Moving can be an overwhelming process; though, the thought of successfully settling down in a new place serves as the motivation behind the myriad of tasks involved. One major task is packing, which is a crucial aspect of any move. Knowing when and how to start packing can help tremendously, alleviating the stress of the entire moving process.

Before diving into the packing process, it is essential to plan and sort through your belongings. This way, you can decide which items to pack and which ones to discard or donate, which will indeed save both time and space. To ensure a smooth moving experience, it is recommended to begin packing only after specific contract contingencies have cleared, as presented in this guide on when to start packing to move out once you’re under contract.

Once you have organized and sorted your belongings, the packing process can commence. It is critical to pack strategically and efficiently, ensuring that you have a systematic and organized way of transporting your possessions from one location to another.

Key Takeaways From When To Start Packing

• Decide when to start packing based on contract contingencies
• Plan and sort belongings before starting the packing process
• Organize and strategize during packing for a smoother moving experience
• For Sellers, begin post-contingency removal, loan approval, and confirmed closing date for a secure transition.

Before Packing: Planning and Sorting

Moving can be a stressful process, but with some careful planning and organization, it can be made easier. In this section, we will discuss how to plan and sort your belongings before you start packing.

Determining What to Keep, Donate, or Recycle

One of the first things you’ll want to do before packing is sorting through your belongings. This step involves deciding what items you want to keep, what can be donated, and what needs to be recycled. Start by going through each room in your home and create three piles: one for items to keep, another for items to donate, and a last one for items to recycle.

Keep: This includes items that you regularly use, have sentimental value, or will need in your new home.
Donate: Consider donating items in good condition that you no longer need or use. This is also an excellent way to declutter your living space.
Recycle: Dispose of broken or unusable items responsibly by recycling them whenever possible.

While sorting, keep in mind the Best Time to Pack & Move to ensure a smoother process.

Setting Deadlines and Creating a Checklist

Another crucial step in the planning process is setting deadlines and creating a checklist. Having a solid plan in place will not only help you stay organized but also prevent procrastination and last-minute stress.

To stay on track, consider the following tips:

1. Set deadlines for each task to be accomplished. This may include sorting, packing, hiring movers or renting a moving vehicle, and updating your address.

2. Create a checklist to keep an overview of what needs to be done. Be sure to prioritize tasks based on what’s most important (e.g., packing essentials and important documents) and time-sensitive.

Task	Deadline
Sort belongings	4 weeks before
Start packing	3 weeks before
Hire movers	2 weeks before
Change address	1 week before

Staying on top of your deadlines and checklists will help the packing and moving process run more smoothly, while ensuring you have enough time to complete each task efficiently.

The Packing Process

Gathering Packing Materials and Boxes

Before diving into the packing process, it’s essential to gather all the necessary moving supplies. Some common moving items include:

• Moving boxes (consider used boxes to save money)
• Packing tape
• Bubble wrap
• Packing paper
• Scissors or box cutters
• Furniture covers
• Labels and markers

Friends or local stores might have spare boxes, which can help cut down on expenses. Keep in mind, different sized boxes serve various purposes. For example, small ones work well for books and toiletries, while larger boxes are great for bedding and clothes.

Room-by-Room Packing Approach

It might seem overwhelming, but taking a room-by-room approach can make packing more manageable. Start with rooms or closets that are less frequently used, such as guest bedrooms or the garage. Additionally, categorizing boxes by room can free up space on the moving truck when it’s time to load up.

Here’s a suggested packing order to ease the process:

1. Garage or storage areas
2. Guest bedrooms
3. Living room and dining room
4. Office or library
5. Kitchen and bathroom
6. Master bedrooms and closets

Packing Fragile Items and Electronics

To ensure fragile items and electronics arrive safely at the new destination, be extra cautious during packing:

• Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap or packing paper.
• Fill boxes with breakables to reduce any excess space and reduce the chance of damage.
• Use packing tape to secure electronic cords and label them to match their corresponding devices.
• Consider using their original boxes or specialty boxes for electronics, especially for TVs and monitors.

Furniture and Large Items

Whether hiring professional movers or doing it alone, dealing with furniture and other large items for moving can be challenging. Here are some tips:

• Disassemble what you can to reduce space on the moving truck.
• Use furniture covers and padding to protect from scratches and damage.
• Ensure tools are readily available to reassemble items in the new home.
• Group essentials, such as bedding, in a separate box for easy access on the first night.

With these practical suggestions, the packing process becomes more organized and less stressful, ultimately resulting in a smoother transition to the new home.

For Sellers, When To Start Packing Comes With Anxieties

For home sellers, the period leading up to the closing of a house sale is often filled with uncertainty, especially when it comes to timing the move out of their current residence. It is crucial to understand the closing process to determine when it is safe to assume the house will close and when to begin moving preparations.

The Importance of Contingency Removals

Most real estate contracts include contingencies that must be met before the sale can be finalized. These contingencies are conditions that both the buyer and seller agree upon and may include a home inspection, appraisal, and financing. Once all contingencies have been satisfactorily removed, the likelihood of closing increases significantly.

Monitoring the Buyer’s Loan Approval

A critical step in the closing process is the buyer’s loan approval. As a seller, staying in communication with the buyer’s agent about the status of the mortgage approval is essential. Once the buyer has secured final loan approval, the chances of the sale falling through are much lower, and you can begin to prepare for the move with greater confidence.

Awaiting the Clear to Close

The ‘clear to close’ is a lender’s official communication that all loan conditions have been met, and the loan funds are ready to be disbursed. This is a significant milestone in the closing process, as it means the financial aspects of the deal are complete, and the closing date can be scheduled.

Final Walk-Through Considerations

Typically, the buyer will perform a final walk-through of the property shortly before the closing date. This is their opportunity to ensure the home is in the agreed-upon condition. It’s important for sellers to be prepared for this step, as any issues that arise during the final walk-through could potentially delay the closing.

Setting a Realistic Moving Timeline

Given the complexities of the closing process, it is wise for sellers to set a moving timeline that allows for some flexibility. Even after a clear to close has been issued, unexpected delays can occur. It’s prudent to plan for moving activities to begin only after a firm closing date has been scheduled or even a few days after closing to accommodate any last-minute changes.

Communicating with Your Moving Company

When scheduling your move with a moving company, make sure to discuss your situation and the potential for date changes. Some moving companies may offer flexible scheduling options for clients who are selling their homes, understanding that the real estate closing process can be unpredictable.

Final Thoughts for Sellers

For home sellers, the decision of when to start packing and planning the move is best made after the buyer’s contingencies have been removed, the final loan approval has been secured, and a closing date has been set. While it is tempting to jump into moving preparations as soon as an offer is accepted, patience and flexibility are key to a stress-free transition. By carefully monitoring each step of the closing process and maintaining open communication with all parties involved, sellers can make informed decisions about when to begin their move.