We’ll proudly display that sold sign in our front yards. We’ll tell our friends how we bought our new home Trump style and got the best deal in town. Then suddenly it hits us. Oh my God! We’re moving!!! We have to take all our stuff from this house and get it to the next one. Finding a new home is a great experience bring or stuff to it stinks!
Plainly put moving bites! Packing, carrying, loading, unloading, carrying again, and then unpacking, and finally figuring out where everything goes in the new home is strenuous, time consuming, and above all frustrating. Take it from me I worked for a moving company all through high school and college, relocating America’s fortune 500 executives. You want to see the CEO of MBNA or PEPSI Co. sweating and his knees shaking, roll up to his (or her) familys multimillion-dollar home in an 18-wheeler. They’d rather take an analyst call over moving any day.
Whether the CEO or an entry level gopher there are some basic principles I am going to cover in this entry. To make your move as stress free as possible.

First. Have a Plan!

Most of us usually only have a few weeks to a month to move. Go through room by room and begin to pack. Start with items that are out of season and are not used in your daily routine. Start in rooms like the formal dining room, office, spare bedrooms, garage and storage areas. The final days before the move should focus on the kitchen and bedrooms.

Second. Change of Address.

Still getting mail forward to you from your college dorm? It’s never too early to change your address. Better to give the Post Office more time to find you theses days.

Third: Vehicles

If your moving cross country or further than 400 miles most moving companies will transport your vehicle (for a fee). In my experience it is much easier to fly from the old home to the new home then pack the car with the children and pets and try to drive. Usually between food, gas and lodging it’s a wash financially. So your decision is based on stress; the short plane ride always wins! If it’s within 400 miles consider driving since it can be done within one day.

Fourth: Children

Usually moving is not fun for the children in the family. This can be very taxing on the movers when their carrying your antique dresser to the truck and little Johnny won’t get of the doorway or he keeps screaming when he sees his favorite toys being packed. If your family lives close by it’s a good idea to have them spend the day with Grandpa. If your family isn’t close by maybe one spouse can take the children out while the other manages the move.

Fifth: Lights, Bills, Keys.

The house formerly known as your home is empty. The truck has rolled off to the new home and the kids are on the way back from Grandpa’s. Take the time to say good bye by turning off all lights, calling the utility companies and letting them know you no longer live there, and drop off the keys with your Realtor. A good realtor comes by on moving day and brings water for the movers!

Sixth: Plan B.

Make sure that you book your hotel for a day or two extra incase you run into problems on the arrival side of the move. I have shown up to new construction homes without any floors, seen closings fall through, and had to put everything in the garage and basement because the living areas of the house were covered in wet paint. When moving better safe then homeless!

Death, Taxes and Moving: no one looks forward to these prospects. Unlike Death and Taxes with Moving (if planned well) you’ll be in control.

Happy Hunting,

James Morrison

Filed under: Boston Relocation