Moving in the Winter

Here are Some Tips for a Winter Move:

Moving is a lot of work no matter how you look at it. Have a moving company, great, its still work and now to make some matters more difficult it is winter time and possible snow and cold wind etc: So, here’s some things to consider to possibly help you out:

Shovel and salt walkways and driveways. Ensure your movers have a clear path at both homes. Head out before the scheduled moving time and clear any snow from driveways and walkways. Sprinkle some rock salt to prevent ice from forming.

Leave the heat and electricity on. Keep the utilities going in both homes. Light and warmth can be beneficial if your move runs into the evening hours. However, you may want to leave a door open to maintain a consistent temperature between the outside and inside, as you can become tired more quickly if your body temperature switches too often.

Winter buying and selling your home:

Since many people don’t move in the winter, people don’t price as high as they want to move out ASAP. This is a great deal for you!

Moving in the off season is great for moving companies.

When you deal with sellers and buyers in the winter, they are usually almost 100% sold on moving ASAP. Otherwise they would be waiting until spring. Those that come to open houses are much more likely to buy.

Along with being less expensive, you also have a higher chance of getting accepted as a bidder. The homeowners probably don’t have many offers to choose from so it’s easier to win the bid.

Realtors can be swamped in the summer and they may not have much time to take you to all the houses you want to see. In the winter, you have many more options and more time to ask questions.

And:

Keep your exterior clear of snow/add sand to make sure people don’t slip and fall

Keep it bright-leave windows open, turn all the lights on and have a fire in the fireplace.

Turn up the heat! This makes the house seem warm and inviting-even when it’s 25 degrees out

Fix any cracks/heat issues before you sell.

Some more helpful tips on moving:

Lay out and sort your clothes. Often times over the years clothes can become piled up without you even realizing it. The first step to sort this all out is to get all of your clothes out from your dresser, closet, attic, and below your bed. Lay everything out, either across your floor, or on top of your bed. Begin to pair things together, based on color, size, and fabric.

Once you have started to make categories, place each of your articles in select piles.

Begin to match box and suitcase sizes. If you have a relatively small pile of specific articles, you can pair that pile with a smaller box. Some of the larger piles might have to be matched with a suitcase or larger box.

Get rid of unnecessary items. This is the perfect time to try on some of the old in your closet that you haven't worn in ten years. Check the clothes for mildew, moth balls, flees, bedbugs, etc. Smell them to see if they have a musty scent. Determine whether they are outdated. After you search through your closet/cupboard, you should have a pile of outdated, outgrown, and worn out clothes to throw away.

Run your fingernail overtop of the fabric. This will help loosen any bugs, or bedbug fecal matter (dried blood) which is present on your clothes. It is best to dispose of these clothes, especially if they are old and haven't been worn in a while.

Donate clothing that is still in good shape and does not fit you or is not appropriate for the climate in your new home. Many people like to take clothes to Goodwill or homeless shelters.

Throw out clothing that is torn, stained or too worn to wear in public. This is especially true when it comes to any old underwear and socks which have been crammed in your dresser drawer for many years.

Put aside clothing you will need immediately. You will probably not finish all of your unpacking on the first day of your move, so keep a small bag with a few changes of clothes that you can use when you first arrive at your new home. Remember to leave out an outfit for moving day as well, and include undergarments and socks.

Pack the items you need upon arrival to your new home in a separate container. This could include not just clothes, but also toothbrushes, deodorant, hairspray, etc.

Use old clothing to package breakable items. When you move, chances are you will have to move glassware, dishes, etc. Wrap these items in some of those clothes you were going to throw away. Find specific items which fit the shape and size of what you want to wrap. If there are elongated items you can place them in pants legs. If it is a wide plate you wish to wrap, place it in the body of a shirt.

Carefully stack these items on top of one another, or side-to-side. Do not throw the items down and break them.

You can also add extra layers of old clothes in between the items when you start packing them up. Add a shirt, or an extra pair of pants, in between the items.

Pack your glasses or stemware in knee high socks.