No one likes packing, but if you are moving out of a home and into a new home, you will need to do it. At Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices we recommend that when you are selling your home and buying a new home, you start by packing one room at a time. Today we are going over some of the options for packing up your living and dining rooms.
Begin with Trash
The easiest way to start is to throw away the garbage and recycle the trash. You do not need to take magazines with you. Old bills that have been paid can be shredded. If you pick something up and are on the fence about keeping it or throwing it away, there is a good chance the right answer is to throw it away.
Get Color-Coded Bins
The bin method is a lifesaver in these situations. You want to use one color for each family member. When you come across something that belongs to one of them, put it in their bin to take care of. This prevents you from having to take care of everyone else’s belongings when you are already trying to pack up your own things.
Trust Your Instincts on Sentimental Items
One of the hardest parts about packing is often deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. You might have many items that bring back memories of your home. Take one or two, but remember that you want to create new memories in your new home. If you have heirlooms, take the ones you love and cherish, but if others are just sitting in cabinets, consider handing them down to the next generation.
Label Everything
Once you have gotten rid of what you are not keeping, filtered out items that belong to other family members, and decided which sentimental items you are keeping, you should be left with just the things you want to take with you. As you start packing, remember that labeling is the most important step. When you get to your new home, you never know how long it will be until you can unpack everything. Being able to look at a label on a box to instantly see what is in it can be a huge time saver.
Remember That the Process Can Be Fun
The truth is that moving from one home to another can be fun, if you will let it. You are getting ready to make new memories, to enjoy a new home, and to decide how to arrange your new space. Enjoy this special time and make it work for you.