Moving Tips for North Shore Buyers & Sellers

Once you sell, buy or both in the North Shore real estate market, it’s an exciting feeling of accomplishment! Unfortunately, the stress of moving can get in the way of your celebration. As your North Shore real estate agent, I am here to share some moving tips with you, so you can plan ahead and make the process as least stressful as possible!

Plan ahead in twos – Moving experts recommend that you think in terms of twos before moving. Start planning your move two months beforehand, and start packing two weeks before. This isn’t always possible, as you don’t know when exactly you will sell or buy, but start planning early.

Make a timeline – Create a timeline for yourself, such as packing up one room each week, or packing up items you know you won’t need before the move, or at least decluttering and getting rid of items you don’t want to move with. Consider hosting a yard sale or donating.

Follow a checklist – There are a lot of things to keep in mind, so don’t try to remember them all without a checklist. Write down what needs to happen before or right after the move, such as hiring a moving company, cancelling or changing utility services, changing mailing address, changing locks, scheduling cable and internet installation, etc. These are all things you’ll want to do quickly.

Treat moving like a marathon – Don’t leave everything last minute like a sprint. Start early and take your time, going through each room, starting with small tasks, getting rid of anything you no longer need, packaging everything to keep it safe, and marking all the boxes clearly with what is in them and which room they belong in.

Plan for the new space – Once you know where you’ll be moving, study the floor plan and square footage of each room, to determine if your current furniture will fit in the rooms and through the doorways. If something won’t fit, there’s no use in bringing it. If something needs to be taken apart to fit, that is something you can do ahead of time.

Contact moving company – Spend time reading reviews and asking for recommendations on a moving company, so you find one that is trustworthy and reliable. Check in two weeks ahead to confirm what time they are showing up on moving day, and check again the day before. Find out what you are responsible for doing ahead of time.

Pack a suitcase – You don’t want to feel rushed and anxious about unpacking, or lost without your essentials in your new home. Pack a suitcase with all of the things you will need your first few days in the new home, such as clothes for a few days, sheets and pillows, toiletries, medications, etc.

Good luck with the move! If you still need to sell and/or buy in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, and other North Shore communities, I am here to help! Contact me, your North Shore real estate agent, for help accomplishing your real estate goals this summer!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website

Local Expert... with National Connections!

Moving Tips for North Shore Buyers and Sellers

Whether you plan on selling, buying or both on Chicago’s North Shore this winter season, you have a big move ahead of you! Allow me to fill you in on some expert moving tips, so you can plan ahead and be better prepared. The more prepared you are, the easier it will be to transition into your new living space!

1.  Declutter. There is no point in traveling with clutter that you no longer need or use, so first, go through each room and remove anything you could live without. This could be kitchen appliances you never use, clothes you haven’t worn in years, old books, etc. This is especially important if you’re selling your North Shore home, as this is an important step in the home-selling process!

2.  Sell items. If you’re having a hard time parting with some of your stuff, and it has monetary value, don’t just throw it all out! It’s not a good time of year for a garage sale, but if you’ve got time, try selling it online. You can post on Facebook, Craigslist, eBay and so on. You could also donate items, recycle, and toss what is left.

3.  Plan ahead. If you know you have a move ahead of you, start collecting boxes, tools and packing material. If you receive any orders from Amazon, break down the boxes and store them. Stock up on tape, permanent markers to mark the boxes with, and newspaper and bubble wrap for breakable items. If there are items you could start packing ahead of time that you don't need right now, such as summer gear, get that over with early.

4.  Plan for move-out day. Pack room by room while labeling boxes as you go. Write what is in the box and which room it goes in. When unpacking boxes at the new home, place each box in its designated room right away. Leave out anything you’ll need within the first day or two, and pack that in a suitcase you’ll bring with you into your new home.

5.  Pack appropriately. Experts recommend wrapping delicate items with plastic sheets and then bubble wrap, and packing them into boxes so they can’t move around. Wrap plastic sheets around furniture to protect them during the move. Mark fragile boxes so movers know to be extra careful. If very fragile or important, bring with you in your own vehicle.

6.  Keep yourself safe. If you can dismantle furniture and large items, do so to make packing easier and safer for you. Avoid carrying and lifting heavy objects when possible. Keep screws and little pieces in clear Ziploc bags, marked so you don’t lose any important items. Hire movers to help you out if you’ve got a lot of heavy, big stuff!

When ready to achieve your North Shore real estate market goals in Glencoe,Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette,Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, or other North Shore communities, give me a call!

I look forward to guiding your through the home-selling and/or home-buying process, so you can comfortably settle down in your new home this winter!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website

Local Expert... with National Connections!