Month: June 2020

Each year, over 40 million Americans pack up and move into a new home.

Though many Americans are doing their reading on an electronic device these days, many people still prefer the real pages of a book. As a result, you might have accumulated a lot of books over the years. Now it’s time to pack them up for your upcoming move. 

It’s essential to strategically organize and pack your books to make the move easier. 

Here are several tips on how to pack your boxes of favorite books. 

Packing Tips for Your Books

Packing your books shouldn’t cause you stress. Here are some book-packing tips for an easier move. 

1. Cull Through Your Library

Moving is the perfect time to downsize the number of books on your shelves. 

Start the book-packing process a month or two before your move. Look through your book collection and see if there are some books you can part with. Make a few passes at it to make sure you get everything.

Drop those books off at Goodwill or see if your local library accepts book donations.

2. Gather Small, Sturdy Boxes 

Select small but sturdy boxes for packing your heavy books. Save the larger boxes for moving blankets, pillows, and lighter weight stuff. 

Invest in book boxes with handles to make them easier to lift. 

3. Pack Heaviest Books on the Bottom

There are a few different ways to pack each book box to make moving easier. Start by lining the bottom of the box with packing paper. Place the heaviest books on the bottom. 

Grouping the books by size makes them easier to place in the box while you pack.

Another way to pack up your books is to line the inside perimeter of the box with the larger hard covered books. Then, put the smaller, softer books in the middle. This helps them stay secure.  

4. Watch the Weight

Keep in mind that the weight of books adds up fast when packing. Pack the bigger books at the bottom of the box with the spines alternating up and down.

You can also keep your book boxes lighter by putting fewer books in and packing lighter items like stuffed animals, hand towels, or clothes in between and on top to help keep the books secure. Now the boxes are lighter, and the books won’t shift as much.

5. Use Packing Tape for Reinforcement

Be sure to use plenty of heavy-duty packing tape. Place a few reinforcement pieces of tape on the bottom to be sure the box can handle the load. 

6. Be Creative About Packing Books

When you are packing stacks of books, you don’t have to pack them in a box. Try packing them in a small, sturdy suitcase on wheels.

Sturdy, reusable grocery bags with handles may be another option. These bags tend to be smaller than boxes, so the weight of the books is more manageable. 

Get Packing

Now that you know the best way to pack books for moving, it’s time to call in the professionals to help you with your move. Click here to head over to our contact page.

We’re here to answer any questions you may have about boxing up your valued possessions in preparation for your big move. We’ll help you relocate.

Home sizes, and prices, have skyrocketed over the years, leaving many retirees with more ‘house’ than they need.

Downsizing is one of the best ways to reach financial goals later in life. Here are five downsizing tips to help you make the transition into a smaller home. 

1. Enlist Family Support

When downsizing a large home, it’s important to start the decluttering process early. Ask family members for help sorting old items and furniture you no longer want.

Family heirlooms won’t need to be donated if a close relative will take them instead. Giving away belongings to your family will help you through the emotional part of the downsizing process.

Knowing your possessions will go to people you love can help you find peace in letting go. 

2. Hire an Agent

Once you’ve decluttered your space, set up a meeting with a real estate agent in your area. One of the best ways to find a reliable agent is by asking friends and family for referrals. 

Friends or neighbors who recently downsized will have leads on attentive real estate agents who understand your specific needs. Another way to find a real estate agent is to connect with a relocation specialist.

These professionals can refer you to realtors in your area and potentially help you navigate the relocation process if you’re moving to a new state.

If possible, choose a realtor with a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SERS) certification to help you sell your home. These realtors are experienced in working with older clients and are more likely to be sensitive to your need to downsize. 

3. Schedule Charity Pickups

Once you’ve given away important items to your family, you can work with your realtor to decide which furniture will work best for staging. Any items that don’t help market your home can be taken to storage or donated to charity.

Many charities offer a pickup service for furniture. Call to confirm available dates well in advance of needing pickup.

Charity organizations’ resources are usually limited, which can mean waiting weeks before they have the availability to pickup your items. 

4. Stage Your Home

Staging your home is an essential part of the sales process. Experienced realtors can share insight into making your home look attractive to potential buyers.

This process usually won’t require major changes to the design of your home. Instead, staging removes anything that could distract a buyer from seeing the best features of your home. 

Less is more with home staging because it allows the home’s architecture to speak for itself. Minor repairs, like a fresh coat of paint or trimming the hedges, might also be needed to make your home look more attractive. 

5. Schedule Your Move

The final step in the downsizing process is finding quality movers. Schedule your movers to transport your remaining furniture and items to your new home.

Pack items separately in an essentials box that you will need right away after the move. These are items like toiletries and medication that shouldn’t be inaccessible in case the movers arrive later than you do. 

The Best Downsizing Tips

Downsizing tips help you navigate the emotional process of leaving behind your home and many of your belongings. After years of use, it’s not uncommon to feel bittersweet after giving away your favorite furniture or dishes.

But the money you’ll save with lower housing costs means having access to new experiences that will soon surpass the old ones. For more information on preparing for your move, visit our blog for updates.