Moving is a pain. Between packing the boxes, taking care of all the details, saying your good-byes, there’s not much that makes moving fun. But, by getting a head start and tackling the problem head-on, painless moving can be a possibility for your next relocation.
1. Declutter
Still have clothes that fit three sizes ago hanging in your closet? Or, is there a drawer in your house that is so full of junk that it frightens you to even contemplate opening it? Why move stuff you don’t want or need? Go through your house and throw away or donate whatever you can. Not only can this help make your move painless, but it also saves you money. Less to move means less you have to pay the movers, or if you are moving yourself, less boxes to buy. And, less to move also means less of your valuable time wasted.
2. Cancel services
Don’t make the mistake of paying for the electric bill of your old residence after you’ve left. An easy way to make moving painless is to make a checklist of all the services that you need to cancel or transfer. Also, be sure to get confirmation numbers. If someone at the electric company forgets to turn off your account, it’s your word against theirs and guess who would lose that battle.
3. Set up new services
While you are canceling your old services, go ahead and set up all the services at your new residence. Keep in mind that you’ll probably have to be there for some services to be set up – cable, Internet, etc. Schedule these when you’ll actually be moved into your new home and able to take some time off work.
4. Pack
Unless you are lucky enough to hire movers who are going to pack for you, this is a task that you’ll want to get a head start on to ensure a painless moving day. Start packing with the rooms in your house that you use the least – guest room, formal living room, formal dining room, etc. Get a room packed as much as possible before moving to the next room. For rooms that you’ll use right up to the end, go ahead and pack as much as you can. Be sure to label very well. Clearly note if the contents are fragile as well as where the box should go in the new house.
5. Prepare children
If you have young children, it might be difficult for a move to be painless for them. They may not understand why you are boxing up all of their toys. Keep a dialogue going to ease any apprehensions they may have. If possible, show them pictures of the new home. Try to get them excited. Let them pick out the color of their new room. Also, reassure your kids that all of their toys and furniture will meet them in the new house.
6. Lock up pets on moving day
The last thing that you want when you move is to lose a beloved pet in the process. Be sure to lock up any pets so that they can’t get loose while loading the moving truck. If you’ve hired movers, keep the pets in an empty room that is clearly labeled “Do not enter: pets inside.”
7. Pack a bag
Keep an overnight bag with you that holds a few essentials to keep you going for a couple of days. Move out and move in dates don’t necessarily sync up – you’ll be glad you have a couple of days of clothes and even an air mattress if you get stuck in your new house waiting for the movers to bring your furniture.
8. Keep valuables with you
Pack one box with your valuables – jewelry, wills, important papers, passports, birth certificates, sentimental items, coin collections, etc. If something happens to your belongings in transit, you’ll feel better having these with you.
9. Put boxes in appropriate rooms
A trick to keeping your move painless once you arrive at your new home is to put boxes where they go. Don’t just unload as fast as you can, piling boxes into the family room or garage. Instead, take them straight to their final destination. That makes unpacking so much easier.
10. Set up beds first
Also, while you are unloading, set up the beds as soon as you can, complete with sheets, pillows, etc. You’ll be very glad that night when you’re completely exhausted and can crash in a ready-made bed.
11. Keep a close record of damage and follow up
If you have hired professional movers, document any damage to your belongings. This part continues as you unpack your boxes. Most moving companies give you a timeframe in which to file damage reports. Make sure all boxes are unpacked to give you enough time to evaluate any damage and report it.
12. Focus on finishing one room first
One last trick to painless moving is set up one room completely as soon as you can. Make one room box free, pictures on the wall, furniture placed just right. That way, in the weeks ahead of unpacking, you have one room where you can relax with a cup of coffee and just get away from all the cardboard boxes and chaos.
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A Real Estate Agent with Real Solutions...
The Born Solution
prides itself on supporting those looking to buy or sell property. Below you will find helpful resources that will help you on your journey.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Suzette at
(714) 510-4848
for a no obligation consultation.
I am here to support you!
Don't Let Moving Be a Headache-Plan Ahead To Make Your Move Painless
Should It Stay or Can It Go?
Avoiding Moving Scams
Help Your Kids Cope With Moving
Don't let moving be a headache – plan ahead to make your move painless
Should It Stay Or Can It Go?
What You Can Take With You When You Move
Personal property disputes are a common problem in real estate transactions. Some buyers who’ve fallen in love with a home’s decorative accents have moved in to find the chandelier, mirrors and even the doorknobs have been stripped from the house by the previous owners. Conversely, some sellers have discovered that items they assumed they could legally take with them are considered to have been sold with the house. How can you tell what’s yours and what’s not?
Real property
State laws differ on specifically what is and isn’t yours to take, but there are some general rules. “Real property” usually includes any improvements to the land or physical structure that cannot be easily moved. It includes such things as wiring, plumbing, roofing, masonry, staircases and in-ground pools. Basically, if it would require a contractor to remove it, it stays.
Chattels
“Chattels” are pieces of personal property purchased by the homeowner that can be easily moved. Chattels are not considered to be a part of the house. If an item can be unplugged or easily unscrewed from the wall or ceiling, it’s usually considered a chattel. Home appliances, potted plants, hanging mirrors, artwork and security systems are some examples of common chattels.
Fixtures
“Fixtures” are chattels that are physically attached to the house or property. These items are more permanently affixed than chattels but less so than real property. They are generally considered to be a part of the house unless it’s specifically indicated otherwise in the purchase agreement. Doorknobs, chandeliers, garden sheds, shutters and curtain rods are some of the items that qualify as fixtures.
Out of sight, out of mind
When selling your home, a good way to avoid problems down the road is to simply remove or replace any items that could be subject to dispute before you hold an open house. If a potential buyer never sees your antique chandelier, they’ll never miss it. Placing “does not convey” note cards on items is also acceptable, however, there’s a chance you may receive an offer conditional upon them being left behind -- or a request that you lower your price in order to compensate for taking them. Most residential sales contracts contain a checklist where the “staying or going” status of fixtures can be clearly indicated. If yours does not, consider drawing one up yourself.
Removing things like doorknobs or chandeliers after a buyer has viewed or even purchased the house may not necessarily be illegal, but it is unethical. If you remove them before the deal has closed, it could endanger the sale by forcing those buying to wonder: “If they took that, what else did they take?” If you remove fixtures from the house that are included in the purchase agreement after the deal has closed, it may qualify as breach of contract.
Don’t get burned
When a sale agreement is signed, the buyer’s agent should check the house and make a careful list of all its fixtures. Sellers should check this list very carefully to make sure they are in agreement with the buyer as to who owns what. In some cases, buyers have included things on this list that didn’t actually exist in the house to begin with, like a refrigerator with a built-in icemaker or a workshop tool bench. Since the purchase agreement is a legally binding contract, the seller will then be liable to supply these “missing” items.
Chattels and fixtures are often negotiable, depending on individual seller’s wants and needs and can be factored into the selling price of the house at later stages. The bottom line, though, is to always be prepared. A written agreement is the best way to determine who is entitled to what.
What typically stays (unless otherwise specified in writing)
- Wall-to-wall carpeting
- Permanent light fixtures
- Landscaping (patio stones, masonry, in-ground pools)
- Window coverings (shutters, blinds, curtain rods)
- Skylights
- Fireplaces and mantelpieces
- Garden sheds (with concrete foundations)
- In-ground plants and trees
- Mirrors permanently affixed to walls
- Stoves
- Dishwashers
- Built In Microwaves
What typically goes (unless otherwise specified in writing)
- Carpets and area rugs
- Household appliances (refrigerators, microwaves, washer/dryers, etc.)
- Non-permanent light fixtures
- Potted plants
- Curtains
- Hanging mirrors
- Paintings and wall hangings
Avoiding moving scams
Moving can be one of the most stressful times in your life. There are usually a great deal of memories and a considerable amount of money at stake, so the last thing you want to deal with is getting scammed. Here are some tips to follow so you can avoid getting ripped off when you move from one home to the next.
Check references
If you heard of a moving company from your real estate agent, chances are his or her other clients have used the same service and have been pleased. You may also want to ask for references directly from the company so you can see how satisfied other customers have been with the movers. If you are unsure about a certain moving company, it may be a good idea to check into your local chamber of commerce, as well as a community organization that specializes in relocation to see if there have been any complaints or reports of moving company scams. Another good resource is your local police department. An officer should be able tell you about any recent scams or what to look out for when contracting a mover to transport your belongings.
Be cautious
If you have found a moving company that you are interested in contracting for your move, here are a few things to consider: Do they give a local address? Did they give you an estimate for moving over the phone? Does the company require a large deposit? Are there company vehicles or generic rented trucks? All of these things can be red flags! Reputable moving companies should be able to give a local address and phone number, and your estimate should be given once a representative of the company has seen the size and the amount of furniture you have. You should also try to avoid paying movers until the move has been completed and the company should have their own vehicles with company logos, rather than trucks rented from another company. Another good idea is to look into licensure and insurance information, as well as consumer advocacy groups before you contract a company for your move.
Know your rights
If you feel you have been scammed, ripped off or treated unfairly by a moving company it is your right to react appropriately. A good place to start is with your local police department and chamber of commerce. It is also a good idea to report any scams or unsatisfactory activity to the Department of Transportation by calling 1-888-DOT-SAFT. Doing so can help recover your money or your belongings, as well as help protect other consumers from moving scams.
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Help your kids cope with moving
Moving is hard on all family members. Even if you are transplanting to a bigger house in a nicer neighborhood, adjusting is difficult. If the move is a result of divorce or some other familial misfortune, the accompanying loss of a parent or decline in standard of living will increase its impact.
No matter what the reason for a move, coping is especially tough for kids. Small children thrive on predictability and their sense of security is closely tied to familiar faces, places and activities. Older children are apt to feel the social impact of a move most. They miss old friends and worry about making new ones. For pre-teens and teens, fitting in is of the utmost importance and having to re-establish themselves in a new and possibly very different social environment is a scary prospect.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to make the move easier on your kids. Try some of these tried-and-true methods, geared to different age groups:
For all children, but especially pre-schoolers and kids in primary school, follow established home routines faithfully for the first few months after you move. This means having dinner at the same time, serving familiar foods, watching favorite TV shows, going to bed at the same time and observing the same bedtime rituals on a day-to-day basis. You should also try to observe special occasions like birthdays and holidays the same way as always.
For all children, consult with your child about the décor of his or her new room. Let your child pick the paint color, the fabric for curtains and bedspread and choose posters for the walls. Younger children typically resist change of any kind. If this is the case with your child, it may help to replicate the décor and furniture arrangement of his or her old room as closely as possible.
For school-age children, help your child keep up with old friends. Encourage him or her to write and exchange photos; arrange phone calls, visits and sleepovers on a regular basis. Kids who are struggling to make new friends find it very relaxing and comforting to be with old buddies they don’t have to impress.
For school-age children, make it easy for your child to make new friends by opening your home to other kids after school and encouraging your child to invite new acquaintances along on special outings.
For school-age children, reinforce your child’s confidence by enabling him or her to participate in extra-curricular activities. Whether it’s soccer or music lessons, continuing a favorite activity or starting a new one gives your child feelings of competence and self-esteem that don’t depend on how well he or she is fitting into the social order at the new school.
For school-age children, particularly pre-teens and teens, give your child a head start at the new school by doing some advance scouting. Contact the principal, the head of the PTA, the guidance counselor and the new home-room teacher to find out everything you can about the school:
- official and unofficial dress codes
- activities, sports and clubs
- academic strengths and weaknesses
- problems such as drugs, gangs or bullying
For school-age children, stay abreast of how your child is fitting into his or her new environment. Ask your child how he or she is doing and feeling in school and the new social milieu. Stay in touch with school officials and teachers to get objective information.
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Suzette Born
DRE Lic # 01841704
HomePreviews Real Estate Network
Certified Notary Signing Agent
18619 Yorba Linda Blvd.
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Cell (714) 510-4848
Fax (714) 701-1910
Suzette@TheBornSolution.com
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