DETAILED MOVING, PACKING PLAN & CHECKLIST
We hope that this detailed plan helps the transition go smoothly and with less headaches. We have put together our top tips for moving, packing and everything in between.
Pre-listing- Purge, declutter, clean & start making “moves”
Before you put the for-sale sign up in the yard and start booking showings, you’ve got a lot of work to do to get your house ready for the market.
The good news is that all the effort you pour into decluttering and cleaning your house to attract buyers will also make your move easier.
Start decluttering early on by using the “MoSCoW Method” (Must have, Should have, Could have, Won’t have). The MoSCoW method is actually a business management prioritization technique that you can apply to your sorting process to more effectively decide what to keep and what to get rid of.
To use the MoScoW Method, go through your belongings and divide them into separate piles based the following priority tiers:
Absolutely necessary to your daily life (Must have)
Important but not necessary (Should have)
Desirable but not necessary (Could have)
Least critical (Won’t have)
From there, go back through your “should have” and “could have” selections for another level of sorting. Take each item and put it either in the “Must have” or “Won’t have” piles, leaving nothing in the middle.
When it’s time to get rid of your “Won’t” pile, think about having a yard sale or selling unwanted items on Ebay, Craigslist PV, or Facebook Market place If you donate any items, don’t forget to keep the receipts, as they can be a tax write-off.
With less junk cluttering up every corner, it will be easy to give your house a nice deep clean for showings.
Moving Checklist
Cleaning/decluttering supplies stocked:
All-purpose cleaner
Rags/towels
Toilet bowl brush
Toilet bowl cleaner
Glass cleaner
Wood surface cleaner
Mr. Clean Magic Erasers
Disinfecting wipes
Bleach
Paper towels
Trash bags
Storage bins
Clothes and accessories in good condition (especially anything designer) posted on apps like Poshmark or eBay to sell them fast and assist in your purge.
Scheduled a pickup time for any donation boxes.
While your house is on the market, do your homework on movers
With all that heavy lifting of cleaning and decluttering out of the way (save your quick clean-ups before showings), you can make a game plan for your move and start doing some research while your house is on the market. Your agent will handle all the showing logistics on your behalf, and will keep you updated along the way.
On your end, you can start collecting quotes from professional movers and comparing the costs of shipping containers if you plan to book one. Here is a storage place we recommend. https://ustedguarda.com/renta-de-minibodegas-en-vallarta/ located https://goo.gl/maps/ho9aHwSQSg5n1uYg8 and here https://goo.gl/maps/FiycmeEcMUTivEY16
Create a moving binder to help you store estimates, receipts, and an inventory of all the items you’re moving.
Moving Checklist
3-ring binder purchased to keep track of moving quotes, appointments, furniture measurements, estimates, and receipts.
Captured serial numbers/condition noted of any high-value items to protect yourself in the event of an insurance claim
2-3 professional moving quotes collected (written estimates from each moving company based on an in-person evaluation of your household goods). We recommend https://www.mudanzasdelacosta.com
Accepted an offer and signed the contract? Book your movers and gather up supplies.
The moment you go under contract with a buyer, you’ll start filling in the gaps of your moving and packing timelines, especially once you set a closing date.
As soon as you know the date you’ll need to move out by, you can book your movers accordingly. Don’t wait around or put this off until the last minute.
Be sure to stock up on all your moving supplies. Determine how many boxes and which moving accessories you’ll need.
Don’t buy boxes if you don’t have to. If you’re looking to get free or reduced price boxes, reach out to your social circles, ask your contacts, or post on a facebook group site.
Pro Tip:
Then, rather than going the traditional packing route of labeling each box with the contents inside, consider using a numbering system and digital spreadsheet to track the contents of each box. Simply give each box a number that corresponds to the inventory spreadsheet, and list out each item you put in the box next to the number.
This system requires more upfront work and organization, but it will make unpacking a breeze. You’ll thank yourself when you ask, “where did I pack the silverware,” and instead of getting flustered, you can do a quick spreadsheet “control find.” Genius, right?
Then, use a color-coding system to track which box goes in which room. When you arrive at your new residence, you’ll be able to label each room with its respective color so the movers know where each box goes. Be sure to communicate this system clearly to the movers!
Moving Checklist
Moving supplies stocked. Short list:
Boxes
Packing tape
Packing paper
Bubble wrap
Box cutters
Markers
Trash bags
Colored labels (Post-its or sticky dots)
Moving date set based on contract with the buyers of your home
Moving company selected based on 3 estimates.
Background check completed on the moving company of your choice
Checked moving company valuation clause/confirmed full value protection of your items.
Moving truck is the right dimensions based on the size of your home.
Professional movers and truck scheduled and booked for correct date and time.
Shipping container arrival and departure time set (if applicable) in coordination with the professional movers.
Packing inventory spreadsheet ready to go.
Packing milestones marked in calendar based on closing timeline.
6 weeks before the move. Time to get serious about packing
Slide clothes on hangers directly into garbage bags. Don’t waste time by taking your dress clothes and blouses off the hanger, folding them, putting them in a box, only to put them back on hangers at your new place—wrinkled and unwearable. Instead, take your hanging clothes out of the closet chunk by chunk and slide them into garbage bags. Push the hanger through the bottom of the bag, and tie off the top of the bag at the other end. You can even plan to move the bags of clothes yourself in the back of your car to save the need to buy more boxes, if you don’t have too far to travel.
Use space wisely: Fill up pots and pans with spices containers, dish towels, and other kitchen items to save space.
Keep plastic sandwich bags handy: They’re useful for holding any small parts (think nuts, bolts, screws, etc.) of things you have to take apart, like curtain rods or mounted flat-screen TVs.
Take pics: Snap a shot of the back of your TV and other electronic devices. Then, you’ll know exactly how to put them back together when you get to your new home.
Pack jewelry individually: Pack necklaces in their own little safe havens with in an egg carton so that they don’t tangle in the move.
At this point, you’ll want to check the room dimensions at your new place, if you can, to be sure that your larger furniture items will fit in the house and especially through the door.
Now’s also the time to check off some more administrative details, keep your most important stuff safe before your house gets too chaotic, and start notifying people of your upcoming move.
Moving Checklist
Notified work to take any necessary time off for the move.
Furniture measurements completed and stashed in moving binder.
Jotted down room dimensions of new residence.
Snap shot taken of back of TV, office setup, and other electronic devices (so you know how to put them back together).
Contacted any maintenance professionals who service your house regularly (pool maintenance company, landscapers, lawn mowers, pest control) to notify them of the upcoming change of ownership.
Grouped together important items for buyers in safe place:
Reference manuals for major appliances
Keys for the front door, back door, basement, porch
Codes for the garage and any gates
Collected important personal documents/items in moving binder, filing cabinet, folder, or backpack before packing ramps up:
Passport
Social security card
Birth certificate
health insurance
2-3 weeks before closing: Take care of the little moving details
With a little extra breathing room, now’s a great time to tie up loose ends with your move to make this transition as smooth as possible.
Moving Checklist
Confirmed move out date and time with PVrealtor real estate agent.
Scheduled care for small children, elderly family members, and pets on moving day.
Notify for change of address also look into mail forwarding for mail forwarding.
Set up cancel date/transfer date for homeowners insurance.
Scheduled disconnection date at current residence/set up the following at new residence in your name:
Utilities
Internet/Wi-Fi
Cable
Trash
Water
Sewer
Landline telephone (if you have one!)
Cheers its Moving day! The buyers are coming to take possession soon…it’s go time
Pro Tip: if possible, make this happen before the last day. In Mexico the “Manana” attitude can really mess up even the best plans. Always best to give yourselves extra time. Pvrealtor suggests one week before closing. Remember to double check with the notary on the closing date.
Moving Checklist
Payment handy for paying movers.
Cash withdrawn to tip movers.
Filled cooler with bottles of water.
Snack tote stocked with protein bars, chips, nuts, crackers (whatever you need to stay fueled).
Left reference manuals, keys, and codes for new owners in safe place, such as cabinet or drawer.
Left note for buyers explaining any house quirks, tips or tricks.
Keys to new residence in hand.
Folder/backpack of important documents are safely with you.
Signed the bill of loading/inventory list before the movers leave, filed document in moving binder.
Check with your Lawyer/ Closing Coordinator/ Notary to make sure the closing is on track. See if you have missed any details
1-2 weeks post-closing: Spread good news and the word about your new address!
Make sure to give your pvrealtor and movers a positive review 😊
