moving

You’ve finally found the right house in the right neighborhood with the right schools, and the best mall in the state right next door. You navigated the mortgage minefields and managed to get a fairly decent interest rate on your loan without completely destroying your credit score. The negotiations were tough, but you finally got the seller to agree to fix the heat pump and the compressor and knock 15% off the price because of the roof that hadn’t been changed in 22-years. Now, you are ready to make the big move from apartment dweller to homeowner where instead of calling the landlord to fix the garbage disposal; you go to a big box store, buy an In-Sink-Erator and watch the YouTube how-to about 5 times before you finally call a plumber to install it. But, at long last, it’s time to move in.

1. MAKE A PLAN AND STICK TO IT

If you are moving locally, say within a 15-mile radius, you want to plan very carefully so that you get all of your ‘stuff’ out of one home, and into the other, within one day. This is definitely doable – if – you plan your day carefully and intelligently. This also means that all of the pre-packing of boxes, and labeling of said boxes, has been done beforehand. That way, you’ll be able to estimate pretty accurately how long it will take to pack the moving van. Unpacking it will take about one-third to one-half less time than packing because you aren’t mentally organizing the various objects to fit inside the truck.

But if your new home has narrow or complicated entryways and elevators to deal with – those impediments could increase unpacking time significantly. That’s why it’s a good idea to actually visit your new home, with a representative of the moving company, if possible, days before the actual move, so that you can both survey your new home’s location and pre-plan for any impediments that might be there.

2. KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING

Another benefit of surveying your home before your moving day would be to take the time and effort during this scout day to discover the very best route between your old house and your new home. That means driving the route at approximately the same time that your moving van will be doing so on your moving day so that you have some idea of what the traffic will be like. For example, it might be wiser to use surface streets for part of the drive, instead of a freeway because a factory near that freeway changes shifts at the time your van will be traversing that part of your route. Google Maps or Mapquest can be very helpful in your route planning because of their ability to help you change the route and offer alternatives.

3. PAINT BEFORE YOU MOVE IN

If scheduling allows, it is always a good idea to do repair, paint and remodeling tasks before you move into your new home. Also, paint takes many hours to dry completely and the odors and chemical residues during the drying process can be nauseating. But a good paint job is so important not only for the beauty of your home, but also for its durability.

If you are going to paint your home before your moving day, why not consult with a professional stylist to help coordinate your home’s colors to give it a coordinated look. The money you spend on a designer could be more than made up for if you end up changing your mind and re-painting several rooms multiple times.

4. WATCH OUT FOR THE HIDDEN COSTS

Different moving companies use all sorts of different methods for determining the costs of your move. Make sure you pin the company sales rep down on his/her estimate before your moving day commences. It is always a good idea to get an Outline of Moving Costs from any moving company that you involve in the bidding process for your move. You don’t want a big $urprise at the end of a day in which you have been going full-force for 12-to-14 hours and are, consequently, too tired and stressed to even consider haggling about prices.

5. BE PREPARED

In spite of all of your pre-planning, moving days, by their very nature, can be filled with unexpected disruptions. We can all certainly apply Murphy’s Law to any enterprise, like a moving day, that utilizes so many people and consists of so many moving parts. So, be prepared for the ‘wheels to come off’ some time during your moving day. If you’ve anticipated this, and planned prudently, you’ll be able to handle that disquiet with composure and poise so that it doesn’t spoil your day and you can eventually get back on track.

Judy Lees is a super-connector with Photographers In Islamabad who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, Photography, branding and networking. He frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing, digital photography.

It can be difficult for parents to deal with the moving process, but it can also be hard on their children. It is not easy leaving the stable and familiar for something unfamiliar. In many cases moving means a new school, new friends, and a new environment. It’s not that kids don’t like changes, they are just more vulnerable to them.

With the proper explanation you can help your child to understand. But be sure to tell them as soon as the idea appears. Don’t hide it. The more time they have to get used to the idea of relocating will help them to accept the idea.

Emphasize on the positive aspects and involve them in the decision making process. Knowing the reason why the move is necessary can help them understand the situation better. It will be stressful for them at first, but with time it will get better.

If you are moving locally, you can take a day off to give your child a tour of their new home. Explain to them where each room will be positioned and focus on where their room will be. Let them see the view from the window, look around and explore. This will hint that the decision of relocation is final. Talk to your children about the way they imagine their future room.

On “Moving Day”, be sure to give special attention to your child by allowing them to keep a few of their favorite toys with them or even have a new toy ready to give them. This may help ease their anxiety so that they won’t feel too sad about moving. Assure your child that many other pleasant things are awaiting him/her once you get there and settle down.

The little ones enjoy being part of what adults do, so you can allow your child to help unpack clothes and arrange them in drawers. Give your child the impression that he/she is in charge and you’re only helping. Ask him/her where they want to put a certain item and give your opinion on how it will look like there.

Once you’ve arranged furniture and settled down, organize a party in order for you to meet the neighbors and for your children to have the chance to make new friends. Take care of your children’s favorite treats and drinks, and make the day special and worth remembering. This will definitely cheer your kid up like any other fun activity. Socializing is a step forward for your child to feel the new place as a safe home.

In the meantime, pay as much attention to your kid as you can, observing his/her mood and asking about the way he/she feels. Do whatever you can to make your child feel comfortable so that you can feel that way too. Communication is important, so make your children believe that the new place is going to be even better than the old one. Talk about the possibilities, the nearby park with plenty of fun stuff to do there, for instance. With time your child will accept the move to your new home and you will, once again, fall into a normal and everyday routine.

Guest Post Bio: Grace is a happy mother and desperate housewife wishing to share tips and tricks. Enjoy her publications at www.londonremovals.co.uk