Reducing Stress During a Move Out

Moving is a big task, but it doesn’t need to be daunting. With the right strategy and checklist, anyone can prepare for their move out of an apartment, condo or house and into their next home. The following move out checklist offers tips preparing to pack, collecting important documents and cleaning. Sometimes moves happen sooner than expected and other times there are months to prepare, but with a little organization, the process can run smoothly, regardless of the timeline.

Documents and Records

It’s important that school records, utility companies, banks and other parties are aware that a move is coming and they have the proper updated address to send bills and records.

School records – Talk to the school and get a copy of kids’ transcripts, report cards and other vital information so they can get enrolled smoothly in a new school.
Forwarding address – Once a moving day is established, go to the USPS website, or in person, and fill out a forwarding address form for the family. Depending on the location, it can take up to two weeks to start receiving mail at the new address.
Utilities – Check in with the existing utility companies and notify them of the upcoming move and make arrangements to pay the final bill. Also set up utilities at the new address.
Subscriptions – Update the address on any magazines or mail-order subscriptions.
Bank and insurance – Give the bank and insurance companies the effective date of the new address.
Prescriptions – No one wants to be driving across the country looking for a pharmacy to fill a prescription at the last minute. Talk to the doctor and pharmacist to get a refill of any important prescriptions and pack them in an easy-to-get-to location during the move.
Vital records – Place passports, social security cards, birth certificates, health records and other critical documents in a safe place that is easily accessible.

Packing

In preparation for the move, begin collecting boxes, storage boxes, portable wardrobe, packing tape, bubble wrap (or similar product), paper for wrapping and markers. Hiring a moving company can help with this process, but if hiring movers who also pack the property is outside the budget, here are a few tips to make the packing process easier.

Purge and organize – Go through each room and decide what items can be donated, sold, thrown out or kept. If anything will require extra padding or special assistance in moving, make a note of those needs.
Fridge and freezer – If the refrigerator/freezer or a stand-alone freezer are moving too, they need to be unplugged two or three days before the move to thaw thoroughly. No one wants to move a freezer that’s dripping water from the door, and the smells don’t help either. Take time to properly clean and prepare these appliances.
Infrequent items – If you’re moving in July, chances are the Christmas tree is not a necessity at the moment, so that, along with all other holiday décor, can be packed and ready for the moving truck. The same goes for other seasonal or infrequently-used items, toys, small appliances, camping equipment, etc.
Separate valuables – Keepsake items, such as jewelry, special figurines or dishes, trophies, ornaments, pictures, etc. should be separated out and wrapped in a way that will protect them from the outside elements as well as being jostled around in the back of a truck or van. Mark these boxes as “fragile” so whomever handles it knows to be extra careful.
Label everything – Get the Sharpie ready because labeling each box will be important and come in useful as moving day progresses. Mark each box with a short description of what’s inside and the room it belongs to. For example, “Dishes, Kitchen” or “Towels, Master bathroom.”

Cleaning

Whether it’s moving in or moving out, cleaning is a good idea. Have a box with cleaning supplies readily available and be ready to use it when leaving one place and then going into the other. It’s a lot easier to clean carpets in an empty house than it is in one with furniture everywhere. People moving out of an apartment should pay special attention to cleaning because it could make the difference between getting the deposit back or not. Check with the landlord about cleaning requirements before moving out, to ensure the maximum amount of the deposit can be returned.

Moving is a time-consuming task because there are so many facets and items to keep track of, whether it’s the actual packing or contacting all the different schools, companies, etc. to update addresses. The bottom line is that with a little organization and preparation, moving does not need to be overly stressful. Consider checking Pinterest and Google to download printable checklists for packing, moving and cleaning.

Dawn McClara is owner of Whalen Realty Group, at the F.C. Tucker Company, and has worked in residential real estate for more than 17 years. She’s a licensed realtor, broker, is a member of MIBOR, and founder of Whalens Heroes, which provides funding to purchase service animals for veterans. She can be reached at dawn.mcclara@talktotucker.com.