Suggestions to Help Ease Your Moving Experience

Moving can be a hassle at the best of times. But not being prepared for your move can turn your experience into a major headache! Ensure a smooth move by planning ahead: Organize, prioritize and categorize your tasks.

Packing
Buy sturdy boxes from your moving company or local packing store, get them free from your supermarket, or save boxes at the office (e.g., copy-paper cartons, shipping boxes) – and have friends do the same. Old newspapers make great packing material - as do bed linens and towels (hey, you're moving them anyway; might as well make them work for you).

Pack systematically, one room at a time. List each box's contents as you go. Put heavy things in first, lighter things on top. Tape boxes securely; assign each a unique number (copy these onto your inventory list) to facilitate unpacking. Books are heavy; packed them in small boxes. Indicate whether boxes contain fragile items.

Clearly mark each box's destination (e.g., kitchen, master bath), to simplify unloading. It's so much less stressful when the movers aren't constantly asking, "Hey, Lady, where's this go?"

Leave clothing in dresser drawers, but remove any breakable items (perfume bottles, porcelain trinket boxes, etc.) Move personal and/or valuable items (e.g., jewelry, family photos, important documents) yourself.

Federal regulations prohibit movers from transporting hazardous goods (e.g., nail-polish remover, aerosol containers, loaded firearms).

Pack a separate box with the "essentials" (toiletries, pet supplies, disposable dinnerware, cleaning supplies, tools, flashlight, batteries, alarm clocks, etc.) you'll need while you're still unpacking. Carry it with you – or ensure it gets loaded last/unloaded first.

Obtain your registration number from the moving company. Give the movers your cell-phone or email information, to stay in touch, especially on long moves.

Handling Kids' Concerns
Moving is stressful on the kids, too. Children worry about different things than parents do. Preschoolers often fear being left behind or getting separated from the family. From ages 5 to 11, kids generally fret about changes to their daily routines. Adolescents and teenagers worry about fitting in at their new schools and social circles.

Involve your kids in the moving process. Take them to see their new home in advance (or show them pictures). Get information about their schools and try to arrange a visit. Have your kids pack special belongings into their own boxes; let them decorate their boxes for easy identification.

Address their concerns honestly, but positively. Focus on what they can look forward to: new schools, friends, places to explore. Leaving friends is always hard, but you can ease the transition with a going-away party – and remind your kids they can keep in touch via phone or email.

At Arrival
Review your bill of lading and the movers' inventory form. Request clarification of anything that's unclear

Unpack one room at a time – starting with the bathroom. You can always have a living-room floor camping adventure if bedrooms aren't set up the first night, but you can't improvise on bathrooms.

Follow these tips and make your move as smooth as possible. And for a full range of Las Vegas real estate for sale, visit Crystal Properties & Investments or phone (866) 414-0900.