If you are reading this, chances are you sold your home and are preparing to move. If that is the case then congratulations on the sale of your home! The next battle for you will be moving, which can be quite the task!
You may have years of memories and accumulated items that are in your home currently. It can be a huge task to get years of things ready to move in only a few short weeks. Now that you finally have your home sold that is one thing you do not have to worry about. Now you have to set your sights on moving.

This article is intended to show you how to maximize your time and get everything set for the big move. It will chronicle from the eight week mark all the way down to moving day.

8 Weeks

If you plan to use a professional mover this is the time to get your estimates from moving companies and chose the best mover suited for you. If you plan to move on your own you should look into getting truck estimates from rental companies. No matter what you choose to do you will want to reserve your truck to make sure it is available on moving day. Many companies will give discounts when you reserve in advance so that is extra incentive as well.

The next thing that will help you is looking at a floor plan of your new home. This will help you to draw up a plan of what will go where and help you decide what furniture you currently have will stay and what will go.

It is important that you start using up the items that wouldn’t be proper to move. These things can include foods that are in your refrigerator and freezer.

If you are moving out of the area you are currently in you will want to look for information on your new town. You can call the Chamber of Commerce in your new city to get relocation information. You may even be able to get this information from the real estate agent that helped you buy your new home.

6 Weeks

Now is the time to talk to your movers about everything you need to. The things you will need to discuss will include: additional costs, insurance to cover your possessions, packing information, how things will be loaded onto the truck, what will happen once your items get there, and how they will handle removing your items and unpacking.

Take inventory of all your items. This will allow you to determine what you want to keep and what you want to sell. Another option would include giving your items to charity. Not only is this something wonderful of you to do to help other people, but it is also tax deductible.

If you are moving out of the school district make a plan to transfer your children’s records at this point. You will also want to do the same if you are switching doctors.

Get a change of address kit from the post office and begin filling out your forms. Many companies will tell you it takes 6-8 weeks to acknowledge a change of address, so this would be perfect timing. You will want to send these cards to creditors, magazine subscriptions, and other items you get on a regular basis.

4 Weeks

Now you will want to get into cleaning as there isn’t much time left. Have your carpets and draperies cleaned and repaired if needed.

If you need to rent storage now would be a good time to do it so. You can get any items you don’t currently need transferred before the move.

Around this time you will want to hold your moving sale if you plan to sell any of the items you own. This gives you plenty of time to handle the sale comfortably. Once the sale is over you will also have plenty of time to spend some money you recently made on your new home.

If you decided to move yourself you should start estimating how many boxes you will need to make this move happen. If you have hired a moving company that will be packing up your items for you then now is the time to set up a few days for them to handle the packing.

3 Weeks

Consider purchasing your moving and packing items at this point if you are packing yourself. You will need some or all of the following items:

* Furniture pads
* A dolly
* Packing tape
* Boxes
* Bubble wrap
* Styrofoam peanuts
* Newspaper
* Scissors
* Utility Knife
* Labels
* Markers

Once you have all these things you should begin packing the items that you will not really need any longer. Note: you should not over-pack your boxes.

The three week mark is a perfect time to schedule the date to cancel your utilities at the old home and have them turned on at the new home.

If you are moving out of state and will not be staying in your new home the night you technically move, now would be perfect timing to make your travel and hotel arrangements, as well.

2 Weeks

At the two week mark you will want to inform your telephone provider of your move and schedule a time to hook up service at the new residence. You should do the same with your cable and internet provider at this time.

If you are closing your bank account due to moving to a new area you should do this now. You will also want to make sure that you close any direct deposits that go to the bank and transfer them to your new account.

Cancel your newspapers or anything else that is regularly delivered and have these sent to the new home.
If you have pets you should call your vet and find out tips to determine what will make the moving process easier and less stressful on them. You want to do this now so that you are ready and have a plan that will suit them.

1 Week

At this point you can continue packing items you may no longer need. You should have a larger accumulation of boxes beginning to form and that’s good. It means less work you will have to do come moving day.

If you are moving out of the area you will need to make a note to transfer all your prescriptions and other medical information to your new area pharmacy.

Take this time before the actual move to return any library books or videos you have out on loan. You may also want to set up time with a babysitter or a relative to help watch the children to make moving a simpler task.

3 Days

You’re about to move now so you want to make sure that you defrost your refrigerator and freezer and clean them both out to prepare for the move.

If you are having professional movers come in this should be about the time when they begin packing things up to get ready for moving day. You will want to make sure that you have the appropriate amount of cash or a cashier’s check ready for the day you move to settle the account once everything has been handled.

Pack a special box that contains handy items or items you will need right away. When you do this you will also want to keep at least two days clothes set aside to make sure that incase of delays you have some clean clothing. You should also keep out any personal hygiene items you will need.

Pack up and put aside any personal documents or valuables that you do not want placed in the truck and that you will be carrying, doing this now will ensure less confusion on moving day.

24 Hours

If you are driving the truck yourself you should pick up the truck the night before the move. This will give you some extra time to pack and see that you are prepared for the morning.

You should make a list of all the items you have and what boxes they are in. This will ensure that if you are instantly in need of something that you will be able to find it.

Turn off all your appliances and make sure that the water and all electrical items and lights are turned off.
Let the movers know where you can be reached while you are in between homes. Make sure they can contact you at all times should they have any questions or need anything from you during the moving process.

Before leaving for good do a final walk through of the house and make sure you have everything. Make sure to check the basement, attic, and garage as these are the top three places where people forget things when moving.

Moving Day

Take note of the following items you may need before packing:

* Pencils and paper
* Local phone book
* Paper plates
* Cups
* Bath towels
* Trash bags
* Toilet paper
* Drinks

Refer to your moving inventory list and check off each box as it comes off the truck. You should take each box to the room it belongs as this will make it much easier to unpack.

Make sure your utilities, phone, and any other services that were to be turned on are in working order. You should also check the locks and install any new ones if you have plans on doing so.

The first thing you should unpack is your children’s toys or books as this will occupy them while you are getting each room in order.

That’s about it. Once you get to that point all you have to do is pay the driver if you had one, unpack, and enjoy your new home.