Here are some helpful tips from my Market Leader June Newsletter. If your moving this summer its a quick and easy read and May be helpful for you.

Summer Moving Tips
School’s out, the weather’s nice, and home buying season is in full swing. No wonder summer is the hottest time for millions of Americans to make their move. By preparing ahead of time, you can help make this adventure as stress-free as possible.

Plan ahead – If you plan to use a mover, shop around to get the best rates—check their credentials and policies, and make sure they have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau. Fill out a change of address form and notify banks, creditors, and utility companies of your move.

Organize and purge – Take inventory and get rid of any items you haven’t used in the past year. Plan a garage sale or donate these to charity. You’ll reduce the total weight and the cost of your move.

Get plenty of supplies – Order boxes, tape, bubble wrap, markers, and specialty containers including dish barrels and wardrobe boxes. Chances are you’ll need more than you anticipate and you can eliminate a last-minute trip to the store on moving day. Also, many places will allow you to return unused supplies.

Pack carefully – Pack one room at a time and label or color-code each box. Because of the summer heat and moisture, reinforce the bottoms of all the boxes you pack by doubling up on the tape. Wrap up electronics with bubble wrap or cloth. If you’re moving freezers or refrigerators, be sure to defrost them. Secure drawers from opening during transit. Label boxes with fragile items and place them on top.

Keep valuables close – Keep your jewelry, medications, passports, and important papers close by to ensure they don’t get lost. If possible, these items should travel in your car during the move.

Make a final walk-through – After you’ve packed, do a final walk-through and get another family member to double check to make sure you don’t forget anything. Also, lock all the doors and windows, and turn off the lights.

Remember, moving days can be long and tiring. Make sure you stock a cooler with snacks, bottled water, and refreshments to keep you energized and help beat the heat!