Ready To Buy a Home? How To Start the Moving and Storage Process

Are you in the market for a new home? Perhaps you haven't found the perfect property yet, but you want to prepare for your move right now. Take a look at what you need to know about moving, storage, and the easy ways to plan the transition into your future dream home.

Do You Need To Wait To Start Planning?

No, you do not need to wait until you've closed on your new home to start planning a move. If you're sure you will move but haven't found the just-right new home yet, you can start to organize right now.

The first few steps you take will set you up for an easy, stress-free move that won't feel rushed. This streamlines the process, gives you a better idea of what to expect from the move, and can help you to budget for packing, moving, and storage-related costs.

What Should You Do First?

Think of these steps as the pre-planning process. You aren't likely ready to move today—or even tomorrow. But you still need to organize everything and plan for the move. This process is complex and could include a variety of scheduling needs or services that you will need to carefully coordinate.

If you're not sure where to start:

• Identify your moving goals. Ask yourself a few questions. After you purchase a home, will you need to quickly move everything you own from point A to point B? Will you need to declutter before you move? Do you have a fixed budget you will need to stick to?
• Consider the possibility of renovations. Are you looking at fixer-uppers? If you will need to renovate any home that you buy, you may need to rent a self-storage unit to use during the home improvement project process.
• Talk to a few professionals. How much will a move cost? What is the rate for a storage rental in your area? Contact moving and storage contractors for information on estimates and services.

Organize the pre-planning process with a moving inventory. Even though you may not move everything on the inventory, this master list of your belongings can help you to mark items for removal (to sell, donate, recycle, or throw away) and pick out breakables or anything that requires special moving services (such as a piano or artwork).

When Should You Schedule Moving and Storage Services?

While you can schedule services any time you want, wait until after your closing to sign a moving estimate. If the purchase of your new home falls through or the closing date needs to change, you may not have the ability to cancel a moving contractor's services.

To plan your move, get a ballpark date of when you may need these services and ask the mover about their availability. This gives you a better idea of what to expect and provides valuable information on how quickly the company's moving dates fill up.

You can also talk to the mover about specific days of the week and times of the day. Some days, such as mid-week days, are often easier to book. This allows you to book a service closer to the actual moving date.

If you plan to store some of your belongings as you move or while you renovate your new home, you may want to contact a self-storage facility as soon as possible. Unlike the rest of the move, you won't need to wait to store furniture, seasonal items, gardening tools, or anything else.

A self-storage rental provides an off-site space to safely hold overflow items, allowing you to declutter your home right now, next week, or any time before your move.

Do you want to learn more about moving and storage services? Contact Coffee's Moving and Storage for more information.