With all of this extra time inside, you might feel readier than ever to leave your home and move somewhere new. Maybe the way you do your job has changed and you need an additional bedroom for a home office, or you realized that a backyard is the safe-haven you’ve been missing. Either way, COVID-19 has brought on many challenges to our everyday lives, but moving doesn’t have to be one of them. Rest assured, it’s still possible to have a successful and safe move at this time as long as you’re willing to be flexible and take proper precautions. 

While we have tried to provide a comprehensive list of tips that will make your move safer, we understand that some areas have specific guidelines that will require the moving process to look a bit different. Above all else, be sure that you are always following the national, local government, and CDC guidelines so that your move can be as safe as possible.

Before the Move

If you haven’t sold your property or found your dream home yet, don’t worry! As the real estate market is evolving, so are the processes behind buying and selling a home. But this shouldn’t be a cause for concern; several new and creative online techniques are making selling and buying not only possible, but also easier than ever before. 

If you want to sell or buy from the comfort of your home, then virtual showings and open houses will be your new best friend. You’ll receive all the benefits of a regular showing or open house without the pain of leaving your place! Whether you’re selling or buying, your agent can help you hold or visit virtual showings and open houses completely online. And with so many people at home thinking about moving, it’s easy to see why these virtual tours have been so successful and time-saving in the wake of the pandemic. HomeSmart agents are well-trained in these emerging processes, so reach out to your agent or find a HomeSmart agent today to get started.

On the other hand, if you’ve already found your dream home and have a moving date set, it’s important to stay informed and flexible when it comes to the logistics of your move. Finding a moving company is one especially important consideration. While moving companies are considered an “essential business” in most places, many are changing their hours and operations to conform to CDC guidelines and keep their services as safe as possible. For example, many companies are now conducting virtual surveys rather than in-home surveys to provide moving estimates. You can also expect to have minimal interaction with your movers on moving day; many will be practicing social distancing with customers and working quickly to move your belongings. If you’ve already scheduled your move, make sure that you contact the company to stay up-to-date on their processes. If you’re still looking for help, don’t delay––some moving companies are being booked for months in advance, especially as the pandemic continues. 

During the Move

It’s equally important for you to be prepared and take proper safety measures when moving day arrives. When you’re ready to start packing, make it easier on yourself and safer for the community by purchasing all necessary supplies in one trip to the store. If you aren’t sure how many boxes you’ll need, check out this packing calculator to get a good estimate. Additionally, it’s important to note that coronavirus has been found to live on cardboard for up to 24 hours.  Consider buying new boxes rather than recycled ones, or use boxes you already have at home. 

It’s always smart to sanitize your items while packing, but this holds especially true in today’s world. Whether it’s dusting off an old lamp or wiping down commonly used household items, any extra time you spend cleaning up front will be well worth it when you arrive at your new home and have one less thing to worry about.

Packing is also a time when you might be tempted to throw out items you no longer need. Instead of ditching your old clothes, soup cans, or electronics, consider donating them to someone in need. There are several organizations that are still accepting donations, like Goodwill and Move for Hunger. In a time when so many are struggling, it’s more important now than ever to give back to the community whenever you can.

With all of these packing techniques in mind, it’s important to remember to pack in advance––not only for your own peace of mind, but also for the safety of others. To protect your movers from any potential exposure to coronavirus, set aside your boxes at least 24 hours before movers arrive. It’s also a good idea to have sanitation products available for yourself and the movers the day of; whether it’s wipes, masks, or hand sanitizer, everyone will appreciate your efforts to stay safe on moving day.

After the Move

When you and your belongings have arrived safely to your new home, congratulations! Though you might want to begin unpacking right away, make sure that you set yourself up for success by first cleaning your new property however you can. Wipe down countertops, appliances, and doorknobs, for example. When unpacking, make sure you properly dispose of packing materials as soon as you can. And finally, don’t forget the rule you’ve most certainly heard a million times: wash your hands! Especially when handling boxes that have touched so many surfaces, it’s important to keep your hands clean to avoid spreading germs to your belongings and to others. If you can remember these tips, then you’ll be keeping yourself healthy and before you know it, your new home will be sparkly clean!