CHAPTER SEVEN
Worksheets for Moving
Temporary Storage
Plan ahead and reserve storage containers, storage
units, and/or moving trucks. Service providers such
as Pods.com will allow you to pack a storage container
that will be left in your current residential driveway
for a period of time. They will then move it to your new residence. See Pods.com for more details.
You can also use other temporary storage. If you need to remove some items from your home for showings and
do not want a storage container in your driveway, check your area for temporary storage. You can place items
you will not need right way off-site to move later. Your home will be less cluttered for showings and your moving
day will be focused on the more important items. Be sure to get more than one estimate.
Moving Companies
The movers you hire need to be reliable, careful, and ready to work. Read online reviews for content rather than
rely only on ratings. Did the company’s customers state they were on time and worked diligently? Will you be
billed by the hour or the job? You will likely be billed for travel time starting from when the workers leave with
a truck to your home until they return to the company.
Moving Supplies
Check your local retailers and on the internet for the best prices on all of your moving supplies.
Reusing boxes is a cost effective option, but may lead to more problems. You might be moving unseen bugs
into your home. You may not want to use boxes from a grocery store or donation center. However, some local
retailers may be a safe source of free shipping boxes.
• Shirts
• Pants
• Shoes
• Socks
• Undergarments
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Hair spray
• Hair dryer
• Make-up
• Deodorant
• Toilet paper
• Tooth brush
• Toothpaste
• Cell phone
• Cell phone charger
• Personal electronic devices
• Medications
• Vitamins
• Towels
• Soap
Your pets may be very stressed during a move. If daycare is an
option, it might be best for you and your pets if they spend the
day playing. Be sure to photograph them in their favorite places
before you move.
• Work documents
• Work supplies
• School work
• School supplies
• Important papers
• Valueables, jewelry
• Pet leashes
• Pet bowls
• Pet food
• Pet medications
Packing for You & Your Family
Before you begin packing for your move, think about the items you use daily and set those items aside. Pack a
suitcase for each family member, including pets, as if you are going on a five day vacation. You will have
countless boxes stacked all over your new home and you will be tired and frustrated. If you place clothing and
personal items in a suitcase in your personal vehicle, you will be able to get dressed and care for pets until
things are put away in your new home. You can use the Vacation Worksheet on page 37 for a more comprehensive list. However, this is a list items you will want to have packed:
SHOPPING LIST
• Boxes
• Bubble wrap
• Packing paper
• Packing tape
• Packing tape dispenser
• Home Depot
• Lowes
• U Haul
• Moving companies
• Walmart
• Amazon.com
• Office supply stores
• Local retailers
• Scissors
• Sharpies
• Color-coded
moving label stickers
• Fragile stickers
SUPPLIERS
Staging Your Home
The goal of staging your home is to make your home more
attractive to potential buyers. If you have more potential
buyers interested, you may receive more and possibly
higher offers. Staging your home before an open house or
showing helps potential buyers see themselves living in
your home. Also consider staging your home for listing
photographs.
Since your online home listing includes photographs, it will
be obvious if your home has been well cared for or
neglected. If buyers need to spend time and money on
countless updates, they may not attend a showing. If your
home is well maintained but cluttered, you may lose
potential buyers as well.
When you are looking at homes, what stands out to you?
Does it feel like home?
Staging cont.
HELPFUL DIY TIPS TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION
OUTDOOR APPEARANCE: Your home’s first impression is either the front of your house or an online listing.
Potential buyers may drive by listings before they decide to go to showings. Trim shrubs, weed, edge, mulch
beds, mow the lawn, edge paved areas, plant annuals, and remove debris. Power wash the house, deck and
paved areas if needed. Add new pillows to outdoor seating to add interest.
FOYER: This area is important since it will provide the first impression of your home’s interior. Is it warm,
inviting, clean? Does it smell clean and fresh? Avoid heavy air fresheners.
KITCHEN: Kitchens are all about storage and workspace. Try to avoid having small appliances and kitchen
utensils on the counters. It makes the room look cluttered. It also conveys the storage is inadequate.
CLOSETS: Too many items in a closet can make it look small and inefficient. Store out-of-season clothing and
other items that are rarely used in storage instead of adding additional shelves to closets.
BEDROOMS: New paint and bedding can give bedrooms a fresh, clean, appearance.
BATHROOMS: Bathrooms can look noticeably out of date. Painting cabinets and replacing dated hardware is
relatively inexpensive. Also consider painting the walls. You could also replace the light fixture or just replace
the light globes. Don’t forget to update old switch plates. Choose neutral colors. Beige is easy for most people
to live with until they can make it their own. Add new towels and new soap dispensers. Full bathroom remodels
are very expensive and may deter potential buyers. Try to make your bathrooms look fresh without a huge
investment.
STORAGE: If you need to add basement shelving, consider heavy-grade plastic shelving kits that can be easily
torn down. They are lightweight, easy to move and store when not in use. These units are a great inexpensive
investment and can be found online and at home improvement centers.
BEST FEATURE: Every home is unique. Is there a specific area inside or outside your home that sets it apart?
Is it memorable in a good way? Can you make it a featured area by adding decor?
HOME IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE RECORDS: A 3-ring binder including receipts and work
orders can be shown to realtors and/or given to the new homeowner if you do not need the records. Simply
insert receipts and work orders of completed updates into sheet protectors. Potential buyers will see that you
have invested in the property and taken good care of it.
RE-DESIGN ROOM LAYOUTS: Use the Room Planning Worksheet if your room layouts need revisited.
Crowded and empty rooms do not show as well.
