How to Move During The Summer Post Covid-19

Are you going to be moving this summer? Whether you are moving from a small apartment or a large home you will want to be well prepared.

Moving to a new place is stressful enough during the best of times, but here are some tips that’ll help make moving this summer post-COVID a little easier.

COVID-19 has thrown our lives in chaos, but the vaccine rollout gives people more confidence to go out there and live their lives. People are getting vaccinated and are going out to see friends and family.

Folks are making plans to go on a vacation. Life is slowly returning to normal, and we’re starting to look forward to the future and are making plans accordingly.

This includes packing up and moving to a new home, be it in the suburbs, a large city, small rural towns, or anywhere in between (although 62% of real estate agents who took part in HomeLight’s Q1 2021 survey say supercities in warmer climates are likely to see an increased number of buyers).

The trick about moving in a world post-COVID is knowing how to do so safely because only 31% of Americans are fully vaccinated (one-third of adults have at least received their first) so far.

Today, we want to share our top five tips on how to move this summer Post-COVID so you can do so safely and efficiently.

Tip #1: Plan ahead and make reservations early

When you need to sell your home quickly, you may not have the time to plan ahead. However, if you know you’re going to be moving in advance, it’s always a good idea to have a game plan.

Make reservations with the moving company (or UHaul if you’re renting a moving truck) as soon as you can.

If you’re moving far away, ask the real estate agent you’re working with when would be the best time to make arrangements.

Also, make sure you have enough money to cover moving costs. Summertime is the most popular time of year to move, and weekends and popular weeks go quickly and are more expensive.

We recommend setting aside enough money to cover the possibility of higher rental fees for vans and handcarts (they aren’t always included with the van rental).

You’ll also want to consider investing in moving insurance if you’re hiring a moving company. This insurance will give you compensation if the moving company loses or damages any of your belongings.

Tip #2: Pack electronics separately

This should go without saying, but always pack your electronics separately and protect them with bubble wrap. You don’t want that expensive flat-screen television to get damaged.

The same goes for computers, laptops, camera equipment, radios, and so forth. Oh, and don’t forget to collect all of your chargers, plugs, and whatnot! You can keep them organized by labeling each cord with some masking tape or something similar.

Tip #3: Mix light and heavy objects in the same box

You’d be surprised how many people will load heavy items all in one box. Things like books, records, movies, and even kitchen items can get pretty heavy when you pack them into the same box. Instead of doing this, spread the items out.

Put a few heavy items in the bottom of a box and then put lighter objects on top. It’ll distribute the weight, so you’re not lifting something that’s too heavy to handle comfortably.

Also, you might think that you can save money by using garbage bags for clothes, towels, and bedding, but you’d be surprised by how heavy these items can get!

When you use garbage bags, you run the risk of the bag breaking due to the weight, whereas you can reinforce a cardboard box with duct tape.

Bonus tip: You can go to any store and ask if they have any boxes with handles that you could have. You could also use the UHaul Exchange, which is a message board that lets people ask others if they have any boxes or moving supplies they could give.

UHaul also offers other programs such as the Armed Forces Connection and College Connection which customers can use to save money by sharing rides, storage units, or rental trucks. It’s a great program for those who are looking to move on a budget!

Tip #4: Declutter as you pack

When you’re selling your current home and moving to a new one, a good rule of thumb is to carefully go through all of your belongings and throw out (or donate) the items you don’t need. This is the chance to finally thin out your closet, get rid of toys the kids don’t play with, or those ugly knickknacks your in-laws keep giving you at Christmas!

If you have a lot of stuff, you may want to consider decluttering and packing things at the start of your house hunting adventure. Not only will you be able to take your time to go through things and sort what you do and don’t want, but you can also pack up items that you don’t need right away and put them in storage until you’re ready to move.

Yes, renting a storage unit is an added expense, but if you pack up long before you get to closing, you’ll find the whole moving process will be a lot smoother because you’ll have less to do!

Tip# 5: Keep essential items with you until the day of the move

Although you’ll want to pack your belongings in the weeks leading up to your big move, remember to keep your essential items unpacked. You don’t want to root around through all of your boxes to find your curling iron or the kid’s favorite toy!

It’s a good idea to keep a box or two empty, so when the day finally comes to move into your new home, you can toss them in the box and go about your merry way.

The last items you should pack up on moving day may include:

• Two or three outfits
• Pajamas and undergarments
• Toiletries
• Grooming tools
• A couple of towels and washcloths
• Chargers for your phone
• First aid kit
• Medications, glasses, contacts, and contact solution
• Disposable plates and cutlery
• Pet supplies
• Bedding
• Simple tools like hammer, screwdriver, flashlight, and scissors

Moving into a new house is exciting, to be sure, but it can be just as stressful when you throw in the social distancing guidelines. However, these tips should be able to make the move a little less stressful and more organized.

About the author: The above article on how to move during the summer post-Covid-19 was written by Maddi Arcurio. Maddi works for Homelight and enjoys writing on all things about real estate to help buyers and sellers make the wisest decisions possible.