Pack
If you've got the money for it and have tried to do a complete job of purging, hiring professionals is not a bad way to go. But if you are like some folks and are on a bit of a budget and fighting with corralling everything to box, doing it yourself might be a practical choice. Professional packers will pack everything in sight—they're not there to clean or to judge, packers go in and get the task accomplished. If something is in view, it will get wrapped and placed in a box. However, if you foresee packing yourself, get your moving supplies together – boxes, tape guns and newsprint and commence boxing as you purge.
This is a method that performs well for quite a few people, as you can multitask by putting the stuff you're moving in a box and be done with it, at the same time you are tossing things out and creating your donate/sell piles. If you begin well ahead of moving day and allocate a couple of hours every day for decluttering and boxing, you should make enough progress that you are able to manage the last few days without an anxiety attack.
Start with closets, chests, and cabinets, since that's where many people collect the items they don't even recollect that they have. Save the attic, basement, and garage for weekends when you've got the rest of the family to lend a hand--let it be known that old frisbees and car parts only get boxed up if the owner is present to plead for their survival. Dedicate a space in the garage for donations; some non-profits will send a truck to pick up your donated items and if it is all together that makes the pickup much easier.
If you are absolutely anxiety-ridden at the thought of sorting through everything in your residence, ponder employing an estate liquidation company. They'll come in, help you purge, and then, they can auction furniture, appliances, toys, whatever you want them to. Belongings that don’t make the sale cut are donated or pitched. If you're packing for your move yourself, there are companies you can hire that will come to your house and haul away your trash for a charge, or by the truckload, if you've got a bunch of stuff.
Pay
Paying for move is one thing that most people do not account for in the costs of the new home, although it might be as costly as your closing costs. Unless you have got an employer who is coordinating your move for you, you must be aware what costs you are going to take on with a move.
Have a discussion with several professional movers to get an idea of what you'll pay for a full-service move versus one where you pack yourself and have the trucks come load, drive, and unload, and weigh that to what it would cost to fully do it yourself and just rent a moving truck. If you opt to do your own packing, check out the cost of supplies--boxes, tape, padding, and moving blankets are just the beginning. When you're calculating the cost, do not forget the time it will require to do your own packing and loading, and the equipment and knowledge you'll need for hefty or bulky furniture. If you have antiques, a piano, or a large swing set, can you move them without incident--what will your homeowner’s insurance cover in case you break an antique clock? Movers are more expensive, but they're insured, have the proper equipment and expertise, and are less likely to run into the wall while maneuvering the couch out the door than you.
Moving to a new house and creating a new life is appealing and can be a good experience for your whole family. Managing the three P’s of your move – purge, pack and pay -- by moving only the stuff you really use and love – allowing time for packing for your move -- and budgeting for the process -- will go a long way towards making those great expectations a reality.
