There are a plethora of reasons why you may have to sell your house quickly and during the chaos that’s to come, you don’t want anything to be overlooked. You can save yourself from a whole lot of unnecessary worrying by having a plan.
We’ve asked some of the best Kansas City, MO realtors for their top tips that’ll help streamline your move to Kansas City.
1. Start packing early
Word to the wise – pack as early as possible!
You don’t want to wait until the last minute to start packing because it’s only going to be super stressful and unorganized. Ideally, you’ll want to start packing at least 30 days before the big day. We recommend starting with rooms and closets that get used the least and then saving your everyday essentials (clothes, toiletries, cooking supplies, etc.) for the final days leading to moving day.
2. Have a garage sale
This is the perfect opportunity to go through all of your belongings and get rid of what you no longer need or use and make a few extra bucks! Then after the yard sale, you can take whatever else is left over and donate it to your local Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, or even church or homeless shelter.
3. Change your address
It’s a good idea to submit your change of address form to the USPS at least one to two weeks before you’re set to move. It should give the postal service enough time to enter the change in the system, but it’ll also give you enough time to change your address with the state (drivers license, car and voter registration), credit card companies, banks, and so on.
4. Transfer utilities
If you have a paper bill, make sure the final bill for any utilities are sent to your new mailing address. Sometimes you can simply have your utilities transferred to your new address without any interruption of service. However, if you’re moving from out of state, your real estate agent should be able to offer some assistance in getting your utilities turned on at the new place.
5. Make sure to do a final walk through before closing
Prior to closing, you’ll have the chance to go through your new house before closing. You do not want to skip this! During the final walk through, you’ll want to make sure everything is as it should be. If the contract says the appliances are included, you’ll want to make sure they are there. If the contract says certain repairs will be made, you’ll want to check for those as well.
6a. Have a moving inventory
As you’re getting ready to load up the moving truck, have an inventory of what is being moved. You can label your boxes by room and jot down the contents of the box. You can keep track of your belongings when you’re loading and unloading the truck by using a master checklist.
6b. Hire a reputable moving company
If you aren’t going to move your belongings on your own, you’re going to want to make sure you’re hiring a reputable moving company. You will want to look at online reviews or ask your real estate agent for recommendations.
7. Have a game plan for unpacking
Some people find unpacking just as tedious as packing – especially if you have a lot of stuff! You can make the unpacking process a little less overwhelming by having a plan. If the boxes have been labeled prior to being loaded in the van, make sure the boxes go into the appropriate room when they’re being taken off the fan. This will help keep everything a little more organized and moving smoothly.
Most Importantly: Breathe!
Moving to a new house is as exciting as it is overwhelming – especially if you’re moving to a new city. However, you can mitigate some of the stress associated with moving by having a plan and taking things step by step. If you feel overwhelmed, take a step back and breathe.
We hope that these tips will make your move to Kansas City, MO a positive experience. If you have any questions or concerns about moving to a new neighborhood, don’t be afraid to ask your real estate agent for advice or recommendations. Remember, a top-rated agent will be your best friend throughout this entire experience!