Moving Tips: Reducing the Stress of Relocation

Moving to a new area can be difficult, even if money is no object. Whether relocating for work or pleasure, packing your home and transporting your life to a new locale is stressful. When moving on a tight budget and with limited time, there are a few tips to follow that can reduce the hassle and make the transition much easier.

There is no such thing as too much planning—
While it can seem like overkill, being over organized will only help with any speed bumps that might arise during your relocation. Before you even pack the first box, gathering supplies is essential for a smooth moving process. You should prepare yourself with the following supplies:

• Packing Tape
• Pocket Knife or Razor Blades
• Boxes
• Rope or Twine
• Markers
• Newspaper
• Sheets
• Dollies
• Toolkit
• Blankets and Pillows

While newspapers are an excellent and inexpensive way to keep breakables safe, investing in bubble wrap or foam peanuts may be wise if you have a considerable amount of glassware and a long way to travel.

Think about unpacking while you pack—
While it can be tempting to throw everything in a box and sort it out when you arrive at your new home, you will thank yourself later by planning ahead. Labeling each box after it is packed will help to get your new home in order quickly, giving you time to settle in without worrying about a to-do list.

Labeling each item as follows will help in this process:

• A description of what is in the box (Glassware, Computer Equipment)
• The room the items belong in (Kitchen, Office)
• Fragility of the items inside

This may also be a good time to determine the unpacking order of the items. Assigning a box a numeric code, 1 being the most important items, 10 being the least, will help you to put your home in order much more quickly. 

Mark it off the list—
While making a checklist may seem more time consuming and take away from the packing process, it can save you considerable time in the long run. Making a list of the boxes that have been packed and checking them off when they arrive safely at your new home will help to reduce the chance of losing your possessions along the way. A list will also help when packing, helping you to see what items within your house still remain and need to be packed. If you are putting items in storage, it will be extremely helpful to catalog everything that has been placed within your storage facility, giving you a reference when you are looking for your belonging

Start early to save money—
The moment you know you will be moving, it is integral to make plans for transportation. If you are planning to use a moving company, you may be able to get a better deal by scheduling the move well ahead of time. If you are relying on friends or family to help with the relocation, giving them ample time to prepare is always considerate.

Oversee every detail—
Organizing the moving process alone is nearly impossible. Recruiting help is essential, but be sure that any help is aware of the process that you have chosen for packing and moving. Friends and family should understand how to label and pack your items properly, helping to protect your things and making unpacking easier. It may be best to touch base with each of your helpers to be sure that you are all on the same page while they help you relocate.

Preparation is crucial when relocating to a new area. With organization and proper execution, moving can be painless and you can begin to enjoy your new home.

Guest post by Erik Braunitzer of Douglas Elliman Real Estate Company, agents for Bronx Rentals