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Take Care of These Tasks Before Moving

by Scott Darling


Buying a home is so exciting, and unless your new home is brand new construction or newly renovated, there may be a few projects you have planned. If any of these
 plans are in the current budget, get them completed before moving: 

 

  • First things first, change all locks on the house, including the garage door and any outbuildings. 
     

  • Painting interior walls would be finished sooner if done before getting boxes and furniture in the house. 
     

  • Most sellers are required to leave the house and property clean as a whistle, but doing a deep clean on your own or hiring a pro to do the job will make you feel better, knowing it was done.  Have hard surfaces steam-cleaned to ensure that as much dirt, grease, and germs have been blasted away.  
     

  • Any flooring projects you would like done would go more smoothly if completed before living there.   
     

  • Have a look at electrical outlets in each room and add or move them as needed. Consider upgrading outlets to include USB plugs as well, making it more convenient to charge your gadgets. 
     

  • Call an HVAC repair person and have the AC unit thoroughly cleaned and ask if they offer a service plan so that you do not have to schedule this twice per year. 
     

  • If getting new toilets is not possible, at least purchase and install new seats.  In case the bolts are stubborn, The Family Handyman offers some help in getting the old seat off. 
     

  • The security system should be up and running before moving, so check any existing installations and decide to upgrade or not. Get the internet connection established so you can test everything so it will be ready when you bring your belongings. 

 

Any major renovations to the house would make life easier for you and your family if they are finished or nearly so by the time you are ready to move in.  Otherwise, stay a while before you decide if the remodel is exactly what you need.  Once the big things are done, enjoying your new home, and getting to know your neighbors will be the number one priority. 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Photo credit: locksmith nowra

105 Relocation Tips

by Scott Darling

Areavibes relocation tips infographicThis infographic is brought to you by the team at AreaVibes, a site that helps you find the best places to live. For more relocation advice, check out 105 Tips for a Successful Relocation

Items to Throw Out Before You Move

by Scott Darling

Although moving from an old house into a new house can be an exciting time it can also be a very stressful time for those folks who don’t like to throw anything out.  Don’t worry you can keep most of your items but there are a few that should most definitely be thrown out before you move and those are listed for you below.   

 

  1. 1. If you have a lot of old towels and rags lying around your house, whether you use them or not, you might want to get rid of those before you move  into another home.  These types of things can carry bacteria on them and you don’t want to start out in your new place with dirty items when you can purchase new ones once you arrive.   

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  1. 2. Make-up is good to have but it does have a shelf life and once that has passed it isn’t really good to keep it around.  Avoid the compulsion to throw all of your old makeup into a box and take it with you.  Although you might perhaps use it once or twice there really is no need for it because it won’t look as nice as a new pallet of makeup.  

  2.  

  1. 3. Soaps, deodorants, nail polish,  and sunscreen maybe things you use on a regular basis but you really don’t need to take up space in your moving boxes for these types of items.  These things don’t cost a lot of money and can easily be purchased anywhere.  

  2.  

  1. 4. Once you start packing and you find a ton of USB cables, realize that you don’t need them all and get rid of a few of them.   You may have a friend in need of a USB cable that you can bless with one or two.   

  2.  

  1. 5. Don’t pack paperwork unless it is absolutely necessary.  Of course you will have to keep important contracts and tax information but most of the paperwork you’ve collected over the years is likely now obsolete and can be thrown out before you head out.   

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  1. 6. Last but not least, go ahead and let go of all of the clothes you can no longer fit into.  Donating these types of items can many times be a big blessing to others.   

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These are just a few ideas of things you might want to get rid of before you move.  By doing this you will avoid having to unpack all sorts of unnecessary items and will save yourself a ton of time in the process.  

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

 

Move 

Plan Now for Your Big Move This Summer

by Scott Darling

The big move - it should be in all-caps and announced with a deep, authoritative voice. THE BIG MOVE. And it's coming to your family soon. It might be from one house to another across town, or it might involve crossing many state lines. No matter the distance, amount of belongings or number of people, your big move is going to be a big deal.

movingThere are ways to plan for your move so the big event doesn't overwhelm you. Here are five moving tips you with your big move.

1. Less is better –

The less you have to move, the easier your move will be on your body and your wallet. It will also be easier to fit everything into your new house. While packing, create three piles. The first is your "must-go" pile. The second is your "must-sell" pile, which includes anything you haven't used in the last year, anything you have multiples of and anything you just don't want any more. The third is the "must-throw" pile, and it contains anything that can't be sold at a garage sale or donated. Start creating these piles now, and it will make moving day much easier.

2. Stock up on supplies –

Big boxes might seem like a great idea because they can hold so much stuff, but what happens when you try to lift one and carry it down a flight of steps? Stock up on boxes of multiple sizes, but keep in mind that smaller is much easier to carry. Also stock up on foam and bubble wrap to protect your fragile items, a good supply of packing tape and bold markers for labeling boxes. You'll also want to have moving blankets and hand trucks to make it easier to transport your items.

3. Rent a truck –

One trip makes the big move simple, even if you're just moving across town. Most movers find the 12- or 16-foot truck perfect for moving a few large items or the contents of a small condo or apartment.

4. Pack smart –

Load the heaviest items on the truck first. When you've got a sturdy base of the heaviest items, you can start stacking on top. This is when it's handy to list a box's contents on its side. If you have friends and family helping, they'll know not to set books on top of your china.

5. Safety and security -

Trucks are taller, wider, heavier and require more stopping distance than the vehicle you are used to driving. Take extra precaution, especially when the truck is loaded. Watch out for low-hanging tree branches and building overhangs, and use extra caution when cornering. To protect your belongings, park in well-lit areas and padlock the rear door. To make sure you've got everything you need on moving day, create a travel bag for keeping important paperwork, credit cards, identification, a change of clothes, drinks and snacks close at hand.

As you cross days off on the calendar and the big day approaches, these tips will help you sail through the event with few conflicts. Before you know it, you'll be settled in your new home. (BPT)

Displaying blog entries 1-4 of 4

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