Moving to a new home is exciting, especially when the move is part of embarking on a new journey, like starting a new job or making the leap from renting to homeownership. Home sales may have slowed amid social distancing and COVID-19, but there are many reasons one would still be moving to a new house during these times. Even under normal circumstances, moving is ranked as one of the ten most stressful life events and we’re here to help!

We interviewed Rosalind Tantalo, a professional organizer and co-owner of Simply Home Downsizing, for her advice to help make your next big move an easier one.

Home Trust (HT): What tips do you provide your clients with when helping them prepare for a move?

Simply Home Downsizing (SHD): We start with a floor plan of the new home if one is available. Measuring existing furniture and laying it out on the floor plan helps homeowners decide what will and will not work in their new space before they’re trying to squeeze it all in on moving day. With advance planning, items that won’t fit in the new home can be offered to friends or family or, for more valuable items, there is an opportunity to list them for sale on an auction platform like Max Sold.

HT: How far in advance do you recommend starting to prepare for a move?

SHD: The further in advance you can start preparing to move, the better. Generally, we recommend starting about two months before moving day to allow enough time to thoughtfully consider what really belongs in the new space. There is nothing worse than packing something up, paying to move it, unpacking it, and *then* throwing it out. Plus, getting an early start can help to keep moving costs down as there is more time to take trips to donation facilities yourself or arrange for a donation pickup, rather than paying for a service to take care of disposing of these items on your behalf.

Note: During the period of physical distancing due to COVID-19, some donation facilities are temporarily closed. Please check before making plans to donate unneeded items.

HT: That brings up an interesting point! How else can people planning a move keep their costs down, assuming they haven’t hired a service to manage it for them?

SHD: As mentioned previously, starting early is the best way to save money while moving. Moving companies generally charge by the hour, and rental trucks charge based on the size of the truck and the length of the rental. It’s always better to pare down the move well before moving day to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

One thing we have seen recently as a way to save on moving costs is renting hard plastic moving boxes. This may not be an option with the current concerns about virus transmission, but even if it is, it’s worthwhile to think practically before renting boxes for a move. From an environmental point of view, we love this practice! However, this is only a cost-effective measure if the plan is to empty the boxes right away after moving. If you want to take your time to unpack and settle in, the extra cost of an extended rental for the boxes may result in it costing more than expected.

HT: Do you see any other new trends as people prepare for a move?

SHD: We’re seeing more people who are planning a move simplify the process by engaging the services of professionals. Those who have lived in their home for a while, are often surprised by how much stuff they have accumulated over the years. The thought of packing it all up and moving it somewhere else is overwhelming for many people, but they are learning that they don’t have to do it all themselves. There is an entire industry built around helping people move and it’s helping to alleviate a lot of stress.

Your personal financial situation will affect some of the decisions you make when it comes to moving, especially during the current mandated period of social distancing. Visit our website to learn more about what we’re doing to help those who have been financially affected by COVID-19.

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