Quick Tips to Make Moving Easier
Moving out of your old Anchorage house and into a new one can sometimes feel as stressful as having to sell your home in the first place. This can take away some of the excitement of moving into a new home. But, moving doesn't have to fray nerves and cause undue anxiety. With a little planning and organizing, you can make your Anchorage move go smoothly.Packing - The best tip I can give you when packing up your Anchorage home's contents is start early. As soon as you put your home on the market, start packing away holiday decorations, extra linens, special occasion cookware/dinnerware and knick-knacks. This can also help you sell your home faster because it eliminates clutter. The more time you have to pack, the less stressed you'll be.
Keep/Sell/Donate - Chances are, you have accumulated a lot of "stuff" that you don't use anymore. The longer you are in your Anchorage home, the more likelihood you have extra "stuff". A good rule of thumb is if you haven't used or worn it in the last 12 months, you won't miss it if it's gone. Of course, this doesn't include family heirlooms. Before anything goes into a box, go through your clothing, linens, kids' toys, books, etc and decide what you want to keep, what you can sell and what you wish to donate. Holding a garage/yard sale can bring in a little cash to help with the move as well as reduce the amount you have to pack. Whatever is left over after the sale can be donated, as long as it is in good condition and still usable. Keep your receipts from any donations you make since they are tax deductible.
Organize - Pack room by room. Only put items in each box that belong in a particular room. For example, keep items from the bathroom in the box for the bathroom. Don't add them into the box with the kitchen stuff. That will cause frustration when trying to find it at your new Anchorage home. Clearly mark which room the box belongs to on the outside of the box on at least two (preferably three) sides with a big black magic marker. If you want to be even more organized, write the contents of the box on the outside as well. That way, if you're looking for the toaster or coffee maker, you can find which kitchen box it is in without having to open 10 boxes first.
Unpack Me First Box - Always pack a separate box that contains things like paper plates, plastic utensils, disposable cups, napkins/paper towels, a roll of toilet paper, instant coffee, creamer, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, prescription medication and, if necessary, forumula, diapers and pet supplies. Mark this box "Unpack Me First" and keep it in your vehicle, separate from the rest of the boxes. This will help make your first night in your new Anchorage home much easier.
Moving doesn't have to be a stress-filled event. Follow these quick tips to make moving easier on your and your family. Start early, stay organized and filter through the extra stuff and you'll do just fine. Let me know when you're ready to sell your old Anchorage home and start anew.
Pauline Hofseth, your Anchorage real estate specialist
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