8 Tips for a Less Stressful Move

There are many emotions often associated with moving into a new home. The excitement of starting the next chapter of your journey, the nostalgia of leaving behind your old space and neighborhood, the sense of accomplishment in finding your dream home and more. There is one emotion that usually makes its way to the list when it comes to moving: stress. Homes by Taber wants your move to be an overwhelmingly positive experience, so in addition to the processes we have in place to ensure a smooth, stress-free transition, we’ve compiled a list of foolproof ways to alleviate some of the anxiety and stress that come along with moving into a new home.

#1 - Schedule Help ASAP

If you’re a do-it-yourself-er, there’s a chance you think you can handle a big move all on your own. If you’re moving from a one-bedroom apartment into your first home, that’s one thing—but moving multiple rooms of furniture and years of belongings, even if it’s only a short distance away, can put unneeded stress on both your mind and body. 

Homes by Taber is proud to have never missed a scheduled closing date due to construction timelines, even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on materials and appliance availability. So be sure to book your preferred moving company or enlist family and friends as soon as possible. You will be glad to have extra sets of hands and professionals that have the equipment and training to lift and move heavy items. 

#2 - Customize a To-Do List

To-do lists are one of the most helpful tools in the day-to-day lives of many people, and moving is the perfect opportunity to use one to your advantage. Once you know a move is in your future, jot down everything you can think of that will need to get done. From booking a deep clean of your current place once you move out to forwarding your mail to the new address, having everything in one place will keep your mind from agonizing over a missed detail. 

#3 - Declutter Early On

There’s nothing worse than taking the time, effort and space to move items that no longer serve you and your family. Long before the move, go room-by-room throughout your current place to gather any old, unwanted or unnecessary items. Separate the items into three categories: donate, sell or trash. For some people, this might only take the weekend—but if you’re moving from a larger home or one you’ve lived in for a long time, be prepared for multiple days worth of work. Don’t forget to request a receipt for donated items to help with your tax returns at the end of the year.

Although this part of the process will also evoke some emotions, just know that decluttering your home is key to reducing stress during your move. Plus, with less items to move, you could save hundreds of dollars with your moving company. 

#4 - Create a Packing Plan

A packing plan helps organize your efforts and ensure each room gets packed at the right time. We suggest starting with the rooms you use least, or can afford to miss out on for a few weeks—guest bedrooms, guest bathrooms, media rooms, etc. are a great place to start. Once the moving date gets closer, your home office may have to move into the kitchen or bedroom to keep your packing plan on schedule. Beds and bathroom essentials would of course be the last to pack, with those items being easily accessible and the first to unpack in the new home.

#5 - Label Your Boxes

While labeling your moving boxes might seem like a no-brainer, you’re probably not doing it in the most efficient way. Instead of labeling just the contents of the box (like “toiletries”, “kitchen stuff” or “photo albums”, for example), write the room the content of the box will go in at your new home. Additionally, add details for a few items on the box so it will be easier to find exactly what you’re looking for after moving in. 

That packing plan we mentioned before will come in handy with this, as well. If one room of your current home serves as a guest bedroom, home office and home gym—but you’ll have space for separate rooms in your new place—be sure to label the boxes as such.  

Labeling the boxes this way will allow the moving company or your helpers to know exactly where the box belongs without constantly asking you throughout the day. If the boxes are placed in the correct spaces, you will have significantly less legwork to do later.

#6 - Keep Important Documents in Mind

Packing and labeling most of your personal belongings is ideal for a smooth transition and stress-free move, but there are a few things best left out of the cardboard boxes. Store the important paperwork, like housing documents, passports, insurance papers, car titles and birth certificates in a sturdy file folder. Keep them close to you during the packing process, and ensure those documents make the journey to your new home by car instead of moving trucks. 

#7 - Pack an “Overnight” Bag

Have you ever finished a long day of moving into a new place, ready to unwind, only to realize you can’t find any of your daily necessities? In a frenzy to keep things organized, you packed away your toothbrush, pajamas, medicine and phone chargers in a bunch of different boxes—which are now spread throughout the house. Avoid this by having each member of your family pack an “overnight” bag, which will house all of the essentials they’ll need for a day or two after the move. Changes of clothes, toiletries, chargers, electronics can all be squeezed into a bag. 

One parent can also have the responsibility of packing a cooler or large tote full of provisions like water bottles, trail mix, granola bars, instant coffee and any other snacks your family can enjoy before an inaugural grocery trip. 

#8 - Get to Know Your New Surroundings  

One of the most exciting parts of moving to a new home is immersing yourself in a brand new environment, both inside the home and around it. Homes by Taber builds communities in the most sought-after locations in Oklahoma, with plenty of attractions and amenities within reach. Before your move, it’s best to do a bit of research on the area and figure out what will work into your family’s lifestyle. Find which grocery stores, pharmacies, gyms and walking trails are in close proximity and keep a note of them for future reference. 

For a less stressful move, it’s best to be prepared and organized for as much time as possible leading up to the big day. Another way to ease the stress of moving to a new home is working with Homes by Taber, a trusted local builder with over 20 years of experience helping families find the perfect home and community for them. Backed by our Proudly Overbuilt promise and high expectations for quality, value and safety, homeowners can rest assured that the new-construction home they’re moving into was built well above industry standards. 

Browse our thoughtfully designed floor plans and check out the new-construction communities open now or coming soon in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metropolitan areas. For more information, fill out an online form or give us a call at (405) 984-1185.