Relocating to Ann Arbor?

Here are some tips and tricks to get the job done!

Let's be honest: moving isn't exactly a walk in the park. There's a lot that goes into the moving process—organizing, packing, hauling, cleaning, unpacking... It can be a real pain in the neck if you're not prepared! At the Missy Caulk Team, we're here to help make your move just a little less stressful, so we'd like to share some of our best moving tips.

Still have questions about relocating to Ann Arbor or looking for more moving or home buying tips? Feel free to contact us at any time.

Before You Move

Do yourself a favor, save yourself a major headache, and start planning your move long before your actual moving day. By organizing, decluttering, and paring down, you can seriously lessen the burden of physically moving your belongings.

Organize & declutter

Want to make moving a lot easier on yourself? Get rid of all the stuff you're not using anymore! Host a garage sale or make some donations to help lighten the load a bit. The less you have, the less you have to move!

Set up utilities

Don't arrive at your new home only to realize you've got no power or water. Make sure your utilities are set up well in advance so there's no break in service coverage. The last thing you want is to be unpacking in the dark, cooking by candlelight, or freezing without heat in the dead of winter!

Change your address

Don't miss any important mail! Set up a forwarding address through the post office (in person or online) to make sure all your mail finds your new home.

Handy Packing Tips

  • Reinforce: Be sure to use sturdy, reinforced boxes, and don't be afraid to wrap fragile items in bubble wrap, towels, blankets, or even clothing (if you want to save some space!).
  • Pack small: Pack heavy items in smaller boxes to make them easier to carry. Avoid over-loading boxes, as this could cause them to break or make them difficult to carry.
  • Pack by room: Keep yourself organized by separating rooms into different boxes—in other words, don't mix kitchen supplies with bedroom belongings.
  • Label everything! Make sure each and every box is labeled with the room it belongs in and the items it contains (so you know where boxes go and which are more important to open first).
  • Prepare: Create an "Open Me First" box containing items you'll need immediately or that will help with unpacking. This includes things like toilet paper, soap, instant coffee, box cutters, tools, and paper dishes.

On Moving Day

All right, you're packed and ready to go, and moving day is here at last. Here are some things to do to make sure your sanity stays intact!

Recruit help

Whether or not you decide to use a professional moving company, you don't have to move alone! Recruit some friends to help you out, or even post a Craigslist ad to find some capable local helpers for a nominal fee.

Keep important info handy

Don't let important information get lost in the shuffle. Make sure to keep any important paperwork or documentation with you at all times during the move. This might include IDs, medical paperwork, legal documentation, and contact and shipment information for your moving truck.

Pack an overnight bag

Once you get to your new home, you might not feel like unpacking right away. If you keep an overnight bag with clothes, toiletries, and medication handy, you can grab some sleep and start the unpacking process fresh the next day.

After You Move

You made it to your new home! But before you start ripping open boxes, there are a few extra steps to take to stay organized—trust us, you'll be grateful you did!

Clean first

We know... you just packed, hauled, and moved. You just want to unpack and get settled. But TRUST US. Cleaning before all the stuff starts to spread is way easier than trying to clean around furniture and under knickknacks.

Unpack by room

If you packed by room and labeled accordingly, unpacking by room should be a breeze! Prioritize more important rooms (like the kitchen) and work your way through one room at a time. Don't be discouraged if you don't get unpacked right away—the process can take weeks or even months!

Enjoy your new home!

Congrats: you did it! Welcome home to Ann Arbor.

We just know you're going to love it here.

Still Have Questions About Relocating to Ann Arbor?

We're always available to talk about the place we love, the real estate market, or the home buying process. If you have a question or need information we didn't provide, give us a call and we'd be happy to clear up any questions. Want to learn more about buying a home in the Ann Arbor area? Use the resources below to take the next steps.