Finding a new rental space to call home is a wonderful and exciting experience but its only part of the process; the next step is packing all of your belongings for the actual move – and sometimes, the amount of belongings can be overwhelming. Homes.com is here to give you the necessary tips for having a smooth moving process.
Step 1: Make a Plan
Always plan ahead of time to help you be efficient and stress free.
- Create a calendar with your lease details such as the move-in date and other useful information. Keep your actual lease by your calendar to ensure you have all necessary details in one place.
- Create a moving budget. This will help keep costs down while moving and allow you to easily track expenses.
- Decide whether or not you will hire someone to move your belongings or have your friends help you move. Research movers, as some only move things such as boxes and not furniture.
- Mark your calendar for 2 weeks before your actual move to forward and change all mailing addresses.
- Finally, take photos of your old apartment when it’s empty and of your new apartment. Photos are the ideal form of proof for property owners or leasing staff in order to prevent you from getting charged unnecessary cleaning and repair fees.
Step 2: Pack Right
Packing right can help make your move a lot easier.
- Label the sides and tops of boxes with what room they will be going to. Once moved in, you can unpack by room.
- Color-code your boxes with the rooms they will be going to. This is especially helpful if you are using a moving company.
- Vacuum seal out of season clothing. This will help you pack easier and you won’t have the need to fumble through out of season clothing when unpacking.
- Cover the openings of your toiletries with saran wrap and then cover with their original tops. This will help ensure your toiletries don’t spill or get messy.
- Safely pack breakable items. Plates and other fragile kitchen items can be difficult to move in one piece without them breaking. Consider purchasing foam plates to use as dividers between each fragile plate. Once stacked, wrap the plates and add padding for extra security and then stack them horizontally. For other breakables, use clothing to wrap these items. This will help you save on bubble wrap and adds extra padding.
- Pack hardware, wires, and other smaller electronics in sandwich bags to help stay organized and prevent tangling. Tape these bags to the back of the item it corresponds to. This will help you stay organized and make unpacking a breeze. Take a photo of how your electronics are connected so you will have a visual aid when unpacking and setting up.
Step 3: Make Unpacking Easy
Unpacking is a process but doing it right can save you time.
- Bring a change of clothes for the first few days of moving in and pack items that you will need first in a clear plastic bin. These items can include box cutters, paper towels, trash bags, eating utensils, cookware, phone charger, toilet paper, and basic tools for setting up your new apartment space. A clear bin allows you to see what’s inside and is more easily identifiable than cardboard boxes.
- Pre-clean your apartment before opening up the boxes. Although most apartment communities and property owners clean between renters living in the apartments, an extra cleaning doesn’t hurt, and it ensures your home is ready to be moved into.
Moving is a process, but with these tips, your next move will be an enjoyable and exciting experience! For more tips on moving, visit Homes.com’s Idea Gallery.
Hi! I’m Maria, the Marketing Coordinator for Homes.com. I am part of a dream team that is dedicated to running this awesome blog along with Homes.com’s social channels. If I am not busy writing blogs and socially sharing for Homes.com, you can find me painting, drinking tea with my friends, and doing DIY projects!
