Moving into a new home requires careful planning for success, and it’s not just about packing and unpacking. The list of things to do can feel almost endless, but millions of people move every year – Canadians move an average of five or six times in their lifetime, while Americans move 11.7 times on average. If they can do it, you can too.
Whether you’ve purchased one of the Banff homes for sale and are looking forward to enjoying the breathtaking beauty of the Canadian Rockies or you’re moving to take advantage of a career opportunity in Atlanta, these tips can help reduce the stress so that you can get settled in as quickly and painlessly as possible.
Move As Few Items as Possible
Your goal should be to move as little as possible. Now is the time to simplify, purging everything you don’t really need. Go through everything room by room and put items into save, donate, toss, or sell piles, decluttering like you never have before.
Pack an ‘Open First’ Box
There are certain items you’ll probably need as soon as you get to your new home, which makes it essential to pack an “open first” box that contains the basic necessities to get through the first few days or until everything is accessible. You don’t want to have to dig through dozens of boxes to find a towel so you can take a shower, or enjoy a cup of coffee, for example. Seal your open first box (or boxes) last. Since they contain your most important items, you might need to use some during the moving process too.
Consider the Safety of Kids and Pets
The safety and well-being of your kids and pets is a top priority. When moving with your pets make sure all of their needs are attended to. Just like humans, it can be a very stressful time. You’ll want to pack their own overnight kit with enough food, toys, a comfort blanket/bed, and any other essentials. When moving items in and out, it’s important to keep them in a safe place whether it’s a crater, a bathroom, or a fenced yard.
If you have small children, you might want to ask a family member or friend to keep an eye on them while you’re dealing with moving furniture and boxes, or with professional movers. Before kids and pets move into your new home, do some initial child- and pet-proofing such as ensuring that there are no long hanging cords coming off blinds and nothing dangerous is lying around such as box cutters and cleaning supplies.
Thoughtfully Furnish Your New Home
If you already have comfortable, stylish furniture that perfectly suits your aesthetic preferences and needs, you’ll obviously want to bring it with you. But if you have an old, worn-out couch, a dining table on its last legs, for example, it’s probably not worth moving. In fact, it might cost you more to move it than it’s worth. Now is the perfect time to thoughtfully furnish your new home, using quality pieces that aren’t too trendy so that they’ll stand up to the test of time.
