Moving into a new apartment in a new neighborhood can be very stressful, you have many things to remember and to coordinate. But with some planning, it is possible to have a stress-free move. Anticipating what may go wrong before it does will definitely reduce stress.
A move to a new apartment brings a fresh start and can be exciting as long as the move goes well. Problems during your move can often be avoided, however, let’s take a look at some moving tips.
Get Your Finances In Order
Before you even consider a move, it is imperative to evaluate your financial status. There will be costs associated with moving including security deposit, first month’s rent and the actual expense of moving.
One of the most essential things you can do before looking for an apartment is to make sure your financial house is in order. One of the things that most landlords are going to require is a credit check. You obviously want your credit scores to be the best they can possibly be. One excellent site you may want to consider using is Credit Karma. Credit Karma allows you to see your financial picture and gives you advice on where you can improve it. Have a look at how Credit Karma works in the comprehensive article at Maximum Real Estate Exposure. Get your credit scores and report from the site.
Planning Ahead
As soon as you know the date of your move, you need to be on top of the decisions about the move. Are you going to get help moving or get a rental and move things yourself? Even if you have the professional movers to help with your move, you will still be moving some of your own stuff. You will want to take care of your most valuable items yourself, for example.
Make a list of all the things that you need to consider when moving. Address every item on the list and this will help you with your move. Items that need to be addressed prior to your move include:
- Select a move-in date
- Coordinating turning off utilities at your existing apartment
- Turning on utilities at your new apartment before your move-in date
- Determine what day of the week that you are planning to move
- Ensure the apartment does not have restrictions around your move-in day
- Start collecting moving boxes (you can start saving boxes from your deliveries)
- Obtain change of address information from USPS
Decluttering
If you have lived in your apartment for a few years, there could have been an accumulation of stuff you no longer need. Moving gives you the perfect opportunity to have a good clear out and get rid of things you don’t want anymore. The fewer things you have to move, the less it will cost you and the easier it will be.
You could use your decluttering as an opportunity to make some money. Even if something has little value to you anymore, maybe it will be worth something to others. List items for sale online or have a garage sale to lighten the burden you will have for your move. It is easy to sell items online including clothing. However, if you do not want to be bothered, you can always donate your clothing. If you have extra linens and towels, there are many pet rescues that appreciate these items as they are utilized for the animals they care for.
Prepare for Packing
Create a packing list of items which you are taking with you on your move, a couple of months in advance. Keep your important documents together in a folder and keep them in a safe place. You don’t want to be hunting through boxes you’ve packed for that document that you need for the move. Be sure to include any insurance information that may be required by your landlord.
If you are buying new appliances, you will need to order them in advance so that they can be delivered prior to you moving in. You will need to coordinate any appliance delivery with the landlord.
Hiring a Moving Company
About a month and a half before the move, you need to find a moving company unless you are doing it yourself. Check customer feedback and reviews, to make sure you are hiring professionals, and get a quote from them. Make sure they have the correct insurance for your possessions and get a record of it. At this point, it could be a good idea to deal with your utilities and change of address information.
Packing Time
You should start packing at this stage as well. The sooner you start, the less chance that you will be rushed, and you have the time to be more organized. Label your boxes, saying which room they should go to and what they contain. You can even color-code rooms to make things simpler. Make sure to avoid packing things you are going to need before and during the move. All this organization will ensure a stress-free move.
Even if you are having the moving company help with packing, it is probably better to pack your most valuable items yourself. Use bubble wrap, towels, and linen to keep your things secure in moving boxes. Make sure you fill up any empty space in boxes so that things can’t move around in transit. Try to utilize environmentally friendly packing items.
Dealing with Your Pets
Your pets could become stressed by the moving experience. They aren’t going to understand what is happening and could use the confusion of the day to make a bid for freedom. For these reasons, it could be a good idea to have a friend take care of your pets for the day, or take them to be boarded at a kennel for a day or two. If you decide to board your pets, then be prepared to provide them with your pet’s health records such as their immunization records.
If you have them with you when the move is taking place, you should make sure pets are secured in a crate with provisions to keep them fed and hydrated. It is recommended to utilize bottled water until your pet adjusts to avoid any gastrointestinal upsets. If you have a cat, you will need to put them in the crate before the chaos begins, to make sure you don’t have to search around the neighborhood for them later.
Cleaning Up
You should have some cleaning items available to tidy up after the movers have left, and you will want them when you get to your new apartment as well. A vacuum or mop will be needed for the dust when the furniture is gone. It is always in your best interest to return a property in good condition to the landlord. Having a freshly cleaned home will have a positive impact on the landlord and will likely help to get your deposit returned.
Final Thoughts
If you are organized in advance, it will reduce the stress of moving into a new apartment. Anticipating what may go wrong will also alleviate stress, as you will know in advance what can happen. Moving is going to bring some stress no matter what you do, but if you take on board our advice you could have a relatively stress-free move.
