Leaving an old home behind and moving into a new one can be hectic, even without making mistakes. There are always unforeseen circumstances that pop up so you mustn’t add to your woes with self-inflicted errors. Here are some things to avoid to make your move go as smoothly as possible.
Unorganized Packing
When packing, you should make sure that you are thinking about unpacking all of these things in your new home. Labeling all of your boxes by room can be a life-saver. When you move into the new house all you need to do is place the boxes in the appropriate rooms instead of into a massive pile in the living room. This way you can divide up the unpacking into room-sized jobs that are less daunting and will give you a sense of accomplishment as you finish them.
Hiring the Cheapest Mover
Finding the right mover can be a challenge, which is why you should rely on online reviews and word of mouth in evaluating bids. It is tempting to hire the lowest bid but that isn’t always the best option, especially if the proposal is significantly lower. Always make sure the company is insured and licensed or you may be left with broken or damaged items with no way for the fly by night movers to make it right.
Keeping Your Clutter
If you’ve lived in a house for a significant amount of time you will accumulate a lot of junk that you really don’t need. Getting rid of this stuff will help your move go significantly smoother. You’ll have a lot fewer things to pack and will make you feel less overwhelmed during packing. If you have too much clutter it can result in needing a storage unit when moving. It is easy to get rid of stuff you don’t need by donating them to a local charity. Do this well in advance to avoid having tasks pile up on you at the last minute.
Paying Two Mortgage Payments
Closing on a new home is exciting so don’t get carried away and sign a new mortgage before your old home has sold. It is easier to get a new house than it is to sell your old one, so make sure you have a buyer first. Using an agent who is handling both ends of the transaction can help but not always possible. Don’t let your emotions get the better of you making you think your home will sell more quickly than it most likely will. Be conservative here and plan for an extended closing while hoping for a quicker sale.
Buying a House That is Too Big
Getting into a larger home is a dream for many people but avoid buying too big. Large homes cost more money to buy and they cost more to cool and heat. Unless you need the extra space getting into a more energy-efficient and relatively smaller home may make more sense to your budget. While it is tempting to envision your entire extended family over for the holidays because you have a massive new home it isn’t worth the extra cost for the rest of the year.