Buying a House Timeline

After a dozen years in the relocation business, I’ve noticed a pattern – buying a home is a dance of paperwork, anticipation, and sometimes, sheer patience. Initially, you might assume you’ll be sipping coffee in your new living room in just a few weeks. Yet, for about 83% of Americans, buying a home remains a significant priority, even amidst economic fluctuations and a seller-friendly market. A large chunk, approximately 11%, even plans to make this big purchase within the year. However, while optimism is high, the reality often plays out differently. For instance, in a year as fiery as 2021, only around 6 million homes saw new owners, despite higher expectations.

When buying a house, the timeline often hinges on elements like mortgage approval and the transfer of ownership. Typically, securing a mortgage can take between 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the lender and the buyer’s financial credentials. Meanwhile, the transfer of ownership, which includes the home inspection, negotiations, and the actual closing, can span anywhere from 6 to 10 weeks. Therefore, from the moment you decide to buy a house to when you can actually move in, you might be looking at a period ranging from 2 to 3 months, although this can be shorter or longer based on individual circumstances.

The journey of buying is not merely about choosing a lovely home; it involves intricate steps, from securing a mortgage to understanding the real estate market’s pulse. In 2023, many potential buyers faced the heat of soaring mortgage rates, but 2024 hints at a more buyer-friendly atmosphere. Some advice from yours truly: always approach the process with flexibility, and maybe a dash of humor – because sometimes, the housing market can be funnier than a stand-up comedy show!

Renting a home timeline

For those opting to rent, the process is generally faster. Once you’ve found a suitable rental, the application approval process can take up to a week, considering background checks and previous rental history verifications. After approval, if the property is already vacant, you can usually move in immediately post lease-signing, making the entire process span anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if the property is still occupied, you might have to wait for the current tenant to move out, which can add additional days or weeks to your timeline.

Get a moving quote early

Before diving headfirst into the moving chaos, always get a quote. Getting a moving estimate early means that you will be able to move is as soon as the house is available and not waste time.

Mortgage Approval Duration

This phase can stretch from 2-4 weeks. Being prepared with all the necessary paperwork can speed things up. And hey, while you’re waiting, maybe take up a new hobby? Juggling, perhaps?

Transfer of Ownership Duration

On average, this transfer dance can take between 6 to 10 weeks. And let me tell you, from personal experience, it can feel longer than binge-watching a 10-season TV show.

Possible Delays in Buying Process

From missing paperwork to unexpected mortgage hiccups, delays are part of the game. It’s like waiting for your bread to toast – unpredictable and sometimes, a tad frustrating.

Closing Date Changes

Stay in touch with your realtor. Dates can shift faster than fashion trends. Remember the neon phase? Yep, that fast.

Renting a House or Apartment Timeline

Renting is the fast food of housing – quicker, with fewer commitments. Typically, within a few days post lease-signing, you’re all set. But remember, always read the menu (lease) carefully!

Rental Application Approval

This usually wraps up within a week. It’s like waiting for your online order – you know it’s coming, but oh, the anticipation!

Exit of Current Renter

Here, patience is key. It can take a few days, or even longer if the current tenant is a fan of dramatic goodbyes.

Terminating Current Lease

Always review your lease terms. A friend of mine once forgot and, let’s just say, she had an unintentional extended stay.

Occupancy Status of Rental Property

Empty rentals fast-track the moving process. But if occupied, you may have to tap your feet a little longer.

Paperwork Delays

Misplaced or pending paperwork can stall the process. Always have a backup, and maybe use the waiting time to master that juggling I mentioned earlier.

Date Mix-ups

We’re all human, and mix-ups happen. Once, I mistakenly showed up a week early to my new place. Talk about an awkward surprise!

Weather-Related Delays

Nature can be unpredictable. Whether it’s rain or shine, always have a Plan B. During a blizzard, I once had a moving truck stuck in snow. The upside? An impromptu snowball fight!

Legal aspects

Understanding your rights and responsibilities as a homeowner or tenant is vital when moving. You might have to sell your current home or break your lease. Review your lease or purchase agreement for any important clauses. Porch suggests you consult with an attorney if you have any doubts about your legal obligations.

Availability of Movers

Peak seasons can mean busy movers. To avoid waiting, get a free moving quote and book in advance. Trust me, last-minute bookings can cost more than just money.

Moving into a house is a journey with its highs and lows. But with preparation and a sprinkle of humor, it becomes an adventure worth every moment.

The post How long does it take to move into a house? appeared first on The Moving Blog.

Be Present: Ensure you’re there during the move or assign a reliable person to be available.

The importance of being present during a move cannot be overstated. Think of it like a major surgery – you wouldn’t leave the operation room, would you? Okay, maybe not the best comparison, but stay with me. Research shows that in the past year, only 8.4% of Americans moved. Given these lower numbers, movers might not be as practiced as they used to be. Being present ensures that you can provide clarity on what’s precious and what’s not. For instance, that old coffee mug? Not a big deal. But the coffee mug your kid made in 3rd grade? Priceless. Remember, movers aren’t mind readers. Yet.

Give a Home Tour: Point out challenging items and areas of importance during the move.

Movers aren’t psychic, much as we might wish otherwise. When they first arrive, take them on a brief tour. Point out the antique furniture, the tricky stairwell, and oh, that closet you swore you’d clean out but never did. You know, the one that’s become a black hole of forgotten items. By guiding them, you’ll avoid any “Oops, we didn’t know that was valuable!” moments.

Provide Parking Instructions: Determine and communicate where the movers can park.

Remember the time I assumed movers knew not to park on the neighbor’s freshly seeded lawn? Yeah, that didn’t end well. A clear, designated spot close to the entrance will make the process faster and keep everyone on friendly terms.

Clear the Path: Ensure the movers’ route from the house to the moving van is free of obstructions.

Obstacles on moving day are like the plot twists in a telenovela: dramatic and unnecessary. Keep pathways clear to speed up the process and reduce the risk of accidents. Trust me, you don’t want to see a mover doing the limbo with your flat-screen TV.

Keep Kids and Pets Occupied: Ensure they are out of the way to avoid interference or potential mishaps.

Kids and pets add joy to our lives, but on moving day, they can be as chaotic as a squirrel in a nut store. Whether it’s setting up a playdate or using that new movie as a distraction, keeping them occupied will help things run smoothly. And perhaps save Mr. Whiskers from a surprise adventure in a moving box.

Offer Refreshments: Provide drinks and possibly meals for the movers.

Once, in the scorching heat of July, I offered my movers some cold lemonade. I swear it was as if I’d handed them a pot of gold. A little hydration and nourishment can go a long way in keeping energy levels up and showing appreciation.

Be Available for Assistance: Be on hand to answer questions or resolve issues that may arise.

While it’s tempting to take a backseat and let the pros handle things, staying accessible can make a world of difference. Whether it’s a question about furniture placement or a quick run to the store for more tape, your availability will keep things moving smoothly.

Prepare a Personal Moving Checklist

One of the best ways to stay organized during a move is to create a personal moving checklist. This will help you keep track of everything you need to do before, during, and after the move. Here are some things you might include:

• Contact the moving company to confirm details and ask any questions you might have
• Forward your mail to your new address
• Update your address with relevant organizations, such as your bank, credit card company, and the DMV
• Transfer utilities, cable, and internet services to your new home
• Cancel or transfer memberships and subscriptions
• Arrange for pet care if necessary
• Disconnect and clean appliances
• Pack an essentials box with things you’ll need immediately upon arrival at your new home
• Sort through your belongings and decide what to keep, donate, or discard
• Prepare your old home for the move-out process

By creating a checklist, you can stay on top of all the tasks you need to complete and ensure a smooth and stress-free move. You can even divide the tasks into different categories and assign deadlines to each one to make the process even more manageable.

Take care of essential tasks

During the moving process, it’s crucial to take care of essential tasks to ensure a smooth transition to your new home. Below are some essential tasks you should consider completing before and after the move:

• Forward your mail to your new address
• Transfer your utilities to your new home
• Update your address with your bank, credit cards, and other relevant organizations
• Cancel any local subscriptions or memberships
• Notify your doctor, dentist, and other healthcare providers of your new address

Completing these essential tasks early on will help you avoid any last-minute stress and ensure that you’re fully prepared for your move. Make sure to create a checklist and cross off each task as you complete them.

Sort and Declutter While Movers Do Their Magic

One of the best things you can do while movers are packing and loading your belongings is to declutter and sort through your possessions. Not only will this make the moving process easier, but it will also help you start fresh in your new home.

Start by going through each room of your house and deciding which items you want to keep, donate, or discard. This can be a time-consuming process, so it’s important to give yourself plenty of time to complete it.

As you go through your belongings, ask yourself whether you’ve used the item in the last year and whether it holds any sentimental value. If it doesn’t meet either of these criteria, it may be time to let it go.

Once you’ve sorted through your belongings, you can begin the process of decluttering. This might involve selling or donating items you no longer need, or simply throwing them away.

Remember to keep a designated box or area for items that you’ll need to dispose of properly, such as electronics or hazardous materials.

Sorting and decluttering can be a daunting task, but it’s worth the effort in the long run. Not only will it make the moving process smoother, but it will also help you start your new life in a more organized and clutter-free space.

Pack an Essentials Box

While the movers are busy packing, it’s an excellent time to prepare an essentials box. This box should contain all the items you need immediately upon arrival at your new home. You don’t want to be digging through boxes to find your toothbrush or a change of clothes! Here are some items to consider when packing your essentials box:

• Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and other personal hygiene items.
• A change of clothes: pack a few outfits for each family member in case you don’t have time to unpack right away.
• Snacks: it’s a good idea to have some easy-to-grab snacks on hand, especially if you have kids.
• Important documents: keep copies of your lease, birth certificates, passports, and any other essential paperwork in a safe, easily accessible place.
• Tools: you might need to assemble furniture or hang pictures, so it’s a good idea to have a small toolkit on hand.

Label the box clearly and make sure it’s easily identifiable among your other moving boxes. You can also add a note with a brief description of what’s inside. That way, you won’t waste any time searching for the things you need most.

Explore your new neighborhood

One of the most exciting things about moving to a new place is exploring the neighborhood. As soon as the movers are busy, take some time to step outside and get a feel for your new surroundings.

Depending on the time you have, you could take a leisurely walk or drive around the area, making note of nearby parks, grocery stores, restaurants, and other amenities. If you have children or pets, be sure to identify playgrounds and dog parks in the area.

Take a look at the houses and architecture in your new neighborhood, too – this will help you get a sense of the community’s personality and charm.

While you’re out and about, don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to your new neighbors. They can provide valuable insights into the area and may have recommendations for local businesses or services that you might need. Who knows, you might make a lifelong friend or two.

Remember, moving to a new neighborhood is an exciting adventure, so take advantage of this opportunity to get to know your new community.

Coordinate with the movers

One of the most crucial aspects of moving is coordinating with the movers. Throughout the moving process, especially when the movers are busy packing and loading your belongings, make sure to stay in touch with the moving company to ensure everything is going according to plan. If you have any concerns or questions, do not hesitate to ask. It is better to address any issues as soon as possible to avoid any potential delays or complications.

Additionally, make sure to provide clear instructions to the movers regarding the placement of boxes and furniture in your new home. By coordinating with the movers, you can ensure a smooth and efficient move that meets your expectations.

Remember: communication is key when it comes to coordinating with the movers.

Get to know your new neighbors

One of the best parts of moving to a new neighborhood is getting to know your new neighbors. Take advantage of this time to introduce yourself and make connections with those around you. Your new neighbors can provide valuable information about the community and may have useful recommendations for local businesses and services.

When I moved into my new home, I made it a priority to meet my neighbors. I introduced myself to those living next door and across the street, and even organized a small gathering to get to know everyone better. It was a great way to break the ice and start building relationships that continue to this day.

Remember, moving can be a stressful time, but a friendly interaction with a neighbor can make all the difference. So, take the time to say hello and get to know the people around you.

Clean and Prepare Your Old Home

Now that the movers are finished, it’s time to clean and organize your old home. This will help you leave on good terms and ensure a smooth transition for the new occupants.

Start with a deep clean of each room, including all surfaces, floors, and appliances. Be sure to leave no trace of your personal belongings. If there are any damages or issues with the property, document them and inform your landlord or real estate agent.

Next, go through every room and ensure that everything is accounted for. Check closets, drawers and cabinets for any forgotten items. If you find something that belongs to the new occupants, place it in a designated area for them to collect.

Finally, turn off all utilities, return keys, and lock up the property. Consider leaving a welcome note for the new occupants, wishing them well in their new home.

With these steps complete, you can now move on to settling into your new home with a clear mind and a fresh start.

Unpack and Settle In

Now that I’ve arrived at my new home, it’s time to start the unpacking process. I begin by taking a deep breath and reminding myself that it doesn’t all need to be done in one day.

First, I make a plan for which rooms I want to unpack first. I prioritize the essentials such as the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom.

As I go through each box, I take the time to decide where each item should go. I try to keep similar items together and label each drawer or cupboard so that I can easily find what I need later.

Setting up my living spaces, such as my couch, TV, and artwork, is also important to me. They make my new house feel like home.

I take breaks when I need to and remind myself that it’s okay if everything isn’t perfect right away. Unpacking and settling in takes time, and I want to enjoy the process.

Once everything is unpacked, I take some time to explore my new neighborhood. I take a walk around the block to familiarize myself with the area and find the nearest grocery store.

Overall, unpacking and settling in takes patience and organization, but it’s worth it to make my new house feel like a home.

Pack in Advance: Prepare items for the movers to make the process more efficient.

Last-minute packing is as stressful as trying to find a needle in a haystack. By packing ahead, you not only make it easier on yourself but also help the movers do their job more efficiently.

Moving doesn’t have to be a Herculean task. With a bit of preparation, a sprinkle of humor, and the right moves (pun intended), you’ll be settled in your new place in no time!

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Most Common Utilities

Let’s start with the big three: Electricity, Water, and Gas. Electricity is a significant chunk of our utility costs, averaging around $1,475 annually. Water and Sewer, oh boy, from hydrating ourselves to those therapeutic long showers after a tiring day, this utility is literally the essence of life. And Gas, primarily used for heating and cooking, is what stands between us and the unforgiving cold on winter nights, especially in states that feel like a real-life rendition of “Frozen.”

Monthly Utility Costs Breakdown by State

Alright, fellow Americans, this is where the rubber meets the road. Utility costs vary widely across our vast country. For instance, in a one-bedroom apartment in sunny California, you might spend around $150 on electricity, $25 on water, and $75 on gas. Compare that to a three-bedroom home in Texas, where it’s more like $220 on electricity, $40 on water, and $80 on gas. Oh, and if you’re in New York with a two-bedroom apartment, brace yourself for about $180 on electricity, $30 on water, and a whopping $100 on gas.

States With the Most Expensive and Least Expensive Utilities

Hawaii, California, and New York, I’m looking at you! While you offer some fantastic landmarks and experiences, your utility bills can be a doozy!

Shoutout to states like Montana, Wyoming, and Oklahoma! You guys know how to keep it budget-friendly. My friend Mark in Oklahoma once bragged about how he could pay his monthly utilities and still have enough left for a fancy dinner. Lucky guy!

Water and Sewer Costs

On average, water will set you back about $17.04 to $68.14 per month, depending on your usage and state. Sewer bills range from $14.04 to $135.57 per month【31†source】. Remember, conserve water – not just for the environment but for your wallet too!

Electricity Costs

With an average bill ranging from $65.33 to $88.10, electricity often takes the lion’s share of utility costs. Energy-efficient appliances and LED bulbs can be real game changers here.

Heating and Cooling Costs

Depending on your state and the season, these costs can be between $21.56 and $26.13. Consider investing in a programmable thermostat. It’s a decision you won’t regret!

Fuel Costs and Utility Impact

Fluctuating oil prices can significantly impact fuel costs. It’s always a good idea to stay informed and adjust your budget accordingly.

Gas Costs

The average gas bill hovers around $80/month. Oh, and a little birdie told me that cooking at home not only saves money but also warms up the place. Who knew?

Internet and Cable Costs

Ah, the lifelines of modern entertainment! The average internet bill is about $56.60/month, while cable can be anywhere from $0 to $100, depending on your chosen package.

Trash and Recycling Costs

Keeping our homes clean costs about $12 to $20/month. Fun fact: Recycling not only helps the planet but can also save you a few bucks in some areas!

Ways to Save on Monthly Bills

In the modern age, where every penny counts, finding ways to trim monthly bills is both a skill and a necessity. Start by embracing energy-efficient habits, like unplugging devices when not in use, opting for LED lights, and ensuring your home is adequately insulated. Consider bundling services, such as cable and internet, to avail discounts or switching to more cost-effective service providers. Setting thermostats at a moderate temperature, fixing leaky faucets promptly, and being conscious of water usage can also lead to significant savings. Moreover, a regular review of your subscriptions can help you identify and eliminate those you no longer use. Remember, small changes can lead to big savings over time!

Understanding your utility costs is the first step to efficient budgeting. Here’s to making informed choices and enjoying the comforts of home without breaking the bank!

From solar panels to smart home devices, the world of utilities is always evolving. Stay updated, and be open to change.

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Factors Affecting Moving Costs in Chicago

In Chicago, several factors can sway the pendulum of your moving costs. For local moves, the size of your living space is crucial. A studio or a one-bedroom apartment, for instance, typically ranges from $280 to $900. The larger your home, the deeper you might have to dig into those pockets. A three-bedroom house? Expect anywhere from $1,300 to $3,300. Now, special items or services can hike these prices. Remember when I assisted a family in relocating their cherished grand piano? An extra $500 on their bill! On average, based on size and distance, you might spend around $1,000 to $2,500 for a local move. It’s always wise to have some wiggle room in your budget for those unexpected hiccups – like that time I realized I had a collection of 300 snow globes to pack!

When planning a move, it’s easy to think hiring pros will be costly. But in reality, having an experienced team by your side can be a boon. While budgeting for a move can be tricky, understanding the average costs can simplify things. So, as you prep for your journey, remember to factor in various costs to avoid surprises!

Moving Distance

The distance of your move plays a significant role. Local moves are generally charged hourly, while long-distance ones have rates based on miles and weight. A pro-tip from my experience: always check if there are any minimum hour requirements. Once, my cousin Benny moved just three blocks away and was surprised by a 2-hour minimum charge!

Moving Dates

The date can be a game-changer. Summer months and weekends are peak times, which means 💲💲. If you can, choose a weekday or off-peak season. Remember, winter in Chicago can be brutal, but it can also be a bargain for moving!

Packing Services & Supplies

Need packing help? Many companies offer these services, starting from about $25 per hour. But remember, those little costs can add up. A friend once forgot to account for packing supplies and ended up dishing out an extra $200. Ouch!

Size of Home/Volume of Belongings

The size of your home directly impacts costs. For instance, a small apartment might range from $280 to $900, while a three-bedroom house might set you back $1,300 to $3,300. So, decluttering can be both liberating and economical.

Type of Home/Accessibility

Accessibility matters! High-rise buildings without elevators might incur extra fees. And if you’re moving to a vintage Chicago brownstone with narrow stairwells, be prepared for some additional charges.

Furniture Assembly/Disassembly

Some furniture pieces are like puzzles, and if you’re not a fan of solving them, movers can help. This might add to your costs, but think of the time (and potential arguments) you’ll save!

Special Items

Got a grand piano or a pool table? Special items usually have special prices. Once, while helping a client relocate, their exquisite chandelier added a surprising $300 to their bill.

Storage

If your new place isn’t ready yet, you might need storage. Many companies offer solutions, often starting at about $60 per month. It’s a great option, especially if you’re still house-hunting in neighborhoods like Lincoln Park or Wicker Park.

Conclusion:
With the right information, moving in Chicago can be smooth sailing (or should I say, smooth ‘moving’?).

The post What are the moving costs for local moves in Chicago and the suburbs appeared first on The Moving Blog.

Moving Industry Standards

The moving industry predominantly quotes moves based on weight. For instance, a standard three-bedroom home on average costs around $2,100 to move. However, depending on the size and specifics, costs can range anywhere from $200 to a whopping $17,000! My buddy Steve, a minimalist, recently moved just a few blocks away and paid only $250. Meanwhile, my aunt Clara, a collector of… everything, shelled out nearly $16,000 relocating cross-country. It’s all about decluttering and prioritizing. Depending on the moving company, you may get a cost estimate by the hour (for local moves) or by distance (for long distance moves).

Department of Transportation (DOT) Verification

Here’s a fun fact: Weight-based estimates are the good guy of the moving world since they’re verifiable by the DOT. This ensures you’re not being overcharged based on whimsical weight guesses.

Method of Weighing Goods

The process is simple: trucks are weighed before and after loading. The weight difference? Voilà, that’s your move’s weight! I remember a move where the truck’s before and after weights were suspiciously identical. Turned out, a cat had snuck aboard pre-weighing!

Shady Mover Tactics

Beware of shady movers who might forge weight tickets or use other tricks. Always go for reputable companies. I once heard of a mover who loaded a truck with water barrels to artificially hike up the weight!

Understanding Cubic Footage

Apart from weight, there’s cubic footage – the space your belongings occupy. It’s calculated by length x width x height. Though it sounds math-y, it’s quite straightforward.

Risks with Cubic Footage Estimates

While cubic footage is a legitimate method, it’s not verifiable by the DOT. This can be a playground for scammy movers. Remember, if an estimate sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Importance of In-person Estimates

Always opt for in-person estimates. This ensures accuracy as the movers can physically see and gauge the quantity of items. My friend Lisa got a quote over the phone and ended up paying double because of her “few” extra items.

Moving Truck and Container Capacities

Ensure you’re aware of your truck or container’s weight and cubic foot limits. This avoids overloading and potential extra costs. Having moved three times last year, I can’t stress this enough!

Art of Estimation

Movers generally use standard spreadsheets to guesstimate the weight or volume of your move. It’s more of an art than an exact science.

Significance of Accurate Inventory Lists

An accurate inventory ensures that the actual weight matches the estimate. It’s the backbone of a stress-free move. From personal experience, a thorough list can save hours of disputes.

Handling Inaccurate Inventory Lists

If discrepancies arise, don’t panic! Movers typically offer two options: rewriting the quote or switching to a non-binding estimate. I once had a client forget to mention an entire shed’s worth of items. Talk about a moving day surprise!

Conclusion: Moving doesn’t have to drain your pockets. With awareness and a bit of planning, you can make your 2024 move smooth and cost-effective!

The post What are the moving costs per pound in 2024 (and how to lower them effectively)? appeared first on The Moving Blog.

Long-Distance Moving Costs

When we talk about long-distance moves, the distance naturally plays a pivotal role. In contrast, local moves are usually charged by the hour. The farther you move, the higher the costs. For instance, relocating a quaint studio apartment might be easy on the wallet, but moving an expansive four-bedroom house? That’s a different ball game. Costs soar with the size of your load. A one-bedroom apartment move a few hundred miles might set you back $1,500, while crossing the country could stretch that to a whopping $4,500. For a 2-3 bedroom house, expect anywhere from $2,700 for shorter hauls to north of $7,000 for those extensive cross-country escapades. Big families with more belongings? A long-distance shift could reach or exceed $5,300.

Accuracy of Moving Quotes

Moving quotes are a bit like weather predictions; they give you an idea but aren’t always spot-on. While it’s generally a ballpark figure, always budget for a little extra. Remember, a personal touch is crucial. From experience, it’s always wise to have a face-to-face chat with your moving company to iron out specifics.

Cross-Country Moves

Going coast-to-coast or border-to-border? While the scenery might change dramatically, so does the cost. The sheer distance, combined with the weight of your belongings, means you’ll be looking at a steeper bill.

Determining Factors of Moving Costs

Beyond distance, other factors play their part. Need custom boxes for your treasured vinyl collection? Expect a bump in cost. Moving in the summer? That’s peak season, so higher charges are standard. Oh, and if you’re like me and once opted to move during the busy start of the month, you’d know it’s pricier than mid-month moves.

Cost-saving Measures

Here’s a fun fact: flexibility can save you a bundle! Moving mid-week or even mid-month can drastically cut costs. And if you’ve got a collection of stuff you barely use (come on, we all do), consider downsizing.

Home Size

From a cozy one-bedroom to a spacious mansion, the size of your home dictates the price. The more you have, the more you’ll pay. Remember my last move? I downsized and felt both my stress and costs drop!

Accessibility

If your new home is atop a hill or up several flights of stairs, it’s not just your heart rate that’ll go up. Costs tend to climb too. Always ensure movers are aware of any accessibility challenges.

Additional Factors

Ah, the devil’s in the details. Parking fees, special packaging, and even moving special items can all add up. I once had a grand piano that cost a pretty penny to move. But remember, it’s not just about weight; it’s about value too.

Moving might feel like a mammoth task, but with a sprinkle of planning and a dash of savvy, it’s a journey you can embark on without emptying your pockets. Happy moving!

The post What are the Moving Costs per mile and how to REALLY lower them in 2024? appeared first on The Moving Blog.

Local movers charge by the hour, while long distance movers may charge by weight (pound) or by distance (miles).

Base hourly rates: The foundational cost per hour before any additional fees.

The average hourly rate for local moves ranges from $25 to $100, depending on the number of movers required​. Always request multiple quotes and remember that sometimes, you get what you pay for!

Number of movers: How the number of movers affects the hourly rate.

For a studio or a small one-bedroom apartment, you typically need 2 workers, costing an average of $455 to $1,370​. When I moved my studio apartment, hiring two movers significantly sped up the process. The more hands, the lighter the work! But ensure you’re not hiring more hands than necessary.

Truck size and type: If different truck sizes/types have different hourly costs.

A 26-foot truck can hold around 4 bedrooms’ worth of items. For larger homes, a 52-foot semi truck might be needed​. Once, I helped a friend with a move, and they rented a truck too large. It was like putting a goldfish in an ocean! Tip: Always assess your belongings before deciding on the truck size.

Packing services: Whether packing is included or costs extra per hour.

Packing services are generally an additional cost. If you’re on a budget, consider packing non-fragile items yourself and leaving delicate items to the professionals.

Travel time: If there’s a fee for the time it takes movers to get to your home.

Local moves within a city won’t consume much time, but remember, long-distance moves can add up in costs due to the extended travel time. Once, I moved during rush hour, and oh boy, it was like a slow-motion movie scene. Plan your move timing wisely!

Minimum hours: Many companies have a minimum number of hours you’ll be billed for.

Some companies have a 2 or 3-hour minimum. Ensure you’re aware of this, so there aren’t any surprises on the bill.

Additional services: Costs like assembling furniture or handling fragile items.

Services like crating fragile items, moving bulky items, or navigating inaccessible areas can increase the cost​. During one move, I had a grand piano – the movers’ expressions were priceless! Always inform them in advance about unique items.

Special equipment use: Such as dollies or special containers.

Special equipment, like moving pods, can cost around $3,000 on average​. They offer flexibility, allowing you to pack at your convenience.

Seasonal rates: If costs per hour fluctuate based on the moving season.

Rates can vary depending on the season, with summer being the peak moving season. I once moved during the winter, and the rates were a tad lower. Just ensure you’re prepared for the weather!

Weekday vs. weekend: Differences in hourly rates depending on the day.

Weekends can be pricier due to high demand. If possible, opt for a weekday move. Besides, who wants to spend their weekend moving?

Insurance costs: If there’s an additional hourly fee to insure the move.

It’s essential to consider insurance, especially for long-distance or valuable moves. It might add to the hourly rate, but peace of mind is priceless.

Local vs. long-distance: How the nature of the move affects hourly pricing.

Local moves are typically cheaper, averaging around $1,187, while long-distance moves can range from $2,500 to $11,600​. Remember, the further you go, the more you’ll pay.

Moving might give your wallet a mini workout, but with the right strategies and a sprinkle of humor, you’ll be laughing all the way to your new home!

The post What are the Moving Costs per Hour and how to REALLY lower them in 2024? appeared first on The Moving Blog.

Think about this: almost every single step during the relocation process is directly linked to all the household items you wish to move between the two homes – from inventorying and sorting out your stuff to finding the best mover near you and packing up your things for moving.

And imagine for a moment that you didn’t have anything to move to the new place – nothing but a few essential items that can fit comfortably in your own car.  Is such a relocation scenario just a classic case of wishful thinking that could never be pulled off in reality?

Selling everything you own and moving away is possible but it’s not the best choice for everyone. There are many reasons why most people will hold on to their prized possessions and will be willing to go through the necessary steps to see their things delivered safely to the new address.

And yet, moving away without any household items can be a great option for you, especially when you understand the clear benefits of selling everything and moving away with nothing but a few absolute essentials.

Here are the top reasons why selling everything you own and moving away can work out great in your particular case:

1. Earn money from the sale of your things

It’s quite possible that the idea of selling everything you own and moving away seems pretty shocking at first. Why would you ever want to do it? It doesn’t make any sense at all to let go of all the things you’ve acquired over years and years.

And yet, the more you think about it, you may start to see the logic behind the seemingly absurd idea. Above all else, you will earn money by selling your stuff and will be able to buy new stuff after you arrive in the new home.

Unfortunately, you’ll rarely be able to sell your possessions at a profit simply because all of them will be used. Nevertheless, it should still be OK to get enough money for each one, especially when it comes to your furniture pieces.

Remember that moving furniture across the country can often cost more than the actual worth of the pieces, so your large and heavy furniture units should be the first ones to go.

It’s time to organize a big moving sale where you can try to sell almost everything you own. Posting some of your things online is also a good option, especially when you have ample time until Moving day.

10 Tips for a profitable Moving Sale

2. Save time by not looking for packing supplies

Not having to worry about packing materials at all is a huge bonus.

Your brave decision not to take any items with you to the new home means that the arduous task of packing for a move will not only be postponed until further notice but will also be canceled altogether.

Another major advantage of selling everything and moving across the country is that you won’t need to worry about where to buy the necessary packing materials for the packing job. Taking into account that the average number of moving boxes needed to pack up an entire home is 60, then the fact that you won’t have to prepare any cardboard containers for the upcoming move must feel largely satisfying.

Make sure you use all that freed-up time wisely. For example, meet up you’re your best friends before moving away, spend quality time with the people you do care about, and even consider organizing a farewell party for your buddies.

But beware: it’s usually a mistake to attempt to sell anything to your best friends. If any of them wants to have something you have, then it’s best to give it away to them as a token of your friendship.

Where to Find Free Packing Materials

3. Save time and energy by not packing up your stuff

Oftentimes, packing is the most dreaded job when moving house because it is the most time-consuming task on anyone’s packing checklist. Under ideal conditions, packing is an entire process that starts right after the house move is confirmed and ends the day before Moving day itself.

Packing for a move is also the most energy-draining thing you’ll have to do when getting ready to move out because of the many days spent inventorying, sorting out, wrapping up, and boxing up all the things you own.

And that’s exactly why it can be extremely beneficial to sell everything in the house and move away with just a few must-take possessions. In reality, not having to deal with packing and all the little tasks associated with packing should feel like a huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders.

Not having to pack up your things will also mean that you won’t need to ask your friends for packing assistance too. Be mindful that it’s never easy to ask your friends for a big favor such as helping you pack and move your belongings.

Once again, not having any items to protect for the upcoming move will free up a lot of time for you. Have you already said goodbye to your favorite places in the town or city you’re about to leave?

4. Save money by not hiring professional packers and movers

Moving away with a few items is as close to a perfect move as it can get.

Hiring the services of a professional moving company has a couple of major advantages:

• the pros know how to pack efficiently, meaning that not only will they box up your things quickly but they will also do so in the safest way possible so that your items cannot get damaged during the move itself;
• the professionals that will arrive at your home to protect your possessions will bring all the necessary packing supplies so that you won’t have to worry about where to get quality packing materials such as cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, and packing paper.

Needless to say, professional packing and moving services are not offered for free. For example, how much does it cost to hire packers? The national average cost to hire packers for a local move is roughly $60 per hour per packer. And when you’re moving across the country, the add-on service of packing will be included in your flat-rate price given to you by the interstate moving company.

Once you manage to sell everything you have before moving away, you won’t need to hire packers and movers simply because you’ve got nothing to pack and move. As a result, you’ll be saving a bunch of money you would otherwise have to use to pay for professional packing and moving services.

Here is how Much are Moving Costs?

5. Experience less stress by not having to worry about your stuff

It won’t be easy to sell everything you have and move away with only a few possessions that you can’t part with no matter what. In addition to the time and effort you’ll have to invest to sell all those items, letting them go may be harder than you think due to having become too attached to most of them.

But once you make up your mind to just sell everything and move out with almost nothing, you should experience a sense of liberation and any stress you must have felt should disappear soon enough.

Don’t forget that one of the most stressful things when moving house is the constant worry that your belongings may not reach the new place in one piece. Finding some of your things damaged after the move is over is always a possibility, especially when they have traveled thousands of miles across the country, have been protected inadequately, or have been entrusted to bad movers.

The great news for you is that your relocation experience should be as stress-free as possible simply because you won’t have anything to move between the two homes and therefore you won’t need to worry whether your items will reach the new place the way they left the old one – that is, perfectly intact.

10 Ways to Reduce Stress During a Move

6. No boxes to unpack after the move

That’s it – those are all the boxes you’ve got to unpack. Lucky you!

If you manage to sell all your things (or give away some of them), you won’t have any boxes to transport to the destination place apart from possibly a few essentials boxes. What this means is that when you arrive in the new home, you just won’t have any boxes to unpack. It sounds too good to be true, right?

Unlike packing for a move, the task of unpacking can be stretched out in time because there isn’t a deadline looming. Nevertheless, the unpacking job is also known to take quite a lot of time and effort because it’s never only about unboxing your stuff, is it? You’ll have to arrange your things properly, get rid of all the packing materials, and then clean the whole place after you’re done unpacking.

Not having to unpack for days on end after selling everything and moving away will give you the unique opportunity to tackle other important post-relocation tasks without delay – finding a new job, getting a new family physician, enrolling your children at another school, registering your car and transferring your driver’s license, and so on.

Of course, not moving any stuff with you will also mean that you’re going to have to find time to buy new things for the new house or apartment. Luckily, furnishing the new place the way you like it is a step-by-step process that can be completed at your own comfortable pace.

How to Unpack After Moving

7. Fresh start in the new place

The decision to sell everything you own and move is often the result of your desire to get a fresh start in another far-away place.

It’s possible that all the material items that surround you at the moment evoke bad memories and that’s exactly what you may be trying to get rid of. A bad relationship breakup, for example, can lead to your strong wish to change everything around you.

In some cases, selling everything before moving away will be a great opportunity to attempt to run from the past and have a fresh start in another place. By not hauling any possessions with you, you will be able to buy brand-new furniture after the move and decorate the new home in an entirely different way. A new beginning often requires you to be brave enough to let go of your old stuff, and what better way to do it than to sell everything and start over in a new place?

5 Tips for Moving Out After a Long Relationship

It’s important to note that selling everything and moving away is not a good option for everyone. If you decide to do it, you must be absolutely sure that you’re doing the right thing in order to avoid bitter regrets after the move.

If you happen to be too attached to your possessions the way most people are, then you shouldn’t be looking for the best way to sell everything and move away – instead, you should be looking for the best movers near you.

How to Find the Best Movers Near You

The post Why Selling Everything and Moving Away Can Be Perfect for You appeared first on The Moving Blog.

It can be really frustrating that regardless of how much time you have until moving day – a few months, a few weeks, or a few days (!), you’re still going to have to answer a number of essential questions in order to complete the trouble-free move you want.

One of these fundamental questions is, of course, strictly related to the approximate costs of moving house: what are the average moving costs?

No matter if you’re moving out of a 1-, 2-, or 3-bedroom home, you still need to know how much you’re expected to pay on average when hiring professional moving services or organizing a move by yourself (self-moving).

It’s important to note that the move distance between the two homes – short distance (local) or long distance (cross country) will affect greatly how deeply you’ll be forced to dig into your pockets, desperately looking for more dollar bills.

So, what are the average moving costs?

Why do average moving costs matter?

The truth is that you may not get the right answers to all the pressing issues at the beginning of your preparation, but you must know the price of your incoming move in advance so that:

• you set up your moving budget the way you’re supposed to;
• you prevent any unpleasant cost-related surprises at the end of the relocation;
• you reduce the moving stress by knowing that you’re financially ready to handle the local or cross-country move ahead of you.

Thus said, remember that the only way to get an accurate estimate of the cost of your move is to have your chosen moving company perform an expert visual inspection of your home and give you a precise price quote.

Nevertheless, understanding various real-life moving scenarios and their approximate costs will help you gain a deeper knowledge of what relocation options you actually have and what to expect from your mover’s estimate.

The approximate costs of moving you’ll find in this article should serve as a useful preview of what your actual moving quote will look like. In reality, these approximated values can only be used as guidance because the real-life moving company rates will be dependent on the region where you live, your town or city, the moving company itself, and the specifics of your own local or long-distance move.

Moving company costs on average

In most cases, moving house with the help of a professional moving company is the preferred way to approach the numerous challenges of that significant period in one’s life. As a rule of thumb, turning to the pros for assistance will eliminate plenty of stressful guesswork and will make the entire relocation much faster and easier.

The only drawback is that you will have to pay for their moving services but that often proves to be a disadvantage in disguise the moment you calculate the potential risk and dangers of self-moving, add up the lost time in doing it all by yourself, and include the possible irreparable damage to your nervous system.

What’s the average cost of moving when hiring a moving company?

Average moving costs for local moves

Myth #7: Hiring professional movers is the most expensive way to move house.

Local moves never leave the state of origin and the destination point stays within approximately 50 miles.

And if you do decide to hire local movers to help you out, then the first thing you should know is that local moving companies charge by the hour.

What this means for you is that it’s the time spent on performing the move that matters the most rather than the individual move-related tasks such as packing, loading, transporting, and so on.

And as time defines the price, the factors that affect how much time your local move will last are:

• the size of your house or apartment (the bigger it is, the more items are likely to be inside it);
• the number of additional services to be performed (for example, packing your home by yourself or having it packed by the pros?);
• the number of packers and movers working on your local relocation;
• the exact distance to your new address.

Taking into account that the average moving cost per hour is roughly $80 per mover per hour:

• Studio: $480. Moving out of a studio apartment should take 2 workers about 3 hours to complete the move, which makes approximately $480 without additional fees and charges;
• 1-bed apartment: $640. Moving out of a 1-bedroom apartment should take 2 workers about 4 hours to complete the move, which makes approximately $640 without additional fees and charges;
• 2-bedroom home: $1,440. Getting out of a 2-bedroom home should be all about having 3 local movers working for about 6 hours and complete your move for roughly $1,440 excluding extra charges;
• 3-bedroom home: $2,240. moving away from a 3-bedroom home should take 4 workers about 7 hours to get the job done, which in turn should cost you approximately $2,240 with no extra fees included in the price;
• 4-bedroom home: $2,880. moving out of a 4-bedroom home should take 4 local movers about 9 hours to complete the move, costing you approximately $2,880 without additional fees and charges.

It’s important to keep in mind that unforeseen factors can and probably will influence the approximate costs of moving locally one way or the other. That is, your local move will become cheaper or more expensive depending on the concrete circumstances that surround it.

• Additional services will cost you more;

• Packing services are charged on an hourly basis as well /$80 per hour/ and usually include the price of the packing materials;

• Each additional packer or mover will cost you approximately another $80 per hour;

• Expect to be charged a travel fee as well – the time it takes the moving crew to reach your home;

• Purchasing moving insurance will add up to the approximate cost of moving house but it can be an excellent decision to protect your valuable possessions against accidental damage.

20 Simple and Easy Ways to Reduce Moving Costs

Average moving costs for cross-country moves

Moving across the country is a risky affair that’s best left to the pros. Ask movers for price calculation, and then take advantage of cost-reduction techniques.

Once your move is bound to cross state lines, it’s already classified as an interstate move and the approximate costs of moving across the country will be calculated differently.

In practice, cross-country moves are much harder to be generalized as far as preliminary expenses are concerned because of three major price-forming criteria that work at the same time: 1) move distance, 2) shipment weight, and 3) additional services.

The cost to move furniture, for example, will be calculated based on the weight, size, and nature of your home furniture. Expect to pay more if you need experienced packers and movers to handle bulky, super heavy, or antique furniture pieces.

The cost of moving furniture will also be dependent on the specific conditions in your home such as narrow corridors and staircases, smaller doorways, or unavailability of an elevator. For instance, if some of the furniture pieces have to be disassembled, the furniture moving costs will be respectively higher.

• Move distance. The move distance between the two homes remains a constant value so focus on the next two factors.
• Shipment weight. How much your shipment weighs will play a great role in determining the final relocation bill. Make an effort to reduce that weight by getting rid of any household items you don’t really plan to use in the future.
• Extra services. Choose only the moving services you do need. If you can, pack up some or all of your items by yourself to save big.

The approximate cost of moving cross country, without any extra services and additional charges, is as follows:

• 1-bedroom apartment: $2,780 – $5,800. The cost of moving out of a 1-bedroom apartment to a new home located 1,000 miles away should cost you $2,780 – $5,800.
• 2-bedroom home: $3,020 – $6,825. The average moving costs for a 2-bedroom home are roughly $3,020 – $6,825 for a move distance of 1,000 miles.
• 3-bedroom home: $4,200 – $7,250. The average moving costs for a 3-bedroom home are approximately $4,200 – $7,250 for a move distance of 1,000 miles.
• 4-bedroom home: $4,950 – $8,100. The approximate moving costs for a 4-bedroom house are roughly $4,950 – $8,100 for a move distance of 1,000 miles.

Please keep in mind that the above-mentioned average moving costs per mile and average moving costs per pound can only be used as reference values due to the case-by-case nature of residential moving. As mentioned above, approximate moving company costs can still be useful for forming a general idea of just how strong a hit your budget will take.

For much more accurate price estimation, get free quotes by filling out this Moving Cost Calculator

Average moving costs of self-moves

Some people are quick to conclude that moving on your own is always a cheaper way to move house than hiring a professional moving company.

While that can be true under specific circumstances, one should look at the bigger picture and consider a number of important factors that often end up being taken out of context.

Before you even think about performing a self-move, make sure you answer YES to all of these prerequisites to avoid a disastrous DIY move with loads of wasted time and lost money.

• You’re moving short distance or within the same town or city;
• You have a few good friends you can rely on to come to give you a hand on Moving day;
• You have moved house at least once before;
• You have confidence that you can organize the entire move by yourself.

And if you’ve got 4 positive answers, then it’s time to take a closer look at both the obvious self-moving costs and the hidden costs of moving on your own.

Are you keeping tabs on your self-moving budget?

Average moving truck rental cost

The cost of renting a moving truck can vary greatly depending on the truck rental company, the size of the moving van, the distance to be traveled, the number of days for which you need the vehicle, the time of the year, and more.

On average, a 14’’ moving truck (2-bedroom home) can cost around $20-$30 for 8 hours + $0.70-$1.10 per mile. A 24’’ rental truck (3-4 bedroom home) can cost roughly around $40-$70 per day + $0.70-$1.10 per mile.

Of course, it’s best to contact a reputable truck rental company and request an accurate quote simply because each move is different. Also, besides the truck rental insurance (approximately $150), beware of additional fees and surcharges (additional mileage fees, a cleaning fee, fuel surcharge, tolls, etc.) that could really put a damper on your self-move initiative.

Moving equipment

You will most likely need to rent a few pieces of moving equipment (a moving dolly, furniture blankets, furniture pads, and so on) if you insist on organizing and executing a safe move.

Packing materials

Most of your cardboard boxes you can find for free, or almost for free, from local businesses and friends who have recently moved, but bubble wrap and clean packing paper you do need to purchase, especially if you own too many delicate and easily breakable items.

Don’t forget quality tape and a set of color markers as well.

Hidden DIY moving costs

Finally, it’s time to say a few words about the so-called hidden DIY costs of moving by yourself that could be the turning point in your decision to hire a top-rated mover to take care of your move. Such approximate costs of moving on your own include but are not limited to moving insurance for your expensive items, road taxes, as well as food and lodging expenses while on the road.

Should personal injuries or property damage occur due to move-related inexperience or a concentration of bad luck, then the average moving cost could easily go through the roof.

How to Rent a Moving Truck

Sometimes you can hear people say that money is not everything, and they should have a good reason to believe so. Still, when it comes to the fairly complicated process of moving house, it seems like money will dictate the way your local or cross-country move unfolds.

And now that you are familiar with the approximate moving costs, we believe you will make the informed decision that will change your household move for the better.

What to Do: Hire Movers or Move by Yourself?

The post Average Moving Costs: What’s the Average Cost of Moving? appeared first on The Moving Blog.

Moving out after a breakup is a complicated matter even if the emotional side of the upheaval could somehow be taken out of the equation. Oftentimes, there will be numerous serious issues to be resolved between the two partners – dividing up the shared belongings, deciding on the custody of the children (if applicable), and organizing the house move itself.

Moving out after a long relationship can prove to be the ultimate test for everyone even when the breakup has been accepted by both adults as the logical end of an extended stint together.

These 5 tips for moving out after a long relationship will help alleviate the problematic situation and assist in finding the best way to move out after a breakup or a divorce.

1. Act decisively when the relationship is broken beyond repair

The end of a long relationship means that either you or your partner will have to move out of the place where you’ve lived together until that moment. And if the person who’s about to move out is you, then your top-priority task should be to organize the move as soon as possible.

Act in a timely manner when the relationship is irrevocably over.

Taking into account the specifics of your particular case, you might want to speed up the relocation process after it’s become absolutely clear that the relationship with your partner has ended and there’s no way to fix it. In some cases, delaying the move is a bad idea because it is likely to only create more dramatic scenes – domestic drama that can be easily avoided through an emergency move.

One way to move out after a breakup is to do it discreetly so that your ex doesn’t learn of your intention until after the move is already a fact. A stealth move may be necessary when you just know that the person you’ve broken up with is likely to make a scene while you’re moving out of the place. And if the move is local, then that’s even better – you should be able to move a few boxes at a time so that nobody notices anything.

The other way to move out after a relationship breakup is to do it quickly in a single attempt. That clean-break type of relocation is only possible with the help of professional movers who will pack up and move your belongings in one go. Usually, this is the best relocation option when you’re moving far, far away to another part of the country.

No matter which option to move out you pick, make sure you act quickly and decisively in an attempt to save your sanity.

Moving Checklist: Interactive & Printable

2. Be smart when deciding who gets what

After years and years of living together with your partner, it’s only natural that both of you will have bought many things together. And now that you’ve decided to separate, all those material things (assets) will need to be divided up between the two of you.

The Millennium Falcon is coming with you. End of discussion.

You and your partner are supposed to divide your shared possessions evenly. But the process can be complicated and heartbreaking at the same time. Generally speaking, the best piece of advice in such situations is to never get too greedy – just take the things you really love and care about. After all, it won’t make much sense to haul large and heavy pieces of furniture across the country after a tough breakup.

It’s important to note that some household items will have strong sentimental value for both of you and if the relationship has ended with an excess of hard feelings, then dividing those things can become truly agonizing for everyone. The thing is that whenever strong feelings are involved, then sound judgment is often clouded and the term FAIR can mean two different things for you and your ex.

In the case of a dispute over a particular item, then it’s usually better to let your partner have it instead of escalating the issue any further. Of course, it’s definitely a case-by-case matter so it’s hard to generalize, but remember that you’re trying to get a new start so taking too many objects that will keep reminding you of the past is probably not the best idea anyway.

In case of serious disputes over the shared property, you should consider getting legal advice from a lawyer.

Packing Checklist: Packing Timeline for Moving

3. Ask friends and family for help

Moving out after a long relationship may well be the hardest thing you’ll have to do in years. The emotional turmoil of having broken up with a person with whom you spent a long time together will surely have its heavy toll on your mind and body.

Your best friends will be there to help and support you throughout the move.

And during such a challenging period, you will definitely need the strong support of your best friends and your beloved family members. So, be sure to reach out to the people you trust the most and ask them for help whenever you feel like you need it the most.

First of all, your friends and family members can help you with the move itself – that is, assist you with packing your things quickly and maybe even loading them up into your own car or into a rented moving vehicle. Bear in mind that when you’re moving out after a breakup, one of your major goals is likely to be to leave the place as quickly as possible.

Secondly, the people who are closest to you can provide you with invaluable moral support throughout the move. They will be there for you, listening to what you have to share, discussing the whole situation with you, and hopefully – giving you good advice on what you should do next.

And finally, if you’re organizing an emergency move out of the current place but you haven’t yet found where to move to, you can always ask a family member or a good friend to stay with them for a while until you find a place of your own. Ultimately, your friends and family can be your temporary safety net when you’re moving out after a long relationship.

Checklist for Moving to a New City

4. Get legal advice when you have children and/or pets

If you have a child or children with the person you’ve broken up with, then one of the most important things you have to do is to meet up with a lawyer and seek legal counsel with them about the critical issue of who will have custody of the children after you move out.

The well-being of your children must be your top priority after a breakup or a divorce.

In such highly unpleasant situations, your top priority should always be the well-being of your children. If the kids are old enough, their wishes will also be taken into account so that the final decision works well for everyone involved.

If you’ve just got out of a bad relationship or even an abusive one, then you must speak with a lawyer right away about the legal custody of your children. In most cases, it’s a very bad idea to just take the kids and move to another part of the country without being legally allowed to do that.

So, do your best to refrain from taking any impulsive decisions or from performing any reckless acts that can complicate matters even more. When unsure what you should do when it comes to moving out with your children, you must be absolutely sure that you’re not breaking the law in any way because doing so could get you to lose custody of your own kids.

Discuss the issue with your ex-partner (if that’s still an option) to decide what’s best for your children. Also, if you own pets together, then it’s only logical that the pet animals should stay with whoever can care better for them after the separation and the subsequent house move.

Remember that rash decisions that have been influenced by powerful negative feelings such as hate, anger, or revenge will always lead to even more pain and devastation.

10 Mature Tips for Moving With Children

5. Hire trustworthy movers

A secret move may be exactly what you’re looking for.

During a traumatic experience such as a relationship breakup, one of the best things you can do is to be around people you can trust. Your friends and family should be there for you, assisting you in any way they can. However, their support may not be enough when it comes to the move itself.

If circumstances force you to move out in a hurry, then organizing a successful emergency move can only be possible with the help of professional movers who have been trained specifically to work efficiently. In reality, non-professionals could never work as fast and safely as the pros simply because they don’t have the required experience and know-how.

On the other hand, if you’ve made up your mind to move out discreetly (so that your partner doesn’t know you’re gone until it’s too late), then, once more, you’re going to have to use professional moving services to get the job done the way you want. Bear in mind that a secret move is only possible through perfect coordination and maximum efficiency that only experienced movers can offer.

Your best option when moving out after a breakup? Hire top-rated movers you can trust to be able to move out without any problems or additional drama.

Get free quotes from licensed, reputable, and experienced movers that will help you out during the tough situation you currently find yourself in.

The post 5 Tips for Moving Out After a Long Relationship appeared first on The Moving Blog.

Of course, the lack of house-moving experience should be the one to blame. You just don’t know exactly what you’re supposed to do. When should you even start preparing for the upcoming move? What should you do first of all?

Even when you’re aware of the most important things you have to do prior to moving out (you do know that you’re supposed to pack up your things), you won’t really know how to prioritize the moving tasks so that you can be safe even if you run out of time before Moving day.

Moving out for the first time is no fun… but it happens to all of us at one time or another in life. And it’s just this one time – once you survive your very first house move without any serious injuries or costly property damage, it should be much easier to organize a smoother move the next time around.

And this is exactly why we’ve created this guide to moving out for the first time – to help you pull off a problem-free move now so that you can gain the experience and know-how needed for your next one.

Fear not! Just follow these 5 steps to moving out for the first time and you should be alright.

Step 1. Make a list of all the things you should do before moving out

The major issue when you’re moving out for the first time is that you simply don’t know what you should do to prepare adequately for the upcoming move. You do know what you’re expected to do in general – pack up your things in boxes and hire someone to transport those boxes to the new place – but you’re likely to be confused about where to start. And when. And how.

A personal moving checklist will help you manage your time in the best possible way.

To make things even more complicated, getting ready to move out is much more than just packing – there are also countless other important tasks to take care of such as changing your address, transferring your home utilities, and arguably the toughest job of them all – deciding which items you’ll take with you and which ones you’ll leave behind.

The sheer number of things to do when moving out for the first time can be overwhelming and that’s exactly why you should do all in your power to introduce order and structure to the house moving process. It’s simple – all you have to do is make a to-do list for moving so that you don’t forget to do something really, really important.

Write on a piece of paper or use a word processor on your computer or smartphone all the things you know for sure that you have to do during the preparation period. Don’t worry about arranging those tasks in any particular order, just write them down so that you don’t forget about them later.

Once you’re ready, check this detailed MOVING CHECKLIST and “steal” from it any extra jobs that happen to apply in your case as well. What you’ve just done is called personalization – that is, you’ve made sure all the moving tasks in your to-do list are relevant for you and your move.

The next step is to prioritize your newly-created personal moving checklist. Prioritization means assigning degrees of priority for each task with the purpose of completing the super-important ones first if it turns out that you won’t have enough time to do all of them before you have to move out.

What’s the next step? To start working on your own personalized and prioritized moving checklist.

Step 2. Say goodbye to the possessions you don’t need anymore

Since you don’t have much relocation experience, one rookie mistake you can make while preparing to move out is to decide to take with you all the household items found in the current home, including all the furniture pieces that you own.

Now, you may be wondering why moving all your possessions is considered a mistake – after all, aren’t those things yours? And you can do whatever you want with your belongings, can’t you?

Yes, and yes. But because you lack any house-moving experience, you won’t be able to see right away all the benefits of sorting out and decluttering your things before you begin to pack them into cardboard boxes of various sizes.

Here’s WHY you should pare down the number of your things prior to packing:

• 

  Are you seriously taking all the pairs of sneakers you own?

  Fewer things to move means less total shipment weight, which also means lower transportation costs.

• Fewer items to pack means less time spent packing, which also means lower packing expenses for boxes, packing paper, and bubble wrap.
• Fewer possessions to move to the new place means less time spend unpacking, which also means more storage space available in the new home.

Opting out to move only the things you do like and do intend to use in the foreseeable future is one of the best decisions you’ll make when moving out for the first time. Just keep asking yourself over and over again, Do I really need this?, until you’re only left with useful items that you will continue to use and enjoy long after the move.

Go through your items carefully and decide what you’re going to do with each one depending on their current condition, usefulness, and value. Be ready for some tough decisions because the sentimental value will also play a big role in choosing what to take and what not to take to the new home. As a first-time mover, you may find it really challenging to let go of some of your possessions.

Moving experts are unanimous that if you haven’t used an item in more than a year, then you don’t really need that said item and therefore you should seriously consider not moving it to the new home.

How to Get Rid of Stuff When Moving

Step 3. Pack whatever things you can by yourself

Even without any experience in moving from one home to another, you must realize that the most important task before you is to pack up your things for a move.

You wish to take some of your belongings with you to the new place but that destination place is usually far away, often hundreds or thousands of miles from where you are now. What that means, in reality, is that the great distance between the two homes necessitates proper protection for your things – otherwise, there’s a very high risk that your items will get damaged along the way.

You shouldn’t have any problems packing up your clothes for moving.

So, packing your stuff safely is a must-do task but the real question is whether you should be able to do it by yourself or whether you should hire professional packers to do it for you. The great news is that you can use the in-between option that will help you lower your moving expenses without having to make any compromises over safety.

Luckily, you can still pack some of your belongings securely even when you’ve never had to pack any of your stuff for a move before. Household items such as clothes, bedding, blankets, and other soft goods are not breakable, so you can easily pack them up in large cardboard boxes without fear of damaging them in any way.

Shoes and books are two other types of items that you should be able to pack by yourself without any difficulties. Place wads of clean packing paper inside closed shoes to keep their shape. Also, remember to pack books in small boxes (they become too heavy too quickly) and to NEVER pack them with their spines facing you.

Thus said, you should recognize your limitations when it comes to packing skills and let professionals protect your breakable items – kitchen plates, glasses, electronics, artwork pieces, lamps, and anything else that requires plenty of padding to survive the move. Also, let furniture movers disassemble and protect any large and heavy furniture items that you may have decided to move to the new home.

Follow a packing timeline to give yourself the best possible chance of managing the packing task without any serious issues. However, if you happen to be in a hurry to move out or you doubt your packing skills, it’s always best to request the add-on service of packing from a full-service moving company.

Packing Timeline for Moving

Step 4. See if your friends will be willing to help you move

One of the things you should know when moving out for the first time is that you won’t be able to manage it all without any assistance. Even if you had plenty of experience in moving from one place to another, you would still realize that a house move is a big project that cannot be completed without any help, be it from family members, friends, or professional movers.

This beginner’s guide to moving out strongly recommends that you ask your good friends to give you a hand, especially on the day of the move when there are plenty of heavy items to be taken out of the home and loaded into a moving vehicle. You’re going to need a collective type of manpower to ensure Moving day safety, and the cheapest way to get that muscle power is from your circle of close friends.

Friends in need are friends indeed.

You should still keep in mind that there are certain disadvantages of asking your friends to help you move: you might feel awkward asking them for such a big favor, the risk of damage to your items or the property will be higher compared to using professional moving services, there’s always some danger of personal injuries, and of course – you will be indebted to your pals and will have to return the favor someday.

And yet, there are also a number of indisputable advantages of asking your buddies to give you a hand with the move, so here are 3 important things to keep in mind before you do so:

• Ask your friends for moving help as soon as you can to minimize the level of disruption to their own agendas. The earlier you reach out to them, the greater the chance is of them saying YES.
• Ask your friends to help you pack and move heavy items in person – this is still the best way to ask somebody for a favor. If that’s not an option, then make sure you get to talk with your pals over the phone for a more personal touch.
• Be honest with your friends about exactly what kind of help you will need from them – if it’s about moving heavy furniture, they should know about it beforehand. Also, be ready for their arrival to prevent loss of valuable time.

How to Get Friends to Help You Move

Step 5. Hire professional movers for peace of mind

Without a doubt, the easiest way to move out when you don’t have any house-moving experience is to hire a top-rated moving company to handle the toughest aspects of your house move.

When you’re moving across the country, then this beginner’s guide to moving out of state strongly recommends that you bet on professionals with many years of experience and a high degree of professionalism. Bear in mind that long-distance moves can be very challenging even for people with substantial moving experience, meaning that they will be close to impossible to organize and execute by first-time movers.

Trust professional movers with many years of relocation experience.

To secure the best interstate movers in your area, you only need to follow these 5 steps:

1. Request free moving quotes from legitimate moving companies that are duly registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation;
2. Ask the pros to visit your home in person so that they can provide you with accurate cost estimates;
3. Compare the received estimates in terms of bottom price and number of add-on services;
4. Check the online reputation of the short-listed moving companies to see how trustworthy those movers are in the eyes of their customers;
5. Pick the mover that you think will best fit your budget and meet your relocation needs.

How to Find Top-Rated Movers Near You

The post A Beginner’s Guide to Moving Out: 5 Steps to Pull It Off appeared first on The Moving Blog.

You’re probably aware of what you should do after you find yourself in the new place – all the essential things to do after moving will be waiting for you to start marking them as DONE, one by one.

Of course, you should start unpacking immediately after the move but not before you’ve inspected the new place really carefully. If you haven’t changed your postal address before the move, you should do it then.

Registering your children at a new school, finding suitable health care providers (including a vet for your dog, cat, or bird), and registering your car in the new state are all essential post-move jobs that you have to do sooner than later.

But believe it or not, there are also some uncommon things you should do after moving into a new house – unusual and even a bit surprising tasks that you wouldn’t normally think about after arriving in your new home. Whether you will actually complete those non-typical things will depend on your unique set of move parameters and house moving circumstances, but it’s important that you know about their existence nonetheless.

Here are 5 uncommon things to do after moving into a new house:

1. Bring good luck to the new home

You wouldn’t really mind bringing some good luck into the new home, would you?

Don’t bring your old broom to the new home.

Regardless of whether you feel very lucky about the whole house moving thing or you feel extremely unlucky for having to relocate, it’s always a nice thing to know that you’re starting the new chapter in your life with a certain dose of good luck. If you’ve had a tough house move, then you’ll surely wish to reverse your bad luck – isn’t it high time good things started happening to you for a change?

It doesn’t really matter if you believe in new home superstitions or not, it just takes a few simple steps to bring good luck into your new place. Luckily for you, it’s one of those nothing-to-lose-everything-to-gain types of situations, so you might as well give it a try.

Don’t take your old broom with you to the new house

It’s believed that old brooms will transfer physically not only the dust into a new home, but also all the negativity and bad luck from your previous place.

Now, you may not even have a broom in the first place, but if you do, then the house move is the perfect time to just throw it away and get a brand-new one for the new place.

It’s not a good idea to get rid of your vacuum cleaner… unless it’s time to retire it due to technical issues. Just make sure you clean its dust bag or container well before the move.

Bring bread and salt into the new place

Bread and salt are well-known symbols of wealth, success, and fortune.

So, by bringing some bread (preferably pita bread) into the new home, you’ll be making sure that you and your family members will never go hungry. Similarly, taking salt with you into the new residence will guarantee a post-move life full of flavor.

As an added bonus to the good luck you’ll supposedly get, you’ll have something to eat after an exhausting move day.

10 Valuable Tips for Moving to a New Neighborhood

2. Remove the negative energy from the house

The thing is that your conscious attempt to bring good luck into the new home may not work out well if the place you’ve just moved into has a lot of negative energy lingering inside and around the property.

The ritual of burning sage is believed to clear out any negative energy and protect a home from evil spirits.

In such a case, one special thing you may need to do after moving into a new house is to try to dispel the negative energy that’s floating around the living space like a dark ominous rain cloud.

Note that there will be much more pressing tasks to take care of immediately after the move such as opening up the essentials boxes, setting up the bathroom and bedroom, and maybe even cleaning up the place.

However, whenever you find some free time on the checklist of things to do after moving, you should definitely consider doing some simple things in order to ward off any evil spirits from the new house and summon all the positive energy you can get.

Light a candle

Lighting a candle to chase away the darkness and bring light into a home is an ancient tradition. If the house you just moved to has a fireplace, lighting a fire in there should also have the same effect for the new home.

The flame of a candle or from a fireplace is thought to absorb all negative energy and purify the living space from all evil.

Burn sage

Burning sage is another old ritual that’s meant to clear out the negative energy accumulated over time in a home, protect the place from evil spirits, and bless the new house at the same time.

All you have to do is light a bunch of white sage in a metal or porcelain bowl and let it smoke while you walk around the new house, starting from the front door, going in a clockwise fashion, and not forgetting to smoke out the corners in all rooms.

Sprinkle salt on the floor

This one is easy enough – simply sprinkle some salt over the threshold of the new home. Salt is believed to ward off evil spirits, so find a packet of salt inside a KITCHEN-labeled box and get down to work.

Also, it’s a good idea to sprinkle salt on all window sills throughout the house – to keep evil spirits from entering your home from the windows.

What to Do on the First Day in Your New Home

3. Secure the new house

One of the non-typical things to do after moving into a new house is to secure the house against unauthorized access, harmful acts of Nature, or freak accidents.

The security of your new home is your top priority.

After moving into a new house, you won’t usually think about how safe that new place really is. You simply move in and start unpacking your stuff assuming that the new place is safe. And that questionable assumption could turn out to be a costly mistake later on.

You must make sure that the living space you’re going to occupy from now on is secure and safe enough for you and your family, including your dear pets.

Securing the home you’ve just moved into is done on several levels:

Secure the new home against unauthorized access

• Change the locks of the outside door or doors so that you are the only one who has access to the new place;
• Check all doors and windows of the home to ensure they close securely;
• Consider installing a burglar alarm, especially if the new home is located in a neighborhood with a bad reputation.

Secure the hew home against fire

• Install smoke detectors in each and every room and check their batteries periodically;
• Install a functional fire extinguisher on every floor of the house and be sure to know how to use it in case of an emergency;
• Map out an escape route out of the home in case of fire or other emergency and be sure to share it with all family members.

Baby-proof the new house

• Make sure your new home is perfectly safe for your baby or toddler;
• Baby-proof the nursery room: secure the changing table so that it can’t tip over, mount window guards and cordless blinds on the windows, and place electric outlet protectors on the walls.
• Child-proof the bathroom: use a slip-resistant infant bathtub, set your hot-water heater at 120°F (49°C) or lower, position non-skid mats on the bathroom floor, and install a toilet lock.
• Child-proof the kitchen: keep all chemicals locked in a secure place, place stove knob covers, and avoid using high chairs when feeding your baby;
• Child-proof the stairs: install safety gates at the top and bottom of the staircase to keep your small one away from the stairs.

How to Unpack After Moving: Boost Your Unpacking Efficiency

4. Go say Hi to your neighbors

If you’ve prepared a checklist of things to do after moving, then the task of going and meeting up your neighbors is not likely to be included in the list.

Be brave enough to go and say Hi to your new neighbors.

As things stand, you should NOT expect the folks next door to rush to you and welcome you in their neighborhood with a basket of tasty welcoming gifts. That’s very unlikely to happen and it would all look more like a scene taken straight out of a Hollywood movie.

The chance of your neighbors making the first step will be either zero or slightly higher depending largely on where you have moved to – which state, city, and neighborhood. And here’s the key question: why don’t YOU make the first step and say a quick Hi to the folks next door?

While it’s true that taking the initiative to introduce yourself to the new neighbors is one of the uncommon things to do when moving into a new home, it is just something that you will eventually do. Besides, being the first one to say Hi will win you points for good manners.

You may feel odd about going and saying Hello to your neighbors without a good reason. But the truth is that you do have a very good reason to do it – you’re officially their new neighbor and you would like to introduce yourself so that none of you feels awkward when you do happen to see each other later on, either on the street or inside the same apartment building.

You may not realize this but meeting the people next door soon after the move has a clear advantage – you can seek valuable advice from those people about the city or town you just moved to. Here are a few example questions that you can ask them:

• Which are the best grocery stores in town?
• Which are the best restaurants or pubs in town?
• Where’s the best place in town to walk a dog (if you’re a dog owner)?
• How do garbage pickup and recycling work in the neighborhood?

How to Overcome Relocation Depression After Moving

5. Organize a housewarming party

It’s quite common to organize a moving party before you move away. It makes a lot of sense to host such a farewell party for a number of reasons:

• You’ll see your friends for one last time before you move out;
• You’ll thank your pals for helping you out if they did give you a hand with packing and moving boxes and furniture;
• You’ll promise each other to keep in touch after you’re gone;
• You’ll just have fun with the people you love before the super-stressful move day.

A housewarming party may be exactly what you need to jump-start your new life chapter.

Organizing a housewarming party after the move is one of the uncommon things to do after moving to a new home simply because, unless you’ve moved across town or moved only a short distance away, your best friends won’t be there. Sure, you may still have a few good friends in the destination town or city but most of your best pals will live in the place you had to leave.

Nevertheless, bear in mind that it can prove to be quite beneficial for you to throw a housewarming party shortly after arriving in the new home. Why?

• You’ll be able to gather in your new home any friends or acquaintances you may have in the new city. In most cases, this can be a huge step toward a quick and successful adaptation period.
• You’ll have the chance to invite some of your new work colleagues and spend time with time in a much more informal setting than the workplace. A housewarming party is usually a great first step to bonding with your coworkers.
• You’ll have the opportunity to invite some of your new neighbors to the housewarming party. In fact, it’s the perfect occasion to get to know better the people who live right next to you. Who knows, one of them may become your next best friend.
• You’ll get the chance to relax a little bit from the stress of moving and maybe even get yourself a deserved break from unpacking. A fun party after the move will definitely help you overcome any possible symptoms of relocation depression.
• You’ll get the opportunity to celebrate, in a way, the start of a new life chapter after moving into a new house. Also, a housewarming party is believed to bring good luck to the home and the people who live there.

See also: 10 Essential Things to Do After Moving

The post 5 Uncommon Things to Do After Moving Into a New House appeared first on The Moving Blog.