Whether you are buying or selling a home in Knoxville, the one thing that is certain is that you will soon be moving! Moving to a new home is one of the most stressful life events that we go through. In fact, in recent studies, it has ranked as more stressful than getting a divorce! This primarily comes down to the number of small details involved in moving after buying or selling a home in Knoxville. If you want to minimize the stress of moving, you need to ensure you are fully prepared. With that in mind, here is our checklist for getting ready to move after buying or selling a home in Knoxville.

Two Months Before Moving Day

One of the biggest mistakes people tend to make when buying or selling a home in Knoxville is leaving it too late to start preparing for moving day! If you want things to run smoothly, start getting ready two or even three months before your moving date. Here are some of the tasks you can cross off your list in the early stages of moving prep.

• Transfer Medical Records & Prescriptions - If you are moving to a new area, especially out of state, you will need to find a new doctor and a new pharmacy. It can take time to get your records transferred, so it is a good idea to talk to your current providers about forwarding your records about two months before the big move.
• Study The Floor Plan - One of the exciting things about buying or selling a home in Knoxville is decorating and organizing your new space! Start studying your new home's floor plans and consider where your existing furniture will fit. This will also help determine what you need to remove or replace.
• Schedule Repairs & Maintenance - If you need to paint or carry out minor repairs, it is a good idea to do this before you move all of your belongings in. Start booking your trades in advance to avoid stress around moving day.
• Book Vacation Time - You will likely want some time off both before and after moving, so be sure to clear this at work well in advance.
• Change Your Address - Start filling out change of address forms and arranging announcement cards for friends and family.
• Budget For Moving Costs - Start looking around for quotes from movers and plan your moving day budget, including packing supplies like boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap! Depending on how far you are moving, movers could be fairly expensive.

One Month Before Moving Day

As the big day draws closer, you can begin to get into the main tasks, like packing up your belongings. Here are the tasks that should get underway around a month before you move.

• Make an Inventory of Belongings - If you want to ensure nothing is lost or broken during the move, it is a good idea to inventory your belongings. It is your personal preference whether you write it down or document it with photos!
• Downsize & Declutter - While you are taking inventory, it is a great time to work on downsizing and decluttering before you move! Moving costs are based partly on how much you need to be moved, so there is little point in taking items you won't use or that don't fit in the new place with you!
• Book Your Movers - If you haven't already done so, it is time to book your movers. Shop around for the best prices, but also consider recommendations to make sure you choose a reliable provider.
• Gather All Documents - Start collecting all of the necessary paperwork that will be needed in your new home, including insurance documents and manuals for your appliances. Have them in one folder that you can carry with you on moving day.
• Start Packing - It's time to start packing. You can start with out-of-season items and the things you don't use frequently. It is a good idea to color code the tape on your boxes so you know which room each one belongs to! Always take care not to over-stuff the boxes; otherwise, they will be too heavy to lift comfortably.

Two Weeks Before Moving Day

• Continue Packing - As you get closer to moving day, continue packing up your belongings, leaving out only the essential things you use daily.
• Arrange Trash Disposal - Moving can create a lot of trash, especially if you are decluttering as you pack. Make sure to book a dumpster or a trash pickup from your local waste provider.
• Arrange Parking For Moving Truck(s) - Moving trucks are large and need room to park! Make sure you arrange parking for the truck at both ends. This may involve talking to your neighbors or homeowners association, and you may need to put out cones to reserve the space required.

Moving Week Is Here!

As you enter the week of the big move, it's time to start tying up most loose ends on your checklist!

• Make Arrangements For Pets - We already know moving is stressful for humans, so think about the impact on your pets! Book them into a kennel or have them stay with a friend or family member to keep them safe while you move.
• Pack a Night One Box - It's unlikely that you will be unpacking every single box on the first night in your new home, so it is a good idea to pack a box of essentials for night one! This should include snacks, mugs or cups, paper plates, toothbrushes, a change of clothing, clean bedsheets, bathroom essentials, and towels. Label the box clearly so you can grab it easily!
• Confirm Everything - Take some time to confirm all of your plans. Check in with the movers, confirm with friends and family what time you need them if they are helping out, and make sure utilities are going to be switched on!
• Defrost Fridges & Freezers - It can take a few days to fully defrost fridges and freezers to prep them for moving, so don't leave it until the last minute!

It's Moving Day!

Once the big day rolls around, if you have been following this checklist, everything will be more or less ready to go! All that remains is to pack it all into the moving truck and say goodbye to your old home! This is the most exciting day when buying or selling a home in Knoxville, and it is easy to feel overwhelmed. By ensuring you are fully prepared, you can enjoy settling into your new home and making new family memories!

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Wright Realty is a full-service real estate concierge with a wholistic approach to buying and selling property in East Tennessee. We are your trusted advisor and keep open communication throughout your entire buying/selling process. Real Estate done "Wright" means more than just a 'transaction'.

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Visit www.realtydonewright.com or call 865-556-8599