For A Smooth Move

Do you want to make your next move as seamless as possible without unnecessary stress? Try these moving tips offered by the folks at Piestewa Peak Properties.

Making the decision to move was the hard part. You've picked a city, notified the relatives, and found a new apartment or home in your new neighborhood. Are you ready to box up everything you own--all the possessions that mean "home" to you and your family--and ship them to another part of town, the state or another country? With the proper planning and preparation, you can make your next move a smooth one. Use this check list as a type of "countdown" to your next big move.

Six Weeks Before Your Move

Take an objective look at what you own, and decide what must go and what can be left behind.

Books you've read and will never read again? Records you haven't listened to since college? The pan with a broken handle or the children's long-neglected games? Extra weight costs more money.

If you have a lot of things worth selling, you may want to organize a garage sale. Start a central file for all of the details on your move. It's a good idea to buy a brightly colored organizer folder with pockets - you'll be less likely to misplace it. Make sure to collect receipts for moving-related expenses. Depending on your reason for moving, you may be entitled to a tax deduction.

Create a floor plan of your new home, and begin thinking about where you'll want to place furniture. Advance planning eases the stress of making major decisions when your furniture arrives at your new home. Mark and label specific pieces of furniture on your diagram, and put it in your moving folder.