Moving Made Manageable

1.  Streamline Your Stuff

This is the time to eliminate junk. In each room, decide which items can be donated or trashed. Check your garbage utility website for bulk collection days and get rid of old furniture and other large items you don’t use.

Consider donating clothes, housewares, and furniture. This type of donation is tax-deductible, so you can benefit financially and help others at the same time. Some charities will even come to pick up donations, so check their websites to make your life easier. Some of our favorites include: Goodwill, Power Of , your local Women’s Shelter or church.

2. Throw a Packing Party
If you have family and friends who don’t mind helping out, order some pizzas and have a packing party. This is a particularly great idea when you need to pack out the garage or take down years of stuff from your attic. You can save yourself days of work and turn a hard-to-manage chore into a fun afternoon.

3. Don’t Break the Bank on Boxes
Moving boxes can be pricey. Instead of paying $1 or more for the tons of boxes you’ll need, you can find strong, sturdy used boxes at a variety of places. Craigslist is a great place to start. Liquor stores and bookstores also have boxes that can hold heavy contents and often are happy to let you come pick some up after they receive new inventory. And remember to reuse those boxes when you finish your move by donating them, either to others or the recycling spot in your area.

4. Get Multiple Bids

Whether you are using professional movers or are renting a moving truck from U-Haul  or another company, be sure you shop around. Check out this list for trustworthy companies: Consumer Advocate’s Top Ten Moving Companies List.  Also consider whether you can find the muscle to move on your own or if paying the movers is worth the money.

Questions you’ll want to ask a professional moving company include:

• Are you licensed?
• What kind of liability insurance do you carry?
• Will you provide a binding quote or a not-to-exceed estimate?
• How do I contact the driver during the move?
• Are there any potential charges I’m not already aware of? What additional moving supplies will I be paying for?
• What is your cancellation policy

5. Size Matters

Keep in mind that the amount of stuff you are trying to move will dictate the cost of the move. Go back and streamline your stuff further if the quotes seem too high. You can look up the average cost of moving in your area for your specific home size with this handy calculator.

If you are selling your home and would like a cash offer immediately, check out Zvestors.net. We take care of all your moving expenses and you can close in a matter of weeks with no fees, inspection costs, or renovations needed.

Zvestors buys homes in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Learn more and request an offer on your property at www.zvestors.net. To sell your home right away, contact a ZVestors agent at 703-259-0570.