HREG Moving Guide: 7 Steps to a Painless Move
Whatever your reasons are for relocating to a new area, the process can feel overwhelming.
Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, you’ll be changing more than your address. Besides a new house, you may also be searching for new jobs, schools, doctors, restaurants, stores, service providers and more.
Of course, you’ll need to pack, make moving arrangements, and possibly sell your old home. With so much to do, you may be wondering: Where do I start?
In this moving guide, we outline seven steps to help you get prepared, get organized, and get settled in your new community. Our hope is to alleviate the hassle of relocating—so you can focus on the exciting adventure ahead!
1. Gather Information
If you’re unfamiliar with your new area, start by doing some research. Look for data on average housing prices, demographics, school rankings, and crime statistics. Search for maps that illustrate local geography, landmarks, public transportation routes, and major interstates. If you’re moving across the country, research climate and seasonal weather patterns.
Check out local newspapers and blogs for information on political issues and developments that could impact your new community. You may also want to search for Facebook Community Groups in your new area. These can be a great place to find information, ask questions, get recommendations, meet people, and just observe local attitudes and outlooks.
If you’re relocating for a job, find out if your new employer offers any relocation assistance. Many large corporations have a designated human resources professional to assist employees with relocation efforts, while others may contract this service out to a third-party. Some employers will also cover all or a portion of your relocation and moving costs.
By gathering this information upfront, you’ll be better prepared to make informed decisions down the road.
Let us know if you’d like assistance with your information gathering process. We have a wealth of knowledge about this area, and we keep a number of reports and statistics on file in our office. We would be happy to share information and answer any questions you may have.
2. Identify Your Ideal Neighborhoods
Once you’ve sufficiently researched your new area, you can start to identify your ideal neighborhoods.
The first step is to prioritize your “needs” and “wants.” Consider factors such as budget; commute time; quality of schools; crime rate; walkability; access to public transportation; proximity to restaurants, shopping, and place of worship; and neighborhood vibe. Check out our Community pages for a wealth of information on different counties, towns, neighborhoods, and even popular subdivisions that have much of this information in one convenient place to help you narrow your search.
If possible, visit the area in person to get a feel for the community. If you’re comfortable, strike up conversations with local residents and ask about their experiences living in the area.
Still not sure which neighborhood is the best fit for you and your family? Contact us and we will make some suggestions based on your desires and lifestyle. It’s usually the most efficient and effective way to narrow down your options. Or, if you’re moving out-of-town, we can refer you to a local agent who can help.
3. Find Your New Home (and Sell Your Old One)
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of preferred neighborhoods, it’s time to start looking for a home. If you haven’t already contacted a real estate agent, now is the time. We can search for current property listings that meet your needs, at no cost to you.
Create another list of “needs” and “wants,” but this time for your new home. Include your basic requirements for square footage, bedrooms, and bathrooms, but also think about what other factors are important to you and your family. An updated kitchen? A large backyard? Double sinks in the master bathroom?
Narrow your list down to your top 10 and prioritize them in order of importance. This will give you a good starting point to begin your home search. Unless you have an unlimited budget, don’t expect to find a home with everything on your list. But having a prioritized list can help you (and your agent) understand which home features are the most important, and which ones you may be willing to sacrifice.
If you already own a home, you’ll also need to start the process of selling it or renting it out. We can help you evaluate your options based on current market conditions. We can also give you an idea of how much equity you have in your current home so you know how much you can afford to spend on your new one.
As your agent, we can also advise you on how to time your sale and purchase. While some buyers are able to qualify for and cover the costs of two concurrent mortgages, many are not. There are a number of options available, and as a skilled agent, we can help you determine the best course given your circumstances.
We would love to assist you if you have plans to buy or sell a home in our area. Please contact us to schedule a free strategy session so we can discuss your unique needs and devise a custom plan to make your move as painless as possible. If you’re relocating outside of our area, we can help you find a trusted agent in your new city.
4. Prepare for Your Departure
While everyone considers packing a fundamental part of moving, we often overlook the emotional preparation that needs to take place. If you have children, this can be especially important. Communicate the move in an age-appropriate way, and if possible take them on a tour of your new home and neighborhood. This can alleviate some of the mystery and apprehension around the move.
Allow yourself plenty of time to pack up your belongings. Before you start, gather supplies, including boxes, tape, tissue paper, and bubble wrap. Begin with non-essentials—such as off-season clothes or holiday decorations—and sort items into four categories: take, trash, sell and donate/give away. Here ate Hillman Real Estate Group we work with a lot of charities like the Green Chair Project and Note in the Pocket that would be grateful to have your donations and those donations go directly to helping our local community.
To make the unpacking process easier, be sure to label the top and sides of boxes with helpful information, including contents, room, and any special instructions. Keep a master inventory list so you can refer back to it if something goes missing.
If you will be using a moving company, start researching and pricing your options. To ensure an accurate estimate of your final cost, it’s best to have them conduct an in-person walkthrough. Make sure you’re working with a reputable company, and avoid paying a large deposit before your belongings are delivered.
If you plan to drive to your new home, map out the route. And, if necessary, make arrangements for overnight accommodations along the way. If driving is not a good option, you may need to have your vehicles transported and make travel arrangements for you, your family and your pets.
Lastly, if you will be leaving friends or family behind, schedule final get-togethers before your departure. The last days before moving can be incredibly hectic, so make sure you block off some time in advance for proper goodbyes.
Looking for a reputable moving company? We have many vendors we have worked with, some which offer our clients exclusive discounts, as well as recommendations on where to procure packing supplies at the best price.
5. Prepare for Your Arrival
To make your transition go smoothly, prepare for your arrival well before moving day. Depending on how long your belongings will take to arrive, you may need to arrange for temporary hotel accommodations. If you plan to move in directly, pack an “essentials box” with everything you’ll need for the first couple of nights in your new home, such as toiletries, toilet paper, towels, linens, pajamas, cell phone chargers, snacks, pet food and a change of clothes. This will keep you from searching through boxes after an exhausting day of moving.
Arrange in advance for your utilities to be turned on, especially essentials like water, electricity, and gas. (And while you’re at it, schedule a shut-off date for your current utilities.) Ask us for a list of the local utility companies and their contact information. Update your address on all accounts and subscriptions and arrange to have your mail forwarded through the postal service. If you have children, register them for their new school or daycare and arrange for the transfer of any necessary records.
You may want to have the house professionally cleaned before moving in. And if you plan to remodel, paint or install new flooring, it’s easier to have it done before you bring in all of your belongings. However, it’s not always feasible without someone you trust locally who can supervise. We have vendors we know and trust that we would be happy to arrange for you. Another option is to keep a portion of your things in storage while you complete some of these projects.
If there are no window treatments, you may need to install some (or at least put up temporary privacy film), especially in bedrooms and bathrooms. And if appliances are missing, consider purchasing them ahead of time and arranging for delivery and installation shortly after you arrive. Just be sure to check measurements and installation instructions carefully so you aren’t stuck with an appliance that doesn’t fit or that requires costly modifications to your new home.
If you own a car, check the requirements for a driver’s license and vehicle registration in your new area and contact your insurance company to update your policy. If you will rely on public transportation, research options and schedules.
If you’re relocating to our area, we can help! We offer “VIP Relocation Assistance” to all of our buyer clients. Contact us for a list of preferred hotels, utility providers, housekeepers, contractors and more!
6. Get Settled In Your New Home
While staring at an endless pile of boxes can feel daunting, you should take advantage of this opportunity to make a fresh start. By creating a plan ahead of time, you can ensure your new house is thoughtfully laid out and well-organized.
If you followed our suggestion to pack an “essentials box” (see Step 5), you should have easy access to everything you’ll need to get you through the first couple of nights in your new home. This will allow you some breathing room to unpack your remaining items in a deliberate manner, instead of rushing through the process.
If you have young children, consider unpacking their rooms first. Seeing their familiar items can help them establish a sense of comfort and normalcy during a confusing time. Then move on to any items you use on a daily basis.
Pets can also get overwhelmed by new, unfamiliar space. Let them adjust to a single room first, which should include their favorite toys, treats, food and water bowl, and a litter box for cats. Once they seem comfortable, you can gradually introduce them to other rooms in the home.
As you unpack, make a list of items that need to be purchased so you’re not making multiple trips to the store. Also, start a list of needed repairs and installations. If you have a home warranty, find out what’s covered and the process for filing a service order.
Although you may be eager to get everything unpacked, it’s important to take occasional breaks. Have some fun, relax and explore your new hometown! Want some ideas for fun things to do in your town? Check out our Communities page for some ideas.
Need help with unpacking, organizing or decorating your new home? Contact us for a list of recommended professionals in our area. And when you’re ready to start exploring local “hot spots,” we’d love to fill you in on our favorite restaurants, stores, parks, and other attractions!
7. Get Involved In Your New Community
People who have recently moved tend to be isolated socially, more stressed, and less likely to participate in exercise and hobbies. However, there are ways to combat these negative effects.
First, get out and explore. Studies show recent movers were shown to spend less time on physical activities and more time on their computers, which has been proven to lead to feelings of depression and loneliness. Instead, get out of your house and investigate your new area. And if you travel on foot, you’ll gain the advantages of fresh air and exercise.
Combat feelings of isolation by making an effort to meet people in your new community. Find a local interest group, take a class, join a place of worship or volunteer for a cause. Great resources for these groups are Meetup.com and local Facebook Groups. Don’t wait for friends to come knocking on your door. Instead, go out and find them.
Finally, be a good neighbor. Make an effort to introduce yourself to your new neighbors, invite them over for coffee or dinner, and offer assistance when they need it. Once you’ve developed friendships and a support system within your new neighborhood, it will truly start to feel like home.
Want more ideas on how to get involved in your community? Download a free copy of our report, “10 Tips to Turn Your Neighborhood Into a Hometown Haven.”
LET’S GET MOVING
While moving is never easy, these seven steps offer an action plan to get you started on your new adventure. To avoid getting overwhelmed, focus on one step at a time. And don’t hesitate to ask for help! With a little preparation—and the right team of professionals to assist you—it is possible to have a positive relocation experience. Love checklists? Download our Seamless Move Checklist!
We specialize in assisting home buyers and sellers with a painless and stress-free relocation. Along with our referral network of movers, handymen, housekeepers, decorators, contractors, and other service providers, we can help take the hassle and headache out of your upcoming move. Give us a call at 919-877-6708 or email us at Renee@HREGSells.com to begin your move!
