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Packing up your electronic devices for your move

Do you have your moving date set but just can’t get going on packing all of your electronic devices? Does the thought of boxing up all those cords, chargers, remotes and discs make you tired just thinking about it? Here’s help. Here are some tips to help you pack up your gadgets to save time and effort while you pack and when you unpack.

Before you start packing, get organized

Organizing your devices beforehand can save you lots of time when you arrive at your new location. First, you’ll need to back up the data on your computers. You can purchase an external hard drive, subscribe to a data storage service or back it up on the cloud. That way, if your computer gets damaged or ends up going into storage, your data is safe and accessible. 

If you take photos of the wiring on each of your devices, you can save yourself a lot of time once you get to your new place. Having a diagram to which you can refer will make reconnecting your devices a snap. 

Make a list of all of your electronic devices before you start to pack. As you pack each device, cross it off your list. You’ll feel better knowing that you are making progress, and you’ll be less likely to forget a device or two. 

When you start packing, put your devices in their original boxes if they are available. If you no longer have the original box, consult the owner’s manual for the best way to pack your device. Make sure that you have all of each device’s components before you pack them.

Label each box clearly

Make a list of each device and component contained in every box. Write it on the top of each box. This is especially helpful if you plan to pack more than one device in some of your moving boxes. To save time when you reach your destination, label each box with the name of the room to which you want it to go.

To keep the cords organized, tie all of the ones that go with a given device together. Or, simply wrap the cords that go with one device with colored tape or twist ties in one color and wrap those that go with another device in another color. 

Remember to pack your devices’ owner’s manuals and warranties

You can pack all of your owner’s manuals and warranties together in a designated box, or you may choose to pack each warranty and owner’s manual with its corresponding device. Because there may be some jostling around during your relocation, you’ll want to have your warranties handy in case one of your more sensitive devices gets damaged.

Moving has its challenges. One of the most important decisions you must face is whether to buy a new home or fix up an older one. Vintage homes have charm, but they often come with dated amenities that need to be repaired or replaced. On the other hand, new homes may be move-in ready, yet carry with them a higher price tag than you may not be able to afford. Here are some ideas you can consider while you prepare a moving checklist  to lay out what you want in your new home. 

Learn about property values

Several factors weigh heavily on a home’s value. Its location, its age, its size, the land on which it sits, the demand for housing in the target area and the home’s quality all impact the selling price for every home. Size every candidate up by those characteristics to see if its price is indeed a bargain, or if it is overpriced.

The home’s neighborhood is something that needs to be taken into consideration when you make an offer. Homes in older neighborhoods may be worth much less than similar homes in thriving neighborhoods. If you have a financial advisor or a real estate professional you trust, ask their advice on estimating the future value of the home and the growth potential of the neighborhood. 

If you can get an older home for a low price, you may find that you can increase its value by making renovations, making it a good investment for people who are handy with making repairs. The best places to recoup the money you spend on renovations are bath and kitchen updates. Updating exterior features such as doors and windows increase both curb appeal and the value of your home. Updates, however, should not be more luxurious than those in typical homes in the neighborhood, since one of the biggest factors in home appraisals are comparable homes nearby.

Consider your budget when selecting your new home

Don’t forget the utilities, homeowners’ association dues and other fees that impact how much you can afford for your monthly payment. These hidden costs can make paying your bills difficult if you don’t take the cost of home ownership into consideration. If a new home is not going to fit with your budget, consider buying an older home that you can move into and renovate over the years. In every home under consideration, take a close look at the home’s roof and siding. Replacing or repairing these items can cost thousands.

Choose a storage solution that best meets your needs

Once you choose your new home, you’ll need to pack up your things and move them to your new location. If you’re doing extensive renovations, though, you may have to live in temporary quarters until the repairs are finished. If you have very few large items in your household inventory, you may be able to use a portable storage unit. On the other hand, if you are moving a lot of large items, other storage options may be a better choice.

Don’t forget to consult your local moving professional early on in the moving  process. They will be able to give you solid advice based on years of experience as you get ready to move.

Before you make a down payment, check your potential new home for these hazards

It’s an exciting prospect to buy a new home. But before you sign on the dotted line, be sure that your potential home has no hidden dangers. Here is a checklist to help you identify some common home hazards.   • Asbestos, a material used as insulation in older homes, can cause serious, often fatal respiratory diseases after long term exposure. Particles of asbestos become airborne when a piece of asbestos is disturbed. If your home was built prior to the 1985 ban on asbestos use in construction, you may want to have the home inspected by a professional to make sure there are no traces of asbestos. If there are, consider asking the previous owner to pay to have it removed before you move in. • Mildew and mold are usually present if the home smells musty. Molds and mildew produce airborne allergens that are especially harmful to people with mold allergies, asthma or other respiratory conditions. The presence of mildew and mold usually indicate that the home has a moisture problem. High humidity or leaks are usually the culprits. • Corroded, cracked pipes occur often in regions that have wide variations in weather within a short period of time. Certain soils also tend to corrode pipes. If the home has damaged pipes, consider replacing the old ones with synthetic materials that hold up better. Steel, clay and tile pipes are more likely to become corroded over the years. • Cracked, warped or bulging foundations are expensive to correct. If you see sloping floors, cracks in the home’s interior or exterior, bulging walls or misaligned windows and doors, a faulty foundation is usually to blame. Foundation issues can be caused by poor quality fill dirt used during the home’s construction, by seismic activity or by high humidity. If you see any signs that your potential home may have foundation problems, have the home inspected before you buy. • Termite problems can cause major damage in the wooden components of your home. Excess moisture often attracts these and other pests. If a home you are considering has a termite infestation, make sure that the problem is corrected before you make an offer. 

Consider having a home inspector conduct a thorough examination of your top choice before moving in. If the home does not meet your standards, insist that the current owner have any hazardous conditions repaired before you agree to buy the property.

After the problems have been corrected, you need to take steps to make sure they do not happen again. If the home has trouble maintaining proper humidity levels, have a humidification system installed by an HVAC professional so you won’t be at risk for mold, mildew or other damage caused by high humidity. Treat wooden and concrete sections of your home with a sealant to protect them from deterioration over time. 

How to decide if a DIY move is right for you

Moving itself is quite a challenge. One of the biggest obstacles you have to overcome is your decision about whether to hire professional moving services or to do it yourself. One of the best ways to make that decision is to list the pros and cons of each alternative. Armed with that information, your decision will be easier. There are several important aspects to consider.

Pros

• You are in charge. You’ll choose the relocation means, packing method and supplies and your helpers. If you are moving to a new home located near your old one, you even have the option of transporting your goods via a few boxes at a time. When you do it yourself, you don’t have to coordinate anything with a moving company . You work on your own schedule.   • It’s cheaper. If you can sacrifice lots of extra time, packing quality and have friends and family available to help, you may get lucky and get a lot of labor at the price of a hot meal.   • You decide the schedule. If your schedule changes, no worries. You can adjust your moving dates as you need. With professional moving services, though, it will be a little more difficult to have complete flexibility and depending on the time of year, this flexibility can be very limited. • You can pack your own fragile and antique items. We understand. You don’t want to trust Aunt Bessie’s fine china to just anyone. However, if you break them, you’ll have only yourself to blame.

Cons

• Procrastination can ruin your best intentions. You don’t realize how tired you will be just from planning your move, let alone doing the physical labor. Because it’s such taxing work, you may be tempted to put off important tasks until the next day. But of course, tomorrow never comes. Soon it will be the day before moving day, and you will have to scramble around at the last minute to get everything packed. Of course, you’ll have a sore back, too. • Hidden costs of DIY moves can impact your bottom line. Not only do you have to rent a moving van, but you’ll also have to buy your own wrapping material, boxes, crates and packing tape. Don’t forget that you’ll have to pay for your own fuel and for every mile you travel. You may even have to pay a neighbor to help you load up the van. Do you have the time available or is there a cost to taking off work to get everything done? DIY may sound cheap, but in reality, it may be more economical to pay a mover. • For people in some situations, a DIY move may not be feasible. You may be better off hiring a moving company if you have young children or elderly people in your household. You’ll have to hire a caregiver to keep an eye on them while you pack and unpack. You, too, will find that a DIY move will become your full-time job for more than a few days, probably more like a few weeks or a month. You’ll lose precious time from your own job, and miss out on needed down time after you get moved in. Professional moving services can pack and unpack your belongings quickly and efficiently, giving you more time to enjoy life in your new surroundings. • You’ll be responsible for your heirlooms and other fragile items. If you really treasure Aunt Bessie’s fine china, you’ll leave it in the hands of experienced moving professionals. Because professional movers have years of experience moving precious cargo for museums and hospitals, you can be sure that it will all arrive in one piece.

Moving can cause a lot of stress if you have few resources to help you. In fact, it can be overwhelming. Yet if you look at moving as a challenge that you can conquer, you will be on the right track to start enjoying your new location from day one. Having a plan can help you push any roadblocks out of the way and help you relocate stress free. Here are some tips that can help you blast through the obstacles to moving success.

Have a master plan for your move

The minute you hear about your upcoming move, you should begin to start planning for your relocation. Procrastination only creates problems. Make your moving plan and stick to it.  

Tip One--Make a master moving plan. Make it a written one. Whatever comes to your mind, write it down. Put it in a small notebook or your portable device. The key is to keep it portable and keep it with you. That way, you won’t forget to write down that nagging thought that hits you at 2 o’clock in the morning. It may be an important one. Transfer your worries to a doable action plan. Here are some things you can jot down to get your creative juices flowing.

• Go to your post office to fill out a form to change your address. You can also fill out the same form online on the U.S. Postal Service website. • Take close up photos of how the wiring is connected on your electronic devices so you can reconnect them easily when you get to your new location. • Since some moving companies bill by the cubic foot, squeeze every inch of space you can by sealing towels, blankets, linens and off-season clothes into vacuum sealed packages. • If your new home is close to your old one, hire a sitter for the kids or a boarding kennel for the pets during the relocation process itself. • Be sure to clean your furniture, rugs and curtains before you pack.

Many Orlando, Florida moving companies offer more comprehensive tips about relocation pre-planning. Here is one of them, the Relocation Zone® website.

Tip Two—Flexible moving days can save you money If you are able to change the date of your move, call your relocation company to see if changing the date can earn you a discount. Certain dates and times of the year are more popular for moves. Scheduling yours on a date that is not so popular can save you on moving costs.

Tip Three—Don’t skimp on packing supplies All boxes are not equal. Make sure that the boxes you use are up to the task. It can save you money in the long run to avoid possible damage. Plenty of bubble wrap or other cushiony packing materials are a must, as is sturdy packing tape.

When you do the actual packing, plan to pack and label the boxes according to the rooms to which you want each box delivered. That can save you a lot of time once you get to your new home. If you have trouble remembering the layout of your new place, ask your realtor for a floor plan.

Here are some more ideas to help you pack more efficiently when moving. • Pack items you will need right away in clear containers that are easy to access. You may even want to keep them with you for easy retrieval. • Use clear plastic wrap to cover toiletries and household liquids to stop leaks. • Use numbering and color coding to take inventory of your boxes. • Try to keep the weight of your boxes under 50 pounds.

Tip Four—Donate what you don’t need at your new place Donating your excess baggage can help others get the items they need at a price they can afford. It can also help you reduce clutter and take inventory of your life. If you haven’t worn nor used it in a year, chances are, you don’t need it. Keep your receipts so you can receive deductions on your taxes for your donations.  

Tip Five—Replacing inefficient appliances can help you save money Old, energy inefficient appliances cost a lot of money to run. They’ll cost you even more if you have to pay to have them relocated in your new home. Use your relocation as an opportunity to shed a few pounds of excess baggage. Donate or recycle your wasteful appliances and purchase new ones when you arrive at your new location.  

Tip Six—Get several quotes from moving companies When you plan your relocation, get several quotes from local moving companies before you make a decision. Start by getting recommendations from your colleagues at work and your friends. Make the decision early, so you can have that decision out of the way and concentrate on the moving process itself.

When you meet with Orlando moving company representatives, get two quotes from each company. One should be a binding quote. With a binding quote, you will receive an exact cost of the move based on an inspection of everything you plan to move. The other should be a non-binding quote. A non-binding quote gives you an estimate. The actual cost will depend on the volume and weight of the goods, as well as expenses for any other professional services you may need.