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.

How to Move Into An Apartment For The First Time

Moving into your first apartment comes with a bag of mixed feelings: You’re excited to get started on a new adventure, but it can also feel overwhelming, as it comes with a new set of challenges and responsibilities.

From finding the right apartment to rent to signing a lease and furnishing your new living space, there are a lot of things you will need to consider in order to make your move a success. It’s a big step into the unknown, but when you’re armed with the right information, you can make your move feel like a breeze.

Here are some tips to help turn your move into a breeze:

1. Make savings

Moving always costs a lot more than you originally anticipated. Start your moving budget by finding out how much you actually can spend on rent. Make sure you have enough money to cover the first and the last month’s rent at least and renter’s insurance.

Other fees could crop up, such as an application fee and a pet deposit if you have a pet. Additionally, there could be other costs associated with your lease, such as parking or storage fees.

You will also need extra cash to cover the moving costs, utilities, and other living expenses. Finally, stay prepared for anything that could happen outside your control with an emergency fund. Always have that extra cash for a rainy day ready.

2. Find the right location

Before you decide on the ideal apartment, find the ideal location. You might want to consider proximity to your workplace and other spots you need to get to on a daily basis.

Also, think about your potential commute and whether you will use your car or public transportations — traffic patterns and availability of public transport should count heavily when you decide which area you will be living in.

Consider access to local businesses, grocery stores, and entertainment venues to ensure you get access to everything you need.

If you choose to live in a smaller apartment to save on rent, you might want to add self-storage to your budget. It’s a convenient way to keep bulky and seasonal items out of your space without cluttering your living space.

Most people rent a 10×10 unit, but if you’re just moving into your first apartment, you could probably fit your things into a 5×5 unit.

3. Tour several properties to find “the one”

Once you decided on a neighborhood, shop around for the ideal apartment in the area. When touring an apartment, look at the overall condition, making sure there are no signs of water damage or property damage such as leaking faucets, dirty carpeting, and others.

Security is equally important: does the building have a security system and fire alarms? If you decide to rent the apartment, keep records of the property’s pre-existing conditions — take pictures and make videos in case you need evidence of the initial state of the apartment when you try to claim the deposit back at the end of the lease.

4. Pay attention to the fine print of the lease

Now that you found the apartment of your dreams — or close to it, anyway — find out all the rules that come with signing a lease. Pay attention to the section discussing maintenance and rules regarding visitors.

Pet policies are also significant sections of your lease as you might want to bring your best furry friend with you to your new home.

Make sure you have a good open line of communication with the landlord once you get settled in. Having a great relationship with the landlord will make for a much more pleasant living arrangement.

5. Pick the right roommates

You may or may not have had roommates previously, but living with other people can come with various pros. You can split the rent and bills and enjoy each other’s company. It sounds like an ideal situation, so it’s important to discuss their job schedule, personal habits, and their situation before signing a lease.

Go through each detail of your apartment life, from creating a chore schedule to personal pet peeves. You could write up a roommate agreement — not a legally binding document — that you can think of as a set of rules helping you navigate the intricacies of sharing your new living space. This will help you avoid ending up in an unpleasant situation in the future.

6. Buy apartment essentials

You will need a bunch of things to get your new life started. But where to start? Begin with the basics. Make a list of what you think you’re going to need and the space your apartment comes with before you shop.

Before you think about decorations, you will most likely need a good place to sleep, so investing in a bed and nice bedding seems like a great place to start. You will also need furniture — think of smaller pieces if your apartment is already small.

A smaller couch, a nightstand, a table with chairs are just some of the apartment essentials you will need. Buy the basic kitchen tools that include pots and pans and strainers; leave fancy juicers for later.

You will most likely need to keep the space clean, so getting a good handle on cleaning supplies will help you enjoy your apartment so much more.

7. Change your address and set up utilities

Moving can be overwhelming, especially when you’re getting settled into your first apartment. Remember to change your address in order to have your mail delivered to your new address.

It’s a swift process and can be done online on USPS’s website. Don’t forget to notify your internet provider and your other utility companies (gas, water, electric) of your move to ensure service is set up by the time you move.

8. Be smart about packing

Start your move before you actually move. Get packing supplies and make lists with your belongings and even label boxes as you pack. This way, you can keep track of your belongings, and it will be easier to unpack once you’re at your new apartment.

Don’t pack towels separately — instead, use them to pad the packing boxes. It would be a good idea to have a few blankets for wrapping larger or sensitive items such as the TV. Wrap the blanket around the item and use tape to secure it.

If you need to disassemble any devices, take pictures beforehand to ease the assembly in the new place. Place small nails and pieces belonging to furniture in sandwich bags so you can easily find them when it’s time to reassemble them again.

9. Get ready to move in

Once your lease is signed, schedule your move-in day. You might think that you don’t have many things to move, but you’re better off prepared. Start by renting a moving truck and even ask friends to help you. Now you’re ready to move and start a new chapter of your life!

Final Thoughts

Moving into your first apartment is a big step in one’s life. Practice being patient so you end up making the right decision. Rushing is only going to increase the potential for mistakes.

Hopefully, you have enjoyed the tips for moving into your first apartment!