How To Prepare for Your Move: 10 Tips & a Move-Out Checklist

Oh, the stress of moving homes. Don't get us wrong- it's really exciting to start fresh in a new place! Yet, uprooting your entire life from one home to another is no easy feat. 

What is easy is how quickly things get forgotten or missed throughout the moving process. We don't want that happening to you. 🥺️

That's why we've set out to curate a move-out checklist. We'll be talking about how to plan your move and key tips you should try out. With the help of these, your move should be as seamless as possible! 

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Tip 1: Hire a moving truck or company early on

Moving trucks can be a hassle to find if you're trying to get one last minute. 

These plans need to be arranged well in advance as movers or moving trucks are limited during busy times. This especially rings true during the summer months, weekends, and holidays. 

For example, college cities get tons of students moving in September and May. As such, booking movers during this time is pretty hard. The prices also skyrocket if you book late. 

Moving is already stressful in itself. Give yourself that peace of mind by checking this item off your list!

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Tip 2: Budget your move

If you’re moving out for the first time, this tip is especially helpful. Overlooking moving costs is a common occurrence that you don’t want to miss.

The prepared people will have saved the boxes of the packages they received over the year. The even luckier ones are able to move with just a regular car. 

Now, the less lucky will have to budget for moving trucks or movers. And we can’t forget to buy those packing supplies! People always think they have enough duct tape until they don't. 😂

All these costs can rack up, yet, are easily forgotten.

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Tip 3: Organize your move by room or category

This is an important one if you’re wondering what to do when moving out of an apartment. 

I think we can all say we've left packing to the last minute at least once in our life. Items get thrown into random boxes as you tell yourself you'll figure it all out later. ✌️Then you get to your new home and realize you don't know where anything is. 

Packing your items by room or category will be a HUGE help. It seems really straightforward, and we agree- it is! Keep your books together in a box and kitchen utensils tucked away in another. 

We also recommend starting your packing journey early. Of course, you won't be able to stuff your tableware in boxes weeks in advance. Yet, you can go little by little! Start with less-used items! 😁

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Tip 4: Pack an essentials box 

Make it a top priority to pack an essentials box. In the craze of moving, the last thing you'll want to do is to have to rummage through boxes for your PJs. 

Focus on putting toiletries, a change of clothes, linens, and some tableware in your box. Also, don't forget to pack your daily medication or supplements! 

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Tip 5: Clean as you pack

As the day gets closer, you'll want to start getting your apartment ready for move-out. No one wants you to lose your security deposit! 😆

Take the time to clean little by little. As you pack items, instantly clean that area. 

This tip is especially useful for the bathroom and kitchen, which have more items that need to be cleaned. 

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Tip 6: Decorative items should be packed in advance

Most art pieces and decorative items hold a special place in our hearts. Then why not give them that extra love and care in the packing process? It would be a shame to see something break while hectically moving. 

Start by bubble-wrapping these pieces. You should also take the time to snuggly pack them in boxes. Since most of the items are decorations, and not in constant use, packing them early on isn't an issue! 👍

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Tip 7: Sell your unwanted items 

In the day and age of online shopping, it's easier than ever to sell your gently used items! 

Online marketplaces like Craigslist and Facebook are great platforms to sell your things. It allows you to get rid of those unwanted or no longer used pieces. The best part is that it's a great way to get extra cash! 

Not to mention this is super useful for bigger items like furniture. You don't want to lug around a cabinet if you're not planning on keeping it. 

Also, these marketplaces are great alternatives to buying brand-new items. It's affordable and most things are usually in very good condition. It's more environmentally friendly too! 

I was able to find a solid bed frame on Facebook Marketplace for $130. I had previously scoured the internet for a new bed frame and couldn't find anything decent for under $300. I ended up picking up this bed and it was pretty much brand spanking new! It was one of my best purchases to date (especially because that college life didn't give me much room to spend). 

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Tip 8: Declutter and downsize 

We know that moving is a tedious task. But, if we're trying to look on the bright side, it's the perfect opportunity to get rid of your junk! 

Take this time to get rid of all the clothes that have been sitting in the back of your closet, unworn (we've all been there). 😅 

You don't even have to throw out these items. Make a donation and a 'to sell' pile. You can use Poshmark, Facebook, or Depop to sell your clothes! 

This will not only downsize the amount of stuff you have to move (less work)! It'll also give you that sense of a fresh start. However, the biggest bonus is that you finally get rid of your unused items.

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Tip 9: Dispose of your garbage correctly

So, what do you do with your trash when you move out? Hopefully, you don't have mountains of trash to dispose of. But if you do, that's okay! 

It'll be the same old process of recycling and throwing out garbage. If you have very large garbage, you may have to dispose of it directly into your building's garbage bins. 

For bulkier furniture items, we would recommend consulting with your landlord. You don't want to get penalized for leaving furniture laying around! 

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Tip 10: Keep your unit tidy for viewings 

This won't apply to everyone. However, your landlord may ask you to let prospective tenants view the rental unit the month before you're due to move out. 

Your landlord won't make you clean your apartment, but it's definitely common courtesy that you do so. Just keep it neat and tidy.

Additionally, you may want to stay in their good graces since they're the ones in charge of giving your security deposit back. 😆

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Moving out checklist for tenants

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TL;DR 

Let's recap what was said throughout this article. Firstly, if you need a moving truck, be certain to book those well in advance. You should also remember to budget for the extra costs of moving (trucks or supplies). Pack an essentials box (things you'll need the first night in your new place). Meanwhile, pack all your other items by room or category. You'll hit two birds with one stone if you declutter your belongings and clean as you go. Stow away fragile and decorative items in advance. And lastly, sell or donate any unused items. Moving is the perfect opportunity to downsize and get a little extra cash on the side! 🙌

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Conclusion

And with that, we conclude this article. We hope you enjoyed the tips in our move-out checklist! 🎉

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Lighthouse is here to change the rental market. We give cash back on newly signed leases. Our team of experts (called Lightkeepers) also helps you find just the right rental home! You can check us out here. 😊