What You Will Learn in This Article (Reading Time – 3 Minutes):

• 10 quick tips you can use to save time and make packing for a move a bit more easier

The mere thought of Packing up everything that you own and physically relocating it to a new home can seem daunting and even overwhelming. You can easily accumulate many items over the years, and a quick look in some of your closets, your garage and your attic will give you an idea of how much stuff you can cram into all of your home’s smaller spaces over time. If you are packing for a move, there are a few steps that you can take to save time and to make this process easier.

1.Start As Soon As Possible

It can be emotional to start packing for a move, and you may be inclined to delay this process for as long as possible. However, you may benefit from having a few extra weeks to tackle a big packing and Moving project. The best places to get an early head start with packing, decluttering and organizing are your garage, basement, attic and closets.

2.Put Yourself on a Schedule

As soon as you begin packing for a move, the sheer magnitude of the project in front of you can seem overwhelming. You may be tempted to throw in the towel simply because of the amount of work that needs to be done. A better idea is to create a schedule of things to do over the course of the next few weeks. Assign yourself one or two small chores to do each evening after work, and assign larger projects for the weekends when you have more time available for packing for a move.

3.Recruit Help

Many of your friends or family members may love to help you pack for your big move. However, you generally will need to reach out to them rather than wait for them to extend a helping hand. Those who can help with packing for a move also have busy lives of their own, so have minimal expectations. Only anticipate that each person to spend an hour or two helping you at most, and always show gratitude for the effort they make. Remember that even small acts of support can have a major impact in the grand scope of the project.

4.Thoroughly Spring Clean Your Home

Your closets, drawers and other spaces may be filled with a considerable number of things that you simply do not need any longer. There is no point wasting your time and energy packing and unpacking these items or paying movers to haul them. Some people will keep a charity box or bag next to the box they are packing for a move, and they will decide whether to keep or donate each and every item that passes into their hands. Others will spring clean the home ahead of time to clear away the clutter.

5.Get Everything You Need

A major time consumer when you are packing for a move relates to being forced to stop because you run out of supplies. You know that you will need storage bins, Boxes, bubble wrap or wrapping paper, box tape, scissors, a permanent marker and other supplies. Buy these items, or ask a friend who has recently moved to donate unwanted supplies to you for your current relocation project.

6.Make Ample Use of Storage Bins

Storage bins can be a saving grace when you are packing for a move. Consider that you can easily organize your items in your garage, closets and other spaces into these bins now. They are easy to transport to your new home, and you can simply slide them into place in your new closet or another storage area. This way, when you get to your new home, everything will be neat and organized, and you will have very little unpacking to do.

7.Pack Seldom-Used Items First

If you plan to get started packing for a move as soon as possible, you may be inclined to completely pack up one room before moving on to another room, but this is not always the best idea. In each room of your home, you may have seldom-used items as well as frequently-used items. Pack the seldom-used items in each room to get started. As your moving date approaches, you can then begin packing up some of your more frequently-used items

8.Leave the Essentials Out Until the Last Minute

The essentials are items that you and your family members need to live comfortably. These will be the last items that you pack as well as the first items that you unpack. It may include a change of clothes or two for each person, your bedding, hygiene items and even basic cooking items for the kitchen. These are items that you very well may pack up on the morning of your move immediately before your movers arrive. A smart idea is to keep this box of essentials in the back of your car or in your truck so that you do not lose track of it in the hustle and bustle of moving.

9.Label Boxes and Bins Clearly

The unfortunate reality is that most people who are packing for a move will need to dig through boxes and bins at some point either before the move or immediately after the move before everything has been unpacked. You may urgently need to find something that is packed away. A smart idea is to label all boxes and bins clearly. Some people even use colored tape or colored markers to more easily differentiate which rooms of the home the boxes and bins go in or which boxes they need to unpack versus store away in the attic.

If you’re short on time, did you know you can actually get a company to ship used cardboard boxes to your home? This earth-friendly-company “rescues” truckloads of quality used boxes from large companies that might otherwise recycle or throw them away. In addition to ordering boxes to be shipped to your home, you can actually order “earth-friendly moving kits” which includes the rescued boxes as well as everything you need to pack up for your move. How cool is that?! If you’re looking to save some time and get rid of some of the hassle of moving while doing your part for the environment, definitely check out UsedCardboardBoxes.com.

10.Stuff Some Items in Garbage Bags

Everything you own does not need to be placed in a box when you are packing for a move. It takes time and effort to prepare a box, fill it, transport it and more. For items such as your pillows, linens and even some of your clothes, use garbage bags for easy transportation. This is cost-effective, and you may easily be able to grab four, six or more bags at a time when relocating versus only one or two boxes at a time.

Evergreen Properties and Investments is committed to helping you achieve your real estate goals with ease in the Long Beach area. Whether you are planning to move into a new home in Long Beach soon or your plans are taking you away from the area, you can easily follow these time-saving tips when packing for a move to make the process easier and more efficient.

From the Author: My name is Dan Barcelon and I believe that Real Estate can be one of the most valuable assets you’ll ever own. I’m dedicated to educating and guiding my clients on how to manage and leverage their homes to create an Evergreen legacy for themselves and their family. I primarily consult both home buyers and home sellers on reaching their personal and financial goals through Real Estate in the following cities of Southern California: Long Beach,  Carson,  Cerritos,  Signal Hill,  Torrance,  Lakewood,  Cypress,  Downey,  Bellflower,  Norwalk,  Wilmington,  La Palma,  and Artesia.

If you’d like to discuss if buying, selling, or investing in real estate is right for you at this time, feel free to reach out. You can call/text me at 562-270-5812, or you can e-mail me at [email protected].

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