To help organize things to run as smoothly as possible, read on for tips on how to organize the best moving day possible. So you have bought the house that will suit all your needs, now it is just a matter of relocating your family and all your things. Believe it or not, simply hauling belongings you’ve owned for years can be even more stressful than buying a new home.

When the idea of ​​moving comes up, most people immediately think of a bunch of cardboard boxes. Something that may not immediately occur to you is informing everyone in business, government utilities, your bank, and the post office of your impending new address and contact information. It’s a great idea to take care of all of this a month in advance. You definitely don’t want to have to pay your old property’s utility bills or not receive your mail after you’re ready to move into your new home. With all the hustle and bustle of packing, labeling, loading and unloading, this step is easy to forget.

If you are leaving an apartment, be sure to contact the owner in advance to collect your deposit and return the keys. Leases can contain all kinds of fees and penalties that are easy to forget, so make sure this process is resolved.

Have your real estate agent collect the keys to your new home before packing everything up and moving in. This advice may sound like common sense, but you might be surprised how people can get distracted by something as big as relocating their family. Imagine all the trucks with their things stopped, preparing to unload everything and without being able to leave it in any safe place.

In the event that your move is far away, to another region of the country, for example, be sure to schedule hotel reservations in advance.

Creating a general inventory is a must when transporting every ounce of personal property you own. Involving all family members in this process makes it much faster than you might think. Also, specific family members will likely go the extra mile to organize and keep track of your things.

The packing stage should begin at least two weeks before it is time to leave. As long as it’s a group effort and a good chunk gets done each day, you’ll progress smoothly and efficiently. Also, label all the boxes as you see fit. This will come in handy later, as you won’t have to open everything to locate specific items.

In terms of getting rid of the things you no longer need, there is no greater opportunity than this. Collect all the clothes and items you can live without and donate them. As for your perishable foods and other foods, empty your refrigerator a week in advance and be sure to unplug it when you’re done.

Moving day is sure to be exciting for everyone, but it doesn’t have to be hectic. Plan ahead and take your time and it will run in the best possible way. Also don’t forget about your friends and family during all of this. Many of them are willing to help. Lastly, appliances may be cheaper to buy later rather than transporting the ones you currently have. Do everything step by step and stick to a schedule and it will be a smooth transition.