Getting ready to move can be overwhelming to say the least! Earlier this week, we gave you a few tips on making Moving Day a little less stressful. Now we’ve got a checklist for you to help you stay on track! From cleaning, to packing, and everything in between, here’s what you need to remember when you’re getting ready to move:
CLEAN THE NEW HOME
Our #1 recommendation is to clean the home you are about to move in to. It is the only time that the home is vacant and ready for a full cleaning. Clean things like cabinets, drawers, corners of closets, window, lights, etc. Most homes are cleaned before you move in – but if not, make sure you take a couple hours to put the elbow grease in before you pile all of your things in the home.
PACK SOME ESSENTIALS
Pack a box or bag of essentials that you will need the next few days after the move. Things to include: a few changes of clothes, kitchen utensils, towels, sheets, a can opener, electronic and phone chargers… anything you might need for a few days while everything else you own in still in a box! The last thing you want to do is dig through a dozen boxes to find these little essentials. Also, keep a folder handy that has your most important papers in it, so it is easily accessible in the event you needed to get to them quickly (this helps keeps them safe, too).
SORT AND SELL ITEMS
About 6 weeks before you move, start sorting and selling items. This will allow you enough time to coordinate, de-clutter, and organize. Moving is a perfect time to get organized!
START PACKING
Pack one box at a time. Remember to designate an area or box/bag for trash, donations, any additional things you will be selling and things you are giving to 
family or friends. Remember to label your boxes clearly. Packing and labeling them by room is a great start, and label boxes on their sides, as you will most likely be stacking them. It also helps to make a list of what is in each box if you are considering storing your boxes after moving.
TAKE PHOTOS
If you are disassembling electronics or furniture, do yourself a big favor and take a picture of it BEFORE you take it apart. This will really help when you go to put things back together! This time saving trick will save you lots of frustration, too.
CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS
Change your address with everyone! There is nothing worse than ordering something great on Amazon and it getting sent to your old address. Think of all of your online ordering sites, banks, PayPal, credit cards and of course your family and friends – you don’t want to miss out on the yearly birthday card from Grandma!
Moving is an exciting time, full of anticipation of what the future holds in your new home. Take it one step at a time, prepare to be successful, and you will find that moving is not as hard as you think!
For additional tips, tricks, and moving hacks, check out The JS Realty Team Pinterest Page!
Don’t forget to Contact Us today for a FREE, no-obligation consultation!
The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia
The day has finally arrived – it’s moving day! You have accomplished your goal of buying a home and now reality is setting in. Packing up and moving your belongings can be a stressful event. Good preparation and planning will help minimize the stress.
One fabulous benefit of moving is that it’s a great time to purge your home. The more you purge the less you have to pack! So it saves you time and money in moving expenses. If you haven’t worn or used an item in the last 6 months, donate it! There are many great charities that will take unwanted clothes, books, furniture and anything else you don’t need or use. The JS Realty Team uses 
Now that you have reduced the amount of unneeded items in your possession, it is time to organize your new home! If everything has a place then it is easier to keep your new home organized. There are many resources out there to help you organize every corner of your home. From the garage to the Master Bedroom closet you will be amazed at how a little planning and a few organizational tools can help you make the best use of the space you have. 
life. Children can grow up with their same friends, continuing on through school with people they are comfortable with. It helps your family grow roots, so to speak, and feel as though they are part of a community, when you have the familiarity of living in the same home, neighborhood, and town. Children’s (and adult’s!) hobbies and sports also benefit from having the same core group of neighbors, teachers, and coaches continuously supporting them when you own your home in your community.
substantially reduces your taxes owed. As a homeowner with a 30 year mortgage, most of your payment is interest on the loan. Homes generally rise in value; this is how you build equity in your home. As you slowly pay down the loan your home’s value is rising. Making improvements to your home also adds value. Another great benefit is that you get to choose the improvements instead of living with someone else’s choices. Rents in our area are continually on the rise. Provided you have a fixed rate loan, owning your home means your mortgage payment remains the same throughout the length of the loan. And with rates as low as they are today, most people are choosing a fixed rate on a 30 year loan.
control to decide if and when you move. Most rental properties are not available to rent for more than 2 years, so this means every few years you have to start the whole process of finding a home to rent and moving all over again. Stability and being in charge of your own destiny is a very powerful and liberating feeling.
Now, there are instances when buying might not be right for you. If you are not going to be in the area for more than 2 years, you probably would be better off renting. If you are saving to buy a home then maybe sacrificing and living in a small home you rent would help you save the money you need for your down payment.