What are the most common moving problems, and how can you avoid them? This article will help you have a seamless move.
Buying a new property and moving into your new home is exciting.
It can also be terrifying!
There is a lot to do: packing bags, finding help (or hiring a trustworthy mover), unloading boxes, and locating all your items. With so many moving parts (pun intended!), it can be easy for something to go wrong.
Here are some of the most common moving problems, as well as simple steps you can take to prevent these issues from ruining your moving day.
9 Common Moving Problems and Simple Steps to Prevent Them
1. Not Packed When People Arrive to Help
When helpers come to your house to help you move, most expect to simply be lifting boxes, placing them in a car, truck, or trailer, and unloading them at the new location. They certainly don’t (in most cases) expect to actually help you pack your belongings.
How to Prevent This Problem:
Preventing this problem is easy: start early. As soon as you know you are moving, whether in a week or six months, you should start packing away your belongings. Begin with the non-essential items like seasonal clothing, decorations, and books to gain a head start on your packing. Then when people arrive, your move will be more efficient and your helpers will be much happier!
2. Cleaning the Old Home Takes Much Longer Than Expected
You arrive at your new home only to find dust, dirt, trash, and cobwebs. It’s generally expected (although not legally required) that the former resident will clean the home before you move in, but it doesn’t always happen.
How to Prevent This Problem:
Before moving into your new home, it’s a good idea to clean the space thoroughly. After all, because the house is empty you’ll never have an easier opportunity to clean the space. But it always helps to make sure the real estate agent working on the transaction tells the sellers that you expect a clean home. Honestly, sometimes people simply forget that it’s a common courtesy.
3. Furniture Doesn’t Fit Through Door
It’s not uncommon for a couch or table to simply not fit through the doors or around corners. You try every possible angle, but it simply won’t fit!
How to Prevent This Problem:
It got inside somehow, so it must be able to fit outside. If this happens, it’s usually because the furniture was assembled inside, which means you’ll have to de-assemble to make it fit. Sometimes simply taking a leg off a couch can provide the space you need.
4. Items are Damaged in Transportation
Whether you are moving yourself or hiring a professional, accidents happen. Boxes are rattled and dropped during transportation, and furniture may not be secured safely. Unfortunately, many items are lost during even the shortest moves.
How to Prevent This Problem:
Wrapping items in bubble wrap can shield valuables from harm. You also want to make sure that furniture is secured with straps and ropes to keep it from falling during your move.
5. You Can’t Find Items You “Just Know” You Packed
No matter how hard you try, moving is hectic and fast-paced. Even with the best planning, there is still a risk that items will become lost. Fortunately, most items are not lost, they’re simply buried in a pile of boxes.
How to Prevent This Problem:
Losing a child’s favorite toy or a precious family heirloom can be devastating, but there are steps you can take to prevent this problem. Labeling is probably your best tool. By labeling boxes properly, you can increase your chances of finding the most important items.
6. Time is Not On Your Side
When moving day comes and you have to be out of the house in eight hours, it can cause panic. If you are in a hurry and quickly running out of time, it increases the chances of a lost item or broken furniture.
How to Prevent This Problem:
Again, starting early is crucial. You shouldn’t spend the day packing; that should have been done a week ago. You shouldn’t take hours to purchase cleaning supplies; these should have been bought yesterday. Start some of the prep work early and you’ll have more time (and less stress) on moving day.
7. Pet Problems
Pets can be difficult to handle when it’s time to move. They can get in the way of movers, and people (especially strangers) moving all through the house can cause anxiety to excitable cats and dogs. Pets can also try to run out an open door, making an already-challenging process even more complicated.
How to Prevent This Problem:
Get pets out of the way on moving day. Either move them to a lockable kennel, shut them in a separate room, or have someone take your pets for the day.
8. Can’t Get in the Building or House
Everything is packed away and loaded onto trucks and trailers. You make the drive to your new home; excitement is high as you anticipate setting up furniture, hanging art, and finding the perfect spot for your favorite sculpture. But then you can’t get in the house. Your key doesn’t work or the passcode for your building is not working. Whatever the reason, it’s frustrating.
How to Prevent This Problem:
Getting access to the house before moving is a good solution. Instead of leaving access up to someone else, make it your responsibility. Don’t meet the real estate agent or former owner on moving day to get the key; get the key before you arrive. Test your access a day or two before to prevent this frustrating scenario.
9. Objects Can’t Fit in New House
Earlier, we discussed not being able to get furniture out. Now we’re talking a not being able to get furniture in. The couch or table may be too large, leaving you stuck with outdoor furniture that is not meant for the outdoors.
How to Prevent This Problem::
If at all possible, go to the property and measure the doors and access points. Think about all of your large furniture, then look over the house for tight angles and tricky stairways. This is especially important if you are buying an older home, which often have smaller hallways and tighter angles.
Make Your Purchase Easier with Common-Sense Mortgage Underwriting
Sorry, beyond these tips we can’t make your move any easier. But we can provide fast and convenient financing for your next purchase! With common-sense mortgage underwriting, we can at least eliminate stress from one part of your move.
