Moving Tips and Checklist for a Stress-Free Move

How to Prepare for a Move and Where to Start

Download the Freedom Mortgage Moving Checklist for a helpful hard copy and check out even more detail about each step in the article below.

Selling a home, applying for a mortgage, and finding a new place to live can be a stressful process. Unfortunately, just when you’re done with those, you’ll have another big undertaking. You must move into your new home.

Moving involves many tasks, from packing up belongings to arranging for a rental truck or movers, to changing your address. Fortunately, a simple moving checklist can help you stay on track and help make your move a success.

This guide includes a housing moving checklist and some additional packing and moving tips to make relocating easier than you imagined.

When Do You Start Planning for a Move?

When you're preparing for a move, try to start planning two to three months before the time you'll actually relocate. Once you’ve had your offer accepted, you can begin getting ready.

Planning ahead and creating a checklist for moving ASAP provides time to make arrangements, like hiring movers, that can't be done at the last minute. It also makes the process less stressful. You have time to complete tasks and solve problems instead of trying to handle everything in a short period.

As you make your checklist for moving into a new house, you'll also have time to think of everything that needs to be done, from inventorying household items to anticipating packing needs, to signing up for utilities and transferring bills.

As you begin your moving plan, be sure to keep your checklist and notes all in one place. This centralized file or document should include information about your new address, including utility companies, real estate papers, and an inventory of household items.

Step-by-Step Checklist for Moving

Since there are many different tasks to complete before moving, one of the best first moving tips is to make a list of everything that must be done.

Here are some of the key tasks that should be on your checklist for moving into a new home. The items on the list are arranged so you can do them over periods of time to make the process more manageable.

8-12 Weeks Before You Move

As soon as you've had your offer accepted on a home and have a target moving date, it's time to start work on the earliest relocation tasks. Many of them need to be done well in advance, since they take time or require you to find support.

Here are the things to put on your house-moving checklist to complete eight to 12 weeks before relocation:

• Downsize and declutter: Donate, recycle, sell, or properly dispose of anything you don’t want to take with you. Decluttering allows you to pack and move fewer items, which saves you time and money.
• Sort and label: Sorting belongings and labeling boxes should be on your moving tasks checklist, as it will make it much easier to find important items quickly when you move into your new space.
• Organize records: Transfer school records, contact your insurance agent to update your address, and check that your auto, medical, and other documents are up to date.
• Start looking for new service and medical providers: Research doctors, dentists, veterinarians, banks, landscapers, and more at your new location.
• Start your own moving manual: To keep all pertinent information in one place, start a binder that contains an inventory of your household items, moving estimates, or other important receipts.
• Arrange for childcare: Supervising children during the move can be difficult. Talk with friends, family, or a babysitter to make sure someone can watch your children on moving day.

4-6 Weeks Before You Move

When you are heading toward the final stages of your home purchase and the closing date gets closer, it's time to tackle some additional tasks on your moving into a new home checklist.

At this point, it's time to lay the groundwork for your new life in your new home. Here are some of the tasks that belong on your moving checklist at this stage so you can be ready.

• Order supplies and start packing: Order boxes and other supplies, such as tape, bubble wrap, and markers. Consider special containers for dishes or clothing. Pack items you won’t need first, ensuring that items are clearly labeled.
• Contact utility and home service companies: When you move, you must sign up for things like electric, sewer, and water in your new home. You'll probably also want the Internet. Find out who your new providers will be and reach out to get connected.
• Obtain change of address forms: You can change your address at your local post office or online at USPS.com. Submitting a change of address form ensures that if anything is sent to your old house, from packages to letters, it will be forwarded to you.
• Schedule routine medical appointments: Doctor, dentist, optometrist, or veterinarian visits may be difficult to schedule if you move to a new place and must find and register with new providers. Try to get appointments out of the way before you move.
• Take measurements and map things out: Plan where larger items, like furniture, will fit in your new home—doorways included!
• Make packing and unpacking plans: Determine which boxes will be most important to handle quickly so you can access your essentials and unpack items in an order that makes sense.
• Arrange for pet care: Make sure your pets are taken care of during the move and when you are unpacking.
• Use up your food: To avoid packing perishable food, try to use it beforehand.

1-2 Weeks Before You Move

At this point, you have your closing date set and must finalize the last remaining details of your move. Be sure to add these last-minute tasks to your house-moving checklist so you are prepared to jump into action on moving day:

• Confirm details with the moving company: Make sure you have the company's contact information and the company has yours.
• Organize key documents: Carry original passports, birth certificates, deeds, financial statements, and other critical documents with you directly. It's also a good idea to make copies of them, as well.
• Refill prescriptions: Make sure you have an adequate supply of your medications, are established at a local pharmacy if needed, and have forwarded any appropriate medical records to avoid problems or delays.
• Gather keys, alarm codes, and garage door openers for your current home: Keep all of these in one place for your real estate agent to hand over to the new owners.
• Confirm closing and move-in dates: Reach out to your real estate agent and mover to confirm final dates for closing and moving into your home.
• Clean out safety deposit boxes: Be sure to separate and carry any valuables (such as jewelry) with you.
• Get a car tune-up: If you're moving to a new location with a different climate, ask your mechanic what additional services you may need. Having your vehicle tuned can also make it easier to move yourself and your belongings long distances.
• Arrange for payments and tips for movers: Find out what types of payments are accepted by your movers, as well as the total cost, and have the funds ready. Also, have cash on hand for tips.

Moving Day

Finally, the day has come. You've closed on your home, and it is officially yours. Now, it's time to complete the last few checks on your moving house checklist so you can get settled at your new place. Here are the final tasks to do.

• Make a moving-day survival kit: This should include items you'll need upon arrival at your new home and for a few days after, until you have time to unpack. Examples include:
  • Bottled water
  • Dishes or paper goods
  • Toiletries
  • Trash bags
  • Pet food
  • Toys for younger children
  • Clothing for a few days
• If you have movers, check and sign your moving inventory list: This helps ensure all your items are accounted for. You should also read the Bill of Lading carefully before you sign it.
• Complete a walkthrough with your real estate agent: Make sure everything looks as expected in your new home. Also, ask for all appliance manuals, warranties, and instruction booklets.
• Create clear pathways for moving items in: You and your movers must be able to get into your home easily so remove any obstacles upon arrival.
• Make a copy of your house key: When you get a new key, make copies for others in your family and an extra to spare in case one gets lost during or after the move.
• Prioritize which boxes to unpack: You probably can't do everything in a day. Unpack the essentials first, like toiletries and clothing.

Packing Tips for Moving to a New Home

Packing is one of the most challenging parts of moving.

You should pack efficiently to minimize the number of boxes and effectively to avoid breakage. You should also make sure your most important items are accessible and that you know what is in each box, so you can prioritize which ones to unpack first.

Here are some packing tips to make the process easier:

• Color-code boxes: Use different colors of tape or marker. Color coding is an easy way to visualize what is in each box without having to read labels. Boxes with the same color can immediately go together into the correct rooms.
• Label boxes with numbers: If you want to know exactly what is in each box, assign each one a number. Then, keep a list on your phone of what items are in each box. This helps you avoid losing items and makes it faster to find specific items you need during the unpacking process.
• Keep clothes on hangers: This saves time both when packing and unpacking. Pull clothes off the rack, rubber band the hangers together, and put a garbage bag over the clothing to move it quickly and efficiently.
• Wrap fragile items: You don't want to break anything, so wrap your fragile items to protect them. You can use bubble wrap or newspaper. Sometimes friends or loved ones will give you old newspapers for free.
• Avoid leaving empty space in boxes: Leaving empty space means more boxes to move. Items can also shift and are more likely to break. Pack each box as full as possible to avoid this and consider filling in gaps with things like towels or blankets to both avoid wasted space and cushion your items.
• Have a bag of essentials: Water, medication, pet food, and other items you expect to need immediately should be in a separate bag or box so you can access them easily.

Moving Into a New Home FAQs

Still need to know more about preparing for a house move? Here are some additional answers to frequently asked questions about moving into a new home.

How Do You Hire Movers?

To hire movers, compare quotes from multiple moving companies, and be sure you understand the total price. Decide which services you want, such as pack-and-move or move-only, and ask each company to quote the same service to compare apples to apples.

When you've found a company you like, carefully read reviews to make sure your chosen movers are responsible and easy to work with. Be sure to ask exactly what services they provide, and if they are insured, before hiring.

You can also ask for referrals from friends or loved ones to find a mover they have had a good experience with.

How Much Does It Cost to Move Homes?

Moving costs vary based on distance, the complexity of your move, and the number of items. You should get detailed estimates from several movers who have conducted an on-site evaluation to understand what is involved in the process. Packing on your own can also be much cheaper than hiring movers to pack for you.

What’s the First Thing You Do When Moving into a New House?

When moving into a new home, make sure the home is safe and secure. This means changing the locks and alarm code and learning how the security system works.

It's also helpful to check the home's major systems, such as the heat or AC, water shutoff, and electrical breaker box. Knowing where these items are and confirming they are working will ensure your home is as comfortable as possible and will minimize damage risks.

What Should You Not Do When Moving?

When moving, avoid forgetting about essential tasks. You don't want to forget to change your address or forget to confirm the movers are coming. You should also avoid mistakes that will increase confusion, such as not labeling or color-coding boxes.

What’s the First Thing to Bring into a New Home?

Essential items needed for your comfort are the first things to bring into a new home. Always start by bringing the keys, as well as medicine, cleaning supplies, toiletries, electronics chargers, box cutters, a change of clothing, and other tools you need for unpacking This way, you'll be ready for the first hours and days as you move through, slowly unpacking all your belongings.

Final Thoughts: Are You Ready for Move-In Day?

While moving is a hassle, it's also very exciting because it means you are starting your new life in your new place. This moving checklist will help you get your items delivered and will help you set yourself up so you're ready to truly enjoy your new home.

Of course, you need to find and buy the right home first. If you are ready to buy your first property or to relocate somewhere that best suits your needs, reach out to talk with a mortgage loan officer about your options.

Your mortgage professional can help you get to closing, so moving day will arrive sooner rather than later.