t find
in the smaller home. You want to be able to move around in your home and not
feel like it is too tight of a fit. Maybe you need a bigger lot with a fenced
yard, or some acreage to build a large garage.
Proper Planning
And Preparing
While buying a new larger home can be an exciting time
for a family, it does not come without some difficulties. When families are
moving using Allied Van Lines, they will get a
cost estimate based on how many rooms of furnishings and additional boxes will
be moved. In some cases, it may be cheaper to buy furniture for the new home
rather than move some of the bigger, bulkier old furniture.
In addition to planning, wondering what to do with the
furnishings, and what to move, it is extremely important to remember the new
home will probably have higher expenses for insurance, mortgage payments,
utilities, and taxes. Because of this, proper budgeting for the move and the
first six months of expenses after the move is a wise idea. It may be
wise to hold off on buying all new furnishings.
You may want to plan on having a packing room where boxes
are at the ready. Have packing tape, marking pens, packing materials, such as
bubble wrap or old newspapers also. Make sure you mark the boxes you know you
will need first with some kind of a symbol. A good idea is to put your
belongings you will need on your first day there in a conspicuous box: sheets,
towels, toiletries, and a change of clothes. You could also put them in a
suitcase or clothes hamper for easy access.
Sometimes we think that a large box is for the big heavy
stuff, but just the opposite is true. Fill those large boxes with the light
things, and put things that are heavier, such as books, in small boxes. If you
fill those large boxes to the brim with heavy items, they will break. And if
they break, that slows you down.
Boxes are wonderful because you can stack them, but so
are sturdy trash bags. You can squish a trash bag. Fill them with your
unbreakables. They then can be put into trucks and will morph into the shapes
that the boxes cannot. Don't unpack your dressers. Keep your items in the
drawers. Also, don't pack empty suitcases. Fill them up with clothes or other
items.
Another great suggestion is setting an area aside for
storage of the boxes and items that are ready to be moved. This will help make
more room in the home. Doing this is also extremely helpful in encouraging
family members to focus on the things that are still in need of packing,
sorting, donating and throwing away. Getting rid of items no longer needed is
such a good idea. We all have things that are taking up space that we do not
use anymore, and why pay money to have these items moved. Cleaning away old
junk will make moving day so much easier.
In general, it is best to plan on having most things
ready to be moved several days before the actual moving date. In many cases,
the process can often go smoother if a storage unit is rented while packing to
help clear out the house sooner, so it can be cleaned and ready for the buyer.
If a storage unit is not an option, try to keep the boxed items and the large
furnishings in a garage to get it out of the way while you clean your
home.
Moving is never at the top of anyone's "fun"
list, but with some good planning, it can go smooth. Get going on that packing
and happy moving!
