Georgia Real Estate Voice

Getting Ready to Move? Get Organized First

If you are selling your Decatur GA home or plan to move within a year, get organized. It matters because the less you have to move, the better. Most of us have more stuff than we'll ever need.

First things first, if you haven't finished unpacking from the last time you moved, you really need to think about why you're taking that box with you again. Clear it out, sell it, donate it, just don't move it to your new home if you never use it or even bothered to unpack it. I was talking to a client who bought a home with me almost a year ago. She said that she was still unpacking! I figure that if I haven't needed it or bothered to unpack it in a year, I probably don't need it. (I'm excluding things like tax returns here.)

Some tips: 

Linen closets: If yours are overflowing, clear it out. It will make your home show better too. I have a dear great aunt, she told me years ago that she only had 1 set of bed sheets, which was completely opposite of my mom, who had a ton of sheets. Aunt Dot said that way, she never had to fold them or store them. Wash them and put them back on the bed. I love that idea and have summer sheets and my winter flannel sheets. It doesn't take up much space.

Bedroom closets: A friend of mine just moved. She was feeling overwhelmed and I went over to her new house to see what we could do. We went through every item in her closet and cleared out 3 big bags of clothes that she doesn't wear. It's my own version of the TV show "what not to wear". That stuff should have never been moved to the new house to begin with. Go through your closets, If you don't love it, don't move it.

Kitchen: If you haven't used it in 18 months, you probably won't use it. I went through one of my kitchen drawers the other day and found a bunch of utensils and tools that I have never used and probably never will. The same went for that bread machine that took up so much room in my pantry. Thanks to Craigslist, it was gone in 2 days and I had a little extra cash in my pocket.

Home Office: Use your shredder, if you don't have one yet. It's time to invest in a good cross cut shredder. That's the kind that makes little confetti pieces as opposed to just long strips. Start with one drawer at a time. Paper clutter seems to overwhelm a lot of people. Pick up that piece of paper and ask yourself why you have it. Make a decision, shred,  file, or to do. 15 minutes a day conquering paper clutter can go a long way.

Bathrooms:  Start to use up those lotions and hair products before buying more. Someone told me recently that she moved 5 boxes of hair products to her new place. What??? It's a lot cheaper and easier to go through and organize your products so you don't keep buying what you already have. Get rid of the stuff you will never use. Don't move it to your new home, clear it out first.

Whether you are moving now or in the future or just want to live an organized life, these tips will hopefully help. Plan for just 15 minutes a day and see what a difference it makes.

 If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in or around Decatur, GA contact local Decatur expert and Realtor Jen Bowman, Broker Associate & e-PRO with Success Realty at 404-456-5024.

View more of the Georgia Real Estate Voice.  Search Decatur GA homes for Sale

See My Series of Getting Your Home Ready to Sell: 

See Part 1 of Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in Decatur GA - Kitchens

See Part 2 of Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in Decatur GA-  Garage 

See Part 3 of Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in Decautur GA- Curb Appeal

See Part 4 of Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in Decatur GA- Floors and Walls

See Part 5 of Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in Decatur GA- De-Personalizing  

See Part 6 of Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in Decatur GA- Lighting

See Part 7 of Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in Decatur GA- Clutter

Getting Ready to List Your Home for Sale 

Get Ready to Move  Moving Tips 

Here are some basic tips to help make your move a smooth one.  

If you need moving boxes, check out free resources like Craigslist.com and FreeCycle, a yahoo group.

Number your moving boxes.  You don't need to write on the box everything that‘s in there, for security it's better that you don't.  Keep a list. I like using a notebook. Next to #1 write down the contents and the room it belongs in. When you get to your destination you'll know which boxes you'll need to open first. This also helps if you end up needing something you've already packed before you move. You'll know exactly where it is. 

If you're hiring a mover, make sure they are legitimate and insured. The Georgia Public Service Commission has a list of legal movers.

Go to www.USPS.com to change your address.

Make of list of the people or companies that you need to contact for your change of address. This is where the notebook comes in handy again. The easy way to do this is to start writing down where your mail comes from for about 30 days. Think magazines, credit cards, favorite charities, financial statements, insurance, banks, utilities, phones, etc. Once you've contacted them, most can be done online, check it off your list.  Do not rely on the post office to forward your important mail. Mistakes happen and you may not get it. 

Contact your insurer to get your home owners insurance and make sure you have it in effect the day of closing. If you are renting, get renter's insurance. Don't know who to call? See if your auto insurance does home owner's or Renter's, if not, ask for referrals from friends, family or your Real Estate agent. Remember, a higher deductible can lower your premium.

Pack an overnight bag for the first night you'll be in your new home, yes even for a move down the street. That way at the end of your exhausted day, you'll know where your toothbrush and pajamas are.  

If you have children, pack a "busy bag".  Again, even for a short move across town. Have games or coloring books in it to help keep them occupied. Favorite comfort items are a good idea here. 

Set up your utilities. Water, Electric, Gas, Phone, Internet. If you are choosing a Gas provider, check out the Georgia Public Service Commission's site to compare the different providers, look at price per therm and monthly customer service fee. http://www.psc.state.ga.us/gas/pricecard.asp

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in and around Atlanta, GA, contact Jen Bowman, Realtor and Broker Associate with Success Realty. www.JenBowman.com 404-456-5024
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