What are we forgetting when we move?

Moving is an overwhelming process – we’ve all been there. We also know that it’s easy to forget the little things when we’re in the middle of a million tasks. So, when you decide the take the plunge, here’s a list of things to prompt you to remember the little (and most important things). 

Homebuyers always dread moving day. Everyone forgets something on moving day, and there’s no surprise why. Without a doubt, moving is one of the most stressful things we can put ourselves through. From packing to labelling, organising removalists, unpacking and cleaning, there’s always one thing that ends up overlooked. 

Here’s a quick list of some common things we are most likely to forget when it comes to moving day: 

Miscellaneous items & knick-knacks 

When packing items, the small miscellaneous items are the hardest to place and therefore the easiest to lose sight of. Things like cords, remotes, stationery items and other uncategorised items will likely get lost. 

Because these items are hard to place, we have a tendency to throw them in any box, often unmarked, and leave it to deal with when unpacking. This is when we begin to short-change ourselves. Moving is about organising – so even if you don’t know where to place those growing collection of knick-knacks, put them all together and remember to label it accordingly. It will save you the headache when it comes to unpacking. 

Switching addresses

Moving entails a list of a million and one things to do. One of the more forgettable tasks is to remember to switch mailing addresses. 

While remembering to send out your new address to family and friends is one thing, your bank, driver’s license, health fund/Medicare and utilities are important ones to keep on top of. Keep a running list of any subscriptions or institutions that require your address is an excellent way to stay on top of it. It may be the last thing on your mind, but the aim is to do the work’s brunt at the beginning of the moving period, so you’re not drawing out the process. 

Storing important documents

Documents such as birth certificates, passports, insurance and legal documents obviously need to be accounted for. It’s unlikely that you’ll forget to pack these documents, however, it can be easy to forget to remember where you have stored them. Again, it’s easy to assign all paperwork to its own box, but this can quickly turn into a disaster when you have to sift through piles of paperwork to find crucial documents. 

In this case, assigning essential documents to its own box and labelling it specifically will easily solve the problem. If you’re really paranoid about losing them in the mountain of existing boxes, keep it close and store it in the car with other essentials. 

Clean as you go

This is another time-saver, organising the move in increments will help you tick off (mentally or otherwise) your checklist. While this is true for packing, it’s also a time/energy saver for cleaning. 

Cleaning as you go can help keep the stress levels down. It can be tempting to want to pack everything up first and deal with the cleaning later but having an entire house to clean at the end is a dreaded task. 

Cleaning a room (vacuuming, wiping/cleaning walls and windows) after the room’s contents is packed will allow you to thoroughly move through the house. You won’t be able to do this with every room, but it will certainly help out when you’re going through more dominant areas of the house like the kitchen. It’s also a good opportunity to do some decluttering in the process.

When you’re finished, close the room off, so you know it’s done and completed. 

Similarly, when you move into your new home, take the time to clean and organise your possessions. You’re more likely to remember where things are if you’ve taken the time to place them rather than dumping them somewhere. This is especially true with storage spaces like your garage and shed. These are the areas that are most likely to get disorganised very quickly. Yes, it will take time, but you’ll be grateful for your efforts later on. 

Remember to set aside the essentials 

Packing and unpacking aside, your first moving day will be the most exhausting and stressful day. 

Having your essentials ready at hand will be your saving grace when it comes to the first few days in your new home. Make sure you have these essentials packed and ready in the car the night before you move to save you the pain of rummaging through your packed boxes. 

• Bottled water
• Utensil-free snacks at hand 
• Disposable plates, cups and cutlery 
• Cleaning supplies: paper towels, sponges, multi-purpose/window cleaner, broom, dustpan and garbage bin 
• Charging cords
• Light bulbs
• Bathroom essentials – toiletries, bath and hand towels and soap
• Laundry supplies
• Bedding essentials – sheets, duvets/duvet covers and pillowcases

You’ll likely spend the first few nights eating out or ordering in but if you decide to cook, refrain from anything that requires too much effort or cooking supplies. Be sure not to unpack anything unless you have a designated space for it.

Aside from the above, pack your personal possessions as if you were going away from the weekend – be sure that you have your toiletries and any medication packed with you. Again, the last thing you want is to be going through packed boxes trying to find your shampoo and conditioner. 

Understand the value of your property

It may not seem like it, but understanding your new home’s value is the first pre-emptive step in moving into it. Before you make an offer, a property valuation is a good start to ensure that you’re paying the current market value. You don’t want to pay more than what the property is worth. Purchasing a property, the process of moving into it and everything that can come after is expensive, and you don’t want to add any unnecessary costs. A property valuation will give you a clear indication of the property worth. It will help you save a bucket load in long term mortgage repayments. 

Moving will always be a hassle; however, remembering these little things can help save you time and (more importantly) money. Being as organised as you can be will be your saving grace and remember to label everything. The rest will fall into place. Happy moving!