Step 21 to Buying a New Home: Book Your Move and Start Packing!

If you’ve come this far, you’re doing fantastic! Give yourself pat on the back. This can also be a stressful time if you are nor organized so start your packing way ahead of time.

Important to remember: Book our movers at least 1 day after your move and your new furniture and appliances at least 1 day after the move. This way, there will be a room for the furniture/ appliances to be unpacked and moved efficiently without damage. If your house came with appliances then this can wait at least a week when you settled a little bit – it’s not the end of the world.

If you’re moving to a condo building, contact the condo management or concierge to ensure that your date is available. Depending on the condo, some may not let you move during rush hours or during a busy day. You would also be asked for a deposit in case you ding the elevator or damage the condo on your move. This deposit will be returned to you at the end of the move.

If you have just sold and moving at the same time, prepare for delays. Do not book your movers at the same time of your closing on your previous home to avoid paying extra for the truck and the storage. If you hire us as your Realtor on both the sale and purchase, we will advise you to move a few days earlier (some move at least 1 month earlier into the new house) and just pay for bridge financing. If you’re in this situation, we will advise you of how this is done to ensure a smooth and stress-free move.

Once you booked your movers (if you’re using one), or booked the truck if you’re doing it yourself, then it’s time to organize your stuff. Start with ditching things you don’t need, you don’t use for 2 years, you don’t care about. Donate things that can be re-used (this will involve longer time if you’re sorting).

The cheapest way to do your move is by throwing a moving party with your friends and family (usually on a weekend), order pizzas and drinks (if you intend to serve booze then do this at the end of the move. It’s better to stay with non-alcoholic drink while moving.

Now back to organizing, now that you already have thrown (hopefully at least half of your junks) and donated the ones that can be re-used, then it’s time to start packing. Go to Kijiji or MarketPlace (beware of those asking for deposit money first) to get moving boxes – pay it on the spot in cash to avoid getting scam.
Follow these steps:
1. Create a layout of the new house (hallway, kitchen, main bedroom, bedroom 1, 2, 3, etc) then label your boxes according to these rooms and make sure you put same label on the doors or near the room that your stuff are going to. Photocopy the main layout for everyone to see. Dump your stuff (or organize it well) according to these rooms.

2. The day of the move. Put all the smaller heavy boxes first in the truck and heavy big furniture last so that they can be moved in first in the proper rooms.

3. Take your clothes still in hanger, wrap them in transparent big bags and put them in your car (if you have one) as well as small knickknacks, jewelry boxes, most important documents, and your wallets, coupons, etc. Tag your bags with the respective rooms. Move the straight to the closets where they belong. Same with your shoes.

4. Put those kitchen and bathroom items that are needed immediately (plates, condiments, cutleries, paper towels, toilet papers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand soap, shampoos and towels) in a transparent bag or box them together and put in your car or move it with you so it will come in handy during the move.

5. Order your pizza and drinks and celebrate with friends at the end of the day

You’re done!