Preparing To Move: 7 Proactive Tips To Make Your Life Easier

By Fran Campbell Johnson - July 15, 2015

Buying a new house is a whirlwind of planning and excitement. Touring prospective homes, organizing your finances, making offers, finalizing paperwork... buying a house at the Lake of the Ozarks (or anywhere else) is a big process, but it is well worth every second. Of course, your job isn't finished after you close on your new house! Once you sign your name and get the keys, you get to begin moving all of your belongings into your new home.

As any experienced mover will tell you, moving is a massive undertaking - but it doesn't have to be overwhelming! By beginning your preparations a few months before it's actually time to move, you can make the process much easier. Your friends at the best real estate agency at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to help you with these simple but effective suggestions!

1. DOWNSIZE
There's no point in going to all the trouble of packing up and moving items that you no longer need or want! Well before you begin packing, do yourself a favor and start pulling out all of your belongings that you don't need anymore. You can donate these unwanted items to a local thrift store, or you can host a garage sale. Either way, it will make the moving process much easier.

2. PACK NON-ESSENTIALS FIRST
You can begin packing off-season clothes, nostalgic memorabilia, and other items that you rarely use well before the move. By packing these items now, there will be less to do during crunch time. You will thank yourself later!

3. WRITE IT DOWN
What's the biggest lie you will ever tell yourself during the move? "I'll remember that." We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but no - you won't remember it. There are so many details that need attention during a move that there's no way anyone could keep track of it all! Keep yourself organized by dedicating a separate notebook specifically to the move. Use it to write down reminders, budgets, to-do lists, and anything else you need to keep yourself on track.

4. GET FREE MOVING SUPPLIES
Even if you don't hire professional movers, moving can be expensive by the time you add up the cost of all your extra boxes and crates you need to pack your belongings, the moving trucks you have to rent, and the gas that covers your trips to and from your new home. By gathering supplies well in advance, you can bide your time and wait for freebies from friends or family members who may no longer need their extra moving boxes.

5. ORGANIZE YOUR NEW ROOMS (NOT YOUR OLD ONES)
Begin with the end in mind. Rather than putting all the items in your current craft room in one box, for example, decide if you want to set up a new craft room in your next home or if you would rather turn it into an office. If you would rather go with the office, then only pack the craft room items that can be transformed into office materials in that box and put the others somewhere else. Packing your items according to the new rooms they will occupy will make unpacking much easier down the road.

6. DESIGNATE A BABYSITTER
Moving can be hard work, but it is guaranteed to be even harder with small children underfoot. If your kids are not old enough to help with the moving process, plan ahead to have a friend, family member, or babysitter watch the little ones. Arranging childcare for the big day is critical, but you may also find it helpful to have someone watch your kids on certain days leading up to the move so you can dedicate some concentrated effort to packing and making other preparations.

7. STRATEGIZE YOUR MENU
You may not realize how much food you have stockpiled in the back of your pantry until you have to move it all to your new kitchen. Do yourself a favor and start organizing your food items now and planning menus that will use what you have. When you go grocery shopping, only buy items that you plan to consume before the move. Having to move some food is almost inevitable, but paring it down to the smallest possible amount will make things easier.

Good Luck!
Happy packing! Moving is a lot of work, but setting up your new home at the Lake of the Ozarks is incredibly rewarding. If you are still in the process of shopping for homes for sale at the Lake of the Ozarks, give us a call! Our team of experienced real estate agents would love to help you find your new dream home.

Contact the Fran Campbell Team to schedule a showing!