After the inspections are completed, the mortgage is approved, and the closing date is set, there’s still one giant hurdle you’ve got to cross:

Moving Day.

This is consistently one of the most stressful days in the process – but being prepared is half the battle.  Here’s our simple checklist to make your move a success.

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Two Weeks Before The Move

  • Start accumulating as many boxes as possible – you can never have too many.  Restaurants and liquor stores are great places to find them for free, but you can also buy them in bulk at your local Wal-Mart or home improvement store.
  • Pack the things you don’t use often (photos, winter clothes, knick knacks, etc.) and clearly label the boxes you put things in with both the contents of the box – and also the room where it will go in the new house.  This will save you tons of time down the road.
  • Take everything you don’t plan to move with you and put it in one place.  Having a garage sale or donating your old things is a great way to reduce clutter and make the overall job much easier.

1 Week Before The Move

  • Arrange with the local utility companies to get services changed over to your name.  These companies often require 72 hour notice or more before they can set up a new account, so it’s important to get things turned on.
  • Pack everything but the bare essentials.
  • Schedule your move with friends or a moving company to make sure you have the help you need.

1-5 Days Before The Move

  • Place all your packed boxes in one room, close to where you’ll be loading the truck.
  • Defrost the freezer and empty the ice cube maker.
  • Clean the refrigerator, oven, and cooktop.
  • Gather and clean outdoor furniture.
  • Return leased equipment like your wireless router or cable box.
  • Organize your keys and garage door openers.  Make sure they’re all in one place, and know where they are.
  • Dust the ceiling fans and vacuum the floors.
  • Make sure everything is disassembled and ready to go, including stereo systems and computers.
  • Confirm times and dates with your friends, family, or moving company.

Moving Day

  • Get a really early start!
  • Disassemble the beds before the help arrives.
  • Check to make sure that all the cupboards, closets, dishwasher, and shelves are emptied and clean.
  • When you’re finished moving, flip the main power breaker in your home’s electrical box.