Site Content

---

Make Your Relocation Easier

Let's face it; moving day is no picnic! Packing and moving is never easy, whether you're moving to the other side of town or across the country. Use this essential checklist to help make your move to Holland, Michigan as seamless and stress-free as possible!

Don't wait until the last minute! Start packing and planning as soon as possible to alleviate some of the stress.

Organize and declutter:

Start one room at a time and begin to organize and declutter. Set aside anything that can be donated, sold, or thrown away. The less stuff you have, the less you'll have to pack!

Lighten the load:

Host a yard sale to get rid of any unwanted clothing, furniture, or decor. You can also consider donating any shoes or clothing that are in good condition.

Change your address:

It usually takes a few weeks for the post office to process your change of address and start forwarding your mail, so request it at least two weeks before the move.

• Reinforce: Use sturdy, reinforced boxes. And don't be afraid to get friendly with bubble wrap and other packing material for fragile items.
• Innovate: Pack dishes, bowls, plates, and other glass objects vertically, rather than flat and stacked. For extra padding, pack glasses and stemware inside socks.
• Pack small: Pack heavier items in smaller boxes so they're easier to carry.
• Prevent leaks: Remove the tops and cover the openings of soaps, shampoos, and lotions with cling wrap, then twist the caps back on. You can also use cling wrap around dresser drawers or jewelry displays to keep them intact, or around the furniture to prevent scratches.
• Prepare: Create an "Open Me First" box containing personal items that you will need immediately, such as toilet paper, soap, instant coffee, tools and box cutters, and paper dishes. Make sure it's one of the first things off the moving truck.
• Label, label, label! There's nothing worse than trying to unpack a disorganized mess! Make the transition to your new home seamless by carefully organizing and labeling boxes by room so you'll know just where to put them in your new house. (Even better - color code!)
• 
  

It's not just the packing that's overwhelming - moving day itself can be very stressful if you're not prepared. Here are some tips for a low-stress moving day.

Keep important info:

Don't pack your most important essentials and emergency prep items - like first aid supplies, medication, financial records, medical records, IDs, and other important documentation or high-value items. Always keep them with you.

Take an overnight bag:

If you make it home before the moving truck, make sure you're prepared with things like a change of clothes, your toiletries, and a phone charger.

Have phone numbers handy:

Keep your moving foreman's content information with you in case you need to contact your movers for any reason. It's also handy to have your Bill of Loading and shipment registration number with you.

Clean first:

It's much easier to deep-clean your bathrooms and kitchen before they're loaded down with all your stuff (or before you're too tired to clean!). Clean first, unpack second.

Unpack by room:

Make the seemingly endless process smaller by breaking it down into several smaller projects, and do them in order of importance.

Enjoy your new home!

Don't forget to smile... Your new life in your new place just began. Welcome home.

If you're ready to find the perfect home in Holland, Michigan or you have any questions about buying a home or real estate in Holland, Michigan, then it's time to contact Kate Maryon. We're your local guide to all things Holland, Michigan and we're more than happy to help! Want to learn more about buying a home in Holland, Michigan? We've got plenty of resources to help you out!