You might think that once you find your perfect Michigan home, all of the hard work is done. However, you couldn’t be more wrong because your next move is right around the corner, and we all know how stressful moving can be. Even though it’s wonderful to think about the possibilities when you settle into a new home with a blank slate and brand-new experiences, there’s still a lot of work ahead of you. Unfortunately, no shortcut button would allow you to jump to the point where you’ve already moved into your new home, and everything is unpacked. Preparing for your next move and going through the moving process is something you can’t avoid. But there are ways to make it easier, and in this article, that’s exactly what we’ll help you with.
Preparing for your next move? Here are pro tips to help you make it smooth and stress-free
As you already know, moving is all but fun. Sure, there are plenty of positive aspects to look forward to. For instance, it’s always a good idea to remember the excitement of relocating to a new place – a new home, apartment, city, or even nation! But the relocation process itself can be so overwhelming that it can put up a dark cloud over your entire experience.
Caption: Your next move can be stress-free and easy if you start preparing in advance.
Alt-tag: A happy couple packing their belongings into cardboard boxes for their move.
Most people don’t realize that you can have an easy and stress-free experience if you start preparing for your next move on time. In fact, as soon as your experienced Michigan Realtor® helps you find the home of your dreams, you should start planning your next steps. And to help you do that, here are seven simple tips we’ve gathered from moving industry pros.
#1 Moving checklist is a must
The first step in your moving preparations should be making a moving checklist. Although it may seem tedious, a moving checklist is effective and truly does the trick. Writing or typing your to-do list will help you commit it to memory, saving you time by preventing you from wasting it attempting to recall what has to be done. This is extremely useful if you’re moving abroad or even preparing for a long distance move within Michigan.
Here are just some of the examples of what you should put on your checklist:
- Contact utility companies to arrange service termination and/or service transfer to your new home.
- Organize mail forwarding.
- Gather moving supplies and packing materials.
- Anything you don’t want to forget to do or pick up
You can simply cross off each item as you finish it to keep on track. Plus, you’ll feel more productive when you see your list slowly shrinking as you approach your moving day.
#2 Set a moving budget
Even though moving might be expensive, if you make an effort to budget correctly, you can even save money. Setting a realistic budget will help you know how much you can afford. For instance, you’ll be able to determine whether you can afford a full-service relocation or must perform a DIY move. Your move won’t cost you more than you can afford if you have a reasonable moving budget.
Caption: One of the most important steps when preparing for your next move is to set a realistic budget.
Alt-tag: A person typing on a laptop with a calculator and a coffee mug next to it.
#3 Declutter your belongings
Moving gives you a perfect excuse to go through your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer want or need. Packing everything may seem like a simple solution, but transferring all your belongings to your new home may quickly feel congested.
Instead, get rid of things you won’t likely need any longer because doing so can save you a ton of time and even money. For example, you can sell your extras online or even organize a yard sale. That’s a great way to boost your moving budget, especially if you’re already struggling to make it work.
#4 Research and hire reputable movers
If your budget allows you, it’s time to start looking for movers. After all, the whole process will be that much easier if you rely on expert help. This is especially true if you’re in for long distance moving in Michigan or even more so if you’re moving out of state.
Begin by asking friends and family for recommendations. Before making a choice, get and compare quotes from different moving companies. It would be best if you did not rush this decision, so take your time until you’ve found the right team to assist you.
#5 Gather packing supplies and materials
Once you declutter and sort your belongings, you’ll have a much more precise notion of how much you need to move. That means it’s time to start gathering packing supplies and materials. Make sure you get extra moving boxes. The last thing you want to do is scramble to find or buy more on packing day. That would only add more stress to the process.
#6 Disassemble all your beds and furniture
For a simpler transfer to your new home, we strongly advise disassembling all furniture pieces and beds. Especially if you employ a moving company. Even while the movers can do everything for you, if this is something you can handle yourself, you’ll save so much time and money. Furthermore, your movers might appreciate your assistance as well.
Remember, your beds and furniture must be taken apart before being loaded into the moving van. So if you can finish this task before the movers get there, it will take them less time to complete it at your house.
#7 Make sure your new place is waiting for you clean
If you have access to your new home before the move-in day, consider completing a thorough cleaning there. Of course, only if it isn’t already spotless while everything is excellent and empty.
You can relax more knowing your new home is waiting for you, clean and move-in ready.
Caption: You can relax more knowing your new home is waiting for you, clean and move-in ready.
Alt-tag: Happy couple holding a laptop while sitting on a couch surrounded by moving boxes after moving into their new home.
With so many people coming in and out after the move, you will need to clean a little bit again, but it’s ideal to have done it once before so you can immediately start unpacking. During your relocation, you can already store items like kitchen utensils. Also, you should make sure the cabinets and drawers are immaculate.
Good luck preparing for your next move!
We hope our article made preparing for your next move much easier and less stressful. And if you’re still looking for that perfect Michigan home to move to, don’t wait! Take advantage of the current housing market and start searching even today. Better yet, reach out to a knowledgeable Michigan Realtor® who’ll help you every step of the way and ensure you find a property that fits all your wants and needs.