To help organize things to run as smoothly as possible, read on for tips on organizing the best possible moving day. So you have bought the house that will accommodate all your needs, now it is just a matter of moving your family and all your things. Believe it or not, simply transporting belongings you’ve had 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 come to mind is informing everyone from businesses, 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 deal with paying utility bills for your old property or not getting your mail once you’re ready to settle 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 your landlord in advance to collect your deposit and return the keys. Leases can contain all sorts of fees and penalties that are easy to forget, so make sure this process is done.

Ask your real estate agent to pick up the keys to your new home before you pack up and move in. This advice may seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised how off track people can get with something as important as moving their family. Imagine all the trucks with your stuff arriving, getting ready to unload everything and not being able to leave it anywhere safe.

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

Creating a general inventory is a must when transporting every ounce of personal property you own. Involving all members of the family in this process makes it much faster than you think. Also, specific family members are likely to put more effort into organizing and keeping track of their things.

The packing stage should start at least two weeks before it is time to leave. As long as it’s a group effort and a good chunk is 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 things you no longer need, there is no better opportunity than this. Collect all the clothes and items you can live without and donate them. As for your perishables and other food items, empty out your fridge a week in advance and be sure to unplug it when you’re done.

Moving day will undoubtedly be exciting for everyone, but it doesn’t have to be hectic. Plan ahead and take your time and it will work out in the best possible way. Also don’t forget about 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. Take everything in steps and stick to a schedule and it will be a smooth transition.