Ultimate Checklist For Moving Out Of State

8 Steps To Pack Up Your Home

Before you can throw your house-warming party, the second step on our checklist for moving out of state is to start packing your home. While it might sound overwhelming, there are eight easy steps you can take to be strategic and organized.

 

1. Choose The Order Of Rooms

The first step in packing your home is to choose the order of rooms you will be packing. This will depend on your timeline and how much time you have allotted for the task. It's best to start with rooms you use the least in the home, such as the garage, office, or spare bedrooms, and move your way to more popular areas of the house.

 

2. Purchase Your Packing Supplies

Next, you should purchase all of the packing supplies you will need. You can usually buy materials at places like Walmart, Target, or Home Depot for a reasonable price. If there are certain items that you know will be difficult to pack manually - such as mirrors or dishes - consider investing in specialty boxes and bubble wrap, so everything is protected during the move.

 

3. Designate A Holding Area

Once you have your supplies, it's time to designate a holding area for all of your packed boxes. This can be an unused room in your home or even a garage if you have the space. Having a holding area will help you completely clear out rooms without too much clutter getting in the way.

 

4. Work On One Room At A Time

Now that you've determined the order of rooms and have the supplies you need, you'll need to start the packing process. However, instead of tackling multiple rooms at once, you'll want to work on one room at a time. This will help you stay organized and focus on one room in the home instead of dividing your attention or becoming overwhelmed.

 

5. Divide Each Room Into Sections

Just because you're moving doesn't mean that you have to take every item with you. Packing your home is a great time to get rid of furniture and clothing you don't want or need anymore. Start going through the room and divide your house into four different piles, one for packing, donating, garbage and selling.

Once you complete this process, you can donate your goods to a local charity and throw away any unnecessary items in the trash. For selling unwanted items, you can use Facebook Marketplace, apps like NextDoor, or even host a garage sale.

 

6. Measure Out Your Furniture

Before deciding to keep bulky all of the furniture in your home, it's important to compare the measurements of your new home to the furniture you currently have. If there's not enough space in your new home, it might be a better idea to sell your old furniture and buy new pieces when you move.

 

7. Label Each Box Appropriately

Finally, once you finish packing a box, make sure to immediately label it with the name of the room it belongs in and what is inside. This will help make unpacking a breeze when you finally arrive at your new home.

 

8. Pack Essentials For Move-In Day

The last item on the packing your home checklist for moving out of state is to keep essentials to the side for move-in day. This includes items like toiletries, a change of clothes, and any vital documentation. You can pack these items in a suitcase or storage container, so they're easy to access when you arrive at your new house.

 

 

Tasks To Complete Before Moving Into Your New House

Now that you've completed your packing checklist for moving out of state, it's time to move into your new house. However, there are a few items you'll want to check off your checklist before even making the journey to your new home.

 

Inspect The Home

First, make sure to inspect the home thoroughly for any damage or issues. Some problems might include water seepage in your new basement or cracks in the exterior walls of your home. While you can inspect it yourself, it's best to hire a professional to do a complete home inspection to ensure everything is in order.

 

Replace Immediate Problems

If the home inspection uncovers any significant issues, such as cracks in the wall or malfunctioning appliances, it's essential to replace them immediately. While you might be thousands of miles away, you can still hire the necessary experts to come out to the house and fix your home issues.

 

Renovate Or Paint Areas Of Your Home

If you want to update the paint in your home or change the flooring, you can complete this task before moving any of your furniture in. This will help make the unpacking process a little bit easier, and you won't have to worry about accomplishing any renovations while trying to unpack your belongings. While you don't need to complete every renovation right away, such as replacing door handles or updating your cabinetry, it's still important to prioritize the most necessary updates.

 

Change Your Address

Don't forget to change your address with the post office and all important institutions. You can either do this yourself online through USPS or hire a service to help you with the entire process. This will ensure that you continue to receive mail and package deliveries to your new address without missing anything important along the way.

 

Get Utilities Connected

Don't forget to get your utilities connected as soon as possible. This includes water, gas, electricity, and even cable or satellite TV. After traveling for hours, the last thing you want is to come home to a house that doesn't have any power! You can take care of this by contacting the respective companies ahead of time and giving them your new address.

 

Update The Locks

You'll also want to update the locks on your new home as an extra security measure. While it's likely that you've received all keys, you never know if the previous owner still has copies. To update the locks, you can either hire a locksmith or purchase new locks for each door of your house.

 

Cleaning The House From Top To Bottom

The last item on your checklist for moving out of state is to clean every inch of your home. You'll want to do this before you bring in any new items or start unpacking. Some of the most common places you should consider cleaning includes:

• Replace Air Filters
• Washing Machine
• Stove
• Refrigerator
• Floors
• Walls
• Toilet Seats
• Cabinets
• Ceiling Fans
• Light Fixtures

 

If you don't have time to thoroughly clean your home before moving in, hire a professional cleaning service to do it for you. This will ensure that your home is clean and ready to live in before you even unpack your boxes.