Moving to a new home is exciting — but let's be honest, it's also one of life's most stressful events. Between packing, coordinating logistics, and settling into a new place, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
The good news? With the right strategy, you can make the process smoother, faster, and a whole lot less stressful. Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, here are the top moving tips to help you stay organized and in control.
Give yourself at least 6–8 weeks to prepare. Create a moving checklist with key deadlines like booking movers, changing your address, and setting up utilities. The earlier you start, the more control you’ll have.
Moving is the perfect excuse to purge. Go room by room and decide what to keep, donate, sell, or toss. The less you move, the easier (and cheaper) your move will be.
Tip: Hold a garage sale or list unwanted items online before moving day.
Label boxes with both the room they belong to and a summary of the contents (e.g., “Kitchen – Pots & Pans”). Use color-coded tape or stickers to identify boxes by room at a glance.
Pack a box with the basics you’ll need right away — toiletries, clothes, bedding, chargers, snacks, important documents, and cleaning supplies. Label it “Open First” so you’re not digging through boxes your first night.
If you’re hiring movers, read reviews, get estimates from multiple companies, and confirm licensing and insurance. For DIY moves, reserve your truck early — especially during busy seasons like summer.
Snap pictures of how wires are connected before disassembling electronics. Also, take photos of furniture before the move for reference and potential insurance claims if anything is damaged.
If possible, visit your new home before moving day to clean the kitchen, bathrooms, and floors. It’s much easier to clean before your stuff arrives.
Update your address with:
Don’t forget to notify friends and family!
Schedule water, electricity, internet, and gas services to start the day before your move-in date. You don’t want to spend your first night without power or Wi-Fi.
Even the best plans hit snags. Stay calm, take breaks, and give yourself grace if things don’t go perfectly. Moving is a big deal — you're doing great just by staying organized.
Moving doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With some planning, organization, and a few smart hacks, you can take control of your move and focus on the excitement of starting fresh in a new place. Whether it’s your first move or your fifth, these tips will help you make the transition as seamless as possible.
This blog is meant for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as financial, tax, legal, real estate, insurance, or investment advice. Main Street Renewal always encourages you to reach out to an advisor regarding your own situation.
Main Street Renewal is a licensed real estate brokerage.
We are focused on renovating and leasing homes across the country. We are proudly based in Austin, TX and have branches in 30 cities with more coming soon.