Here are a few tips on how to clear a path to a smooth move.
Set Aside Your Essentials
There are basics that you will want to set aside so that they’ll be at hand while you pack and unpack. These can range from such things as toilet paper, a toothbrush and a change of clothing to more specific items such as a basic set of tools, kitchen utensils or even a favorite book.
Donate and Purge
Once you have an idea of what to keep and what you can live without in your new home, it’s time to give.
Thrift stores and homeless shelters will happily accept clothes and furniture, and donations are a great way to recycle your possessions instead of simply throwing them away. Plus, anything you donate can be written off come tax time.
Group Similar Items
After shedding unwanted possessions, the next step is to start packing. However, with packing comes planning. Start by grouping similar items together. Keep all parts or pairs of things together. Curtain rod hangers, mirror bolts and other small hardware items should be placed in plastic bags and taped or tied securely to the article to which they belong.
Pack and Label
Pack small, fragile, individually wrapped items separately or a few together in small boxes, cushioning with crushed or shredded paper. Place small boxes in a single large box, filling in spaces with crushed paper. Limit carton weight to about 50 pounds. Avoid overloading cartons but strive for a firm pack that will prevent items from shifting. The cover should close easily without force but should not bend inward.
And don’t forget to label as you go! Not knowing what is in each box can spell disaster when you unpack. You might even consider color-coding your boxes for each room in your new house (green for the living room, blue for the kitchen, red for the bedroom, etc.).
Information provided by the Realtor.com Team.
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