Moving to a new place can be exciting, but long-distance moves are no easy feat. You need to take care of a lot of details, plan ahead for potential problems and make sure your possessions—which may be in transit for weeks—arrive safely at their destination.
It’s enough to make any move difficult!
But with the right preparation and guidance, long-distance relocations don’t have to be stressful. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
What to Think About When Having Long-Distance Moves
- Consider Tax Rates in the New State
Before moving it is advisable to check out the tax rates. This is very essential because when you consider the move before searching for the rates of taxes, it may inconvenience you.
Moving to high states with high standards of living can be a major problem for persons with middle-class earnings. So, before you decide on where to move to, you should have the details of taxation at your fingertips to avoid being surprised.
- Find a Real Estate Agent Willing to put on the Work
Moving long distances alone is never easy. And as such, a real estate agent can be of great help. Find the right agent who will be able to take you through the long-distance relocation and ensure that your property is safe. When looking for the right agents, you need to consider factors like- proven-track record, highly experienced, and trustworthy just to name but a few.
- Try Renting in Your New City Before You Buy
Most people who consider long-distance moving often think of buying a property in a new state. However, this may inconvenience you. For instance, you may buy a property from an agent who doesn’t have a right to that property.
To avoid such instances from occurring, it’s important to rent first. Renting is a better way of testing the waters before committing to purchase. You’ll also be able to identify real estate trends in that state such as home prices and others.
- Consider the Insurance Option
Moving long distances can come with a lot of things for instance, to say the least, an accident may occur leading to the loss of both property and life. So, before moving, you need to take into consideration insurance coverage. Furthermore, you need to be sure that the state in which you are moving in accepts insurance.
- Choose your Movers Carefully
Some movers may exploit the person moving by charging the extra cost to benefit them. Therefore, you need to choose a reputable moving company with a proven track record and practices integrity.
How to Make Long Distance Move Easy
With so many things involved in the process of moving, one may think that it’s a difficult task to carry out. But to say the truth, it is a difficult task. However, having some tips to put to use can be a game-changer. Here are some tips to help you make the long-distance move look easy.
- Have a Plan
It is said that proper prior planning prevents poor performance. Having a plan for the hundreds of miles move is very essential. This is because you’ll be able to know where to start and at what time, what needs to be done and at what time, and many others. Having a plan is not all! What is of importance is sticking to the plan.
- Get Multiple In-Home Price Estimates
Before embarking on a long-distance move, it’s necessary to use a moving company. But before choosing that company you need to compare the different costs associated with the move. You can do this by comparing the prices of at least four different companies. After this, you can now decide on the company to use that will not drain your pockets.
- Purchase Moving Insurance
It’s not surprising that moving long distances anything can happen. Before moving, it is wise to check what your insurance does and doesn’t cover. For more expensive goods or valuables, you can consider purchasing a comprehensive plan.
- Lease a Reputable Moving Company
As said earlier, choose a trustworthy and reputable moving company. Affordability matters but it’s also wise to know that the cheapest price is not often the best. Good things come at a cost.
- Take Some Time to Downsize
Within the household, some items are not often used. You should get rid of unused or unwanted items before moving. Why fill the truck with items you are not going to use?
The best way of disposing of these items is by donating them and not burning them.
What to Avoid When Moving Long Distances
- Book Last Minute Services
Failure to secure early long-distance moving services can make you incur extra costs such as last-minute booking charges. When you know you are about to move, an early booking is vital.
- Not Decluttering First
When you live in the same home for quite sometimes it may be difficult to remember what’s packed in the back of your closet. It’s important to check out your items and get rid of unused ones before packing. Don’t just pack everything – you’ll be out of space.
- Choosing Inexperienced Movers
Don’t waste your time using the company without any proven-track record in long-distance moving even if they charge low prices.
Other things to avoid include not planning the necessities, not arranging storage, spontaneous DIY, and procrastinating packing.
Conclusion
With careful planning and research, you can make your long-distance move a whole lot easier. Start by gathering all of the information you need to make informed decisions and don’t forget to factor in the distance, packing materials, and cost.
Be sure to get help wherever you can to limit the stress of the move. If necessary, consider hiring movers or renting a truck to offload a lot of the work. Don’t forget to make arrangements for your mail, mail forwarding, and insurance coverage.
In the end, you’ll be glad you did your research on how to make a long-distance move easier. With the right preparation and an organized approach, you’ll be settled in your new home before you know it.
Written by Taylor McKnight, Author for North American Van Lines
