Tips for packing and moving

[dakcp2001]

Looks like we are closing Dec 27. I am overwhelmed with packing & feel pretty disorganized. Any tips? We are moving one town over. Also, when can we change the locks? Day of closing? I am still not confident these folks will be out as scheduled and if they are not we walk and they keep the house. No fooling around . I'm not waiting any longer than we already have.

 

[usnuzuloose]

When I move I always bag my groceries. Including freezer and refrigerator stuff. I always try to make sure my kitchen is put together, but since it sounds like you can't do that. I usually start packing as soon as I know I am moving and go room by room, to label all my boxes, that way they go back in basically the same room

 

[TheIncredibles!]

What state are you in? Here in NJ you take possession at closing unless you make other arrangements in advance. The sellers need to be completely moved out by the closing and you do a walk through of the house just prior to the closing not only to make sure all is well with the house but to make sure they are out as well. When you finish signing papers the house is yours and you can go change locks etc. I know from reading here that it appears this is not typical in some other areas. Your best bet is to speak with your attorney or realtor and see what they say is supposed to happen.

 

[Southernmiss]

I usually start packing as soon as I know I am moving and go room by room, to label all my boxes, that way they go back in basically the same room

This is what I did when we moved ten years ago. We had to move our stuff to a storage unit as our home sold before our new one was ready. We lived with my mom for three months.

Move in day was soooo easy and our help was finished and left by noon that day. Our home was easily livable and essentially put together. I even parked in the garage the first night.

 

[usnuzuloose]

This is what I did when we moved ten years ago. We had to move our stuff to a storage unit as our home sold before our new one was ready. We lived with my mom for three months.

Move in day was soooo easy and our help was finished and left by noon that day. Our home was easily livable and essentially put together. I even parked in the garage the first night.

We did that once as well. I am so OCD with this. But that is me. Kwangju stuff in place so I can just move. We helped a couple one time and they had two months notice and here they were packing on moving day. We did not finish till 12 am

 

[Disney Doll]

When we moved I started packing basically the day they accepted our offer. I started with the dining room because I figured in the next couple of months with all the carrying on surrounding moving that I wouldn't be throwing a dinner party.

Then I took the pictures off the walls and packed them, then the knick knacks and decorative stuff.

Like the PP I put them into boxes labelled with the room they went in. On moving day the boxes went into their corresponding room and then I unpacked room by room.

As far as when you own the house.... In CT you own the house once all the papers are signed. The sellers should be out prior to the closing and you should do a walkthrough prior to closing to make sure that is the case. If its not the case I wouldn't close, especially with your history with this seller. But ask your realtor and/or attorney what they think.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My method is to #1, rent storage shed right away.

Then I start packing breakables first. Include dishes, glasses, kitchen stuff, knicknacks, etc...The reason I pack those first is because I want to be careful with them and at the beginning of packing you are not rushing and being LESS careful with things than you are when you are near your closing date.

Get your whole house down to the absolute bare minimum for operation.

Once we get a load then we put it at the storage shed. If we have to rent more than 1 shed, we do it. If we are renting another one it means that we are kicking butt on packing.

Once you are down to the bare minimum then you make sure to mark those boxes as "Bare minimum stuff" or label with details.

Set up your bed first thing once you move all the boxes, furniture, etc. for that day. You will be doing a lot of cleaning and be very tired. It is nice to be able to jump in bed when you are done for the day. Make sure to have clean sheets, pillows, etc...easily accessible.

Good Luck!

 

[lauradis]

We did room by room too.

It wasn't open a box label it bathroom and throw everything in it was more like bathroom/ towels. etc etc

plus moving is great way to get rid of alot of junk stuck in closets that you really don't want.

I you haven't already done this. have couple of boxes that are for give away then get rid of boxes, never to grace new house

Do the reverse when unpacking if what ever you bring just doesn't fix into new place or you say why did i pack that out it goes.

dinning room like above poster says is great place to line up all the boxes too

kitchen and bathrooms are the first to set up and the last to pack in moving

try to start with closets, clothes, knickknacks, pictures, stuff in storage attics, basements.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I just moved and the smartest thing I did was label each box by number and recorded what was in each box. I had a lot of running around to do when I got down here that I couldn't unpack all the boxes right away so this allowed me to find what I needed when I needed it. Also get rid of things you don't need anymore - donate/sell to charities or friends. Also check in ABF if you're hiring a mover. I just used their Relocubes (similar to PODS) and they were awesome. Very well priced, everyone was super nice and everything traveled 1000+ miles safely.

 

[sonnyjane]

Honestly, and I don't mean this in jest, the smartest decision I ever made was hiring movers for our most recent move. I packed the extremely valuable things and moved those separately, but other than that, they came in with their boxes and just packed EVERYTHING. Two movers did a 2/2 condo in one full 8-hour day and 2 hours the next morning.

 

[ronandannette]

Honestly, and I don't mean this in jest, the smartest decision I ever made was hiring movers for our most recent move. I packed the extremely valuable things and moved those separately, but other than that, they came in with their boxes and just packed EVERYTHING. Two movers did a 2/2 condo in one full 8-hour day and 2 hours the next morning.

Yep, this. We always hire movers and it's money WELL spent. Of course that won't help with the other problem though and may even be an added source of pressure; movers take your stuff at an appointed time and expect to be able to re-locate and unload it immediately thereafter.

 

[cluvsdisney]

In addition to what's been mentioned:

1. I use larger heavy duty garbage bags for clothes. I cut a small whole at the bottom & use them like a garment bag. When I get to the new place, I out everything back in the closet and tear away the garbage bags.

2. When possible I use towels & sheets as cushions in boxes with fragile items.

3. Be specific when you label boxes. Put the room the stuff goes in on the box so the movers can place them in the right room. Don't put misc. on any of the boxes. From experience, it's things I didn't need for a while but I couldn't remember what was in there so I looked in that box too many times to count.

4. Pack one or two boxes with absolute essentials...shower curtain, bath room tissue, sheets, towels, coffee maker, and so on...things you know you will need the first day or two.

Good luck!

 

[PigletsPal2]

If you know what time your closing will take place, make an appointment for a locksmith to meet you at your new house a couple of hours after you anticipate your closing meeting to be over. Your realtor can give you a realistic estimate of how long the closing will take. And you'll want to take a little time to have a celebratory lunch!

I totally agree with the suggestion that you set up and make your beds first thing. I'd also suggest that you set up the bathroom with at least the basics - soap, shampoo, bath mat, towels, shower curtain. A lovely hot shower will feel so good before you collapse into your freshly-made bed after a hard day of unpacking.

We moved house more than 20 times in our first 35 years of marriage; I know whereof I speak!

Queen Colleen

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

Looks like we are closing Dec 27. I am overwhelmed with packing & feel pretty disorganized. Any tips? We are moving one town over. Also, when can we change the locks? Day of closing? I am still not confident these folks will be out as scheduled and if they are not we walk and they keep the house. No fooling around . I'm not waiting any longer than we already have.

Glad to see you are going through with it and hoping the crazies get out with no problems!! You should change the locks right away and then paint over the murals!!

 

[Sugardimples]

We pack our suitcases with all of the clothing we will need for the first few days. It really helps to have everything you need to get ready for bed and to get yourself dressed without having to dig anything out of boxes. Our medications also go into the suitcases.

By the same token, we pack a few boxes that are very clearly marked with sheets, towels, the coffeemaker, mugs, coffee, and anything else you will want right away. The quicker you can get your hands on these essentials, the easier the transition will be.

 

[DebbieB]

Not only label the boxes, label the furniture by floor & room. When I moved last year, it cut down on the time since I was paying them by the hour.