Moving is stressful. It requires extensive planning and prioritizing as you juggle an endless number of tasks. Most people find themselves overwhelmed as they try to figure out what they should be doing—and when they should be doing it. This is something we completely understand at SimpleShowing, so we created the perfect relocation guide to keep you on track and as stress free as possible.

Timing is crucial to a successful move.

Even in a perfect world, relocating and moving is never a seamless process, nor is it ever stress free. However, the single best way to guarantee your move will be as successful (and tolerable) as possible is by creating a detailed timeline and checklist. Having a moving calendar checklist will increase your productivity and keep you from forgetting critical tasks.

Two Months Until Moving Date:

• Start by creating a “moving binder” full of checklists, receipts, invoices, records, contacts, and other resources to help you stay organized during your move. Tailor this binder to your specific needs and refer to it frequently.
• Decide if you are going to require help from a moving company. Now is the time to start doing some research to determine if you are going to move yourself or hire a professional crew. If you decide to hire movers, compare moving apps, contact different companies and do some price shopping. Don’t forget to read reviews and check into the company’s reputation.
• Sort, declutter, and purge unnecessary items. This will help you decide what goes with you, what gets donated or sold, and what gets pitched out in the garbage. For bigger items, consider hiring a rubbish remover to help dispose of the junk for you. Make sure to go through every room of the house and make notes of anything that might require special packaging during the move. Handling this beforehand will help setting up your new place go much more smoothly as you’ll have less junk to store.
• Start packing early. Last minute packers experience the greatest amount of stress,. If you start early and break it up, you will find the whole process less overwhelming. You can work slowly on this and start by packing only items that you don’t use very often. If possible, pack an entire room at a time and label boxes with the room they belong in to make it easier on yourself when you unpack. This way, you’ll know exactly where things belong without having to search through boxes to figure it out later.

Six Weeks Until Moving Date:

• Finalize your moving arrangements. Did you decide to do it yourself or hire movers? Either way, get things booked now. If you decide to do it alone, then start shopping for a place to rent a truck for a price you are willing to pay.
• Take measurements or review floorplans of your new place if possible. Figure out if your furniture will fit in the dimensions of your new house. If not, it might be time to do some shopping! If you do this far enough in advance, you also may be able to sell furniture that will not fit before having to deal with the work of moving it.
• Start gathering family records, including school, family doctor, and dental records to date. Don’t forget to get your pet’s vet records also! Ask each provider to give you some referrals for where you plan to relocate. Having this part taken care of will make the load much lighter as you settle in and search for new providers.
• Update your mailing address where applicable. Start with USPS, which allows you to save time by making the update online. Next, write down a list of all companies using your current address for billing and shipping. Contact tax agencies, your gas and electric company, and your phone, cable and internet providers. Let them know when they should stop service and your new where they can the address where they can send the final bill.

One Month Until Moving Date:

• Finalize Travel Plans. Only one month until the big day and it is time to make specific travel plans. Book flights, reserve a car—whatever it may be just get your travel plans locked in so you have one less thing to worry about. If you need to book a flight or rent a car, doing so early can save you money. Websites like Expedia and Orbitz offer bundles if you’re looking to rent a car, book a hotel, or schedule a flight. Also, Airbnb can be an affordable option if you need to break up a long drive and are looking for an inexpensive place to stay.
• Continue packing using a clear and concise labeling system. Separate what you consider “essential” boxes from the boxes that can be unpacked at a later date.
• Finalize arrangements with your moving company or the rental truck company. To ensure things go smoothly on moving day, it is probably a good idea to call up your moving/rental company to confirm your dates match up with their availability.
• Continue alerting the various businesses that you plan to move and provide a timeline.
• Notify your employer. If you haven’t already done this, now is the time to let your employer know you are leaving and give them a change of address for your final paycheck and tax papers.

One Week Until Moving Date:

• Finish packing all of your boxes and then get an essential suitcase packed. This suitcase should contain a week’s worth of clothes for you/family and anything else you “can’t live without” such as prescriptions, documents, money, etc.
• If you plan to move your refrigerator, start the cleaning out process. You will want to defrost it a day or two before you move.
• Call the moving company and double check they have the correct time and date. Check logistics to make sure you are on the same page.
• Refill prescriptions and have enough medication for at least a week or two until you establish your new pharmacy.

The Day of the Move:

• Wake up early to make sure you are packed before the movers arrive. You should rise early on moving day and make sure you are packed and ready for the movers. The last thing you want to do is scramble around trying to pack things when you need to be directing movers on what items to pack or packing a truck yourself.
• Make sure necessary devices are charged. Is your cell phone charged? If not, charge it because you need to be able to make instant connections all day. Might as well grab a portable battery pack while you are at it just in case.
• Do you have your moving essentials suitcase packed up? This should be on the top of your list!
• Set aside payment for the moving company or truck rental. Make sure to have payment ready for the moving company. Make sure to budget for 10-15% tip which typically is paid for in cash.
• Prepare a small box of cleaning supplies that you can easily access. This includes things like Windex, toilet bowl cleaner, dusting supplies, etc. It doesn’t matter how much you have already cleaned the house, you will have last minute messes to deal with. You may also need to do some initial cleaning when you get to your new place, so having this readily available will make your life much easier.
• Do a final walkthrough to account for any missing items. After your possessions have been loaded up, do one final walkthrough and visit each room of the house. Remember to check any drawers or cabinets for items you may have missed.

The Aftermath:

• Now that you are settling in, take the time to review your moving company and send thank you notes to friends and family who helped.
• Go ahead and explore the neighborhood and get to know your neighbors!

Maximizing Relocation Assistance for a Smooth Transition

When embarking on the journey to a new city for a new job, leveraging relocation assistance can significantly streamline the moving process. Many employers offer comprehensive relocation packages that cover all the costs associated with moving, from hiring professional movers to the purchase of moving supplies such as moving boxes and a moving truck. To ensure a seamless transition, familiarize yourself with the housing market in your new location early on. This knowledge will help you budget effectively for relocation costs and find a residence that meets your needs and preferences.

Additionally, remember to update your address at the post office and explore your new surroundings, including local grocery stores and community centers. This exploration will not only help you adjust to your new environment but also provide opportunities to make new friends and build a support network. Following these relocation tips will equip you with the tools needed for a successful move, allowing you to fully embrace the excitement of starting fresh in a new city.

Save Money On Your Move.

Relocating and moving can cost a lot of money. However, by buying a home with SimpleShowing, you can get a check for $5,037 on average with the SimpleShowing Buyer’s Refund Program to help offset moving expenses, pay for closing costs for your new place or even cover the price of new appliances.

Relocating is expensive, stressful, and exhausting—and we think you deserve a break. Print out this quick, relocation guide as a checklist to make your move feel less like a juggling act, and more like the exciting, life transition that lies ahead.

For more tips related to moving and buying a home, keep reading below:

• 7 Tips To Consider When Buying New Construction
• Home Inspection Checklist For Buyers: What You Need To Know Before Inspection Day
• What To Do After You’re Under Contract
• 5 Pro Tips To Get Your Offer Accepted On A Home