4 Keys to a Smooth Move

So you have found the perfect home, it's no secret that moving is not fun. Between finding a new place, packing, utilities, and everything else, there are a seemingly endless number of things to do before you can actually settle into your new abode. In an effort to ease the burden, realtor.com highlighted four areas that often cause major headaches on moving day and how you can avoid them!

Buy Quality Boxes

When it comes time to start packing, many people think that any old box will do; however, this can often result in making a difficult job even harder than it has to be. Although it stings to increase the cost of the move by buying boxes, there are a number of reasons why spending the cash will pay off. First, free (aka used) boxes will have a much greater chance of breaking open during moving, slowing you down and potentially resulting in damage to your stuff. Second, new boxes will all be the same size and shape, making them much easier to stack inside a moving truck. It might seem like a small thing, but getting everything to fit in the truck is often one of the hardest parts of the move. Finally, be sure to purchase boxes with features such as handles and clear labeling areas.

Mark Your Boxes

Ok, you went out and bought plenty of nice boxes. Good job! Now, make sure that you get the most out of them by doing one simple thing: labeling them! It might seem like a waste of time, but labeling boxes will make unloading and unpacking much easier once you arrive at your new home. In addition, mark each box with an arrow to show which side is up and clearly label any box with fragile contents. If you want to get really organized, you could even use different colors to mark boxes for each room!

Have Everything Packed Ahead of Time

You've made it to the big day. The movers (or your friends and family) are ready to get to work loading the truck. Everything is all packed and ready to go, right? Many people make the mistake of waiting until the last second to pack up personal items like bedding and toiletries, only to realize that everyone is waiting on them to finish. While everyone might not care if they get to check their Facebook or TikTok on their phones for 15 minutes, professional movers are being paid (by you) for every moment they have to work. Never start loading anything until you've packed everything!

Think About the Timing

Most of the time, people schedule their moves to occur on the weekends for convenience and extra time. While there's nothing wrong with this line of thought, be prepared to pay extra! That's right, moving companies will often charge 20-30% more for weekend moves due to increased demand. Other busy times for moving include the beginning and end of the month, the spring, and the summer.

Read more moving advice at realtor.com.