We're getting a house! When do I start packing?

When we built our house, I started packing right away although it was almost a year before we actually moved in. First get rid of all the stuff you don't want to take with you. You can start packing the things that you don't use everyday now. As you get closer to the move, pack more of your clothing and dishes so that you have enough left over to get by with. Even though I had boxes all over the apartment packed for months, there was still a lot, and I mean a lot more left over to do. There is no need to overwhelm yourself at the last minute, the more you can get done now, the less you will have to do later.

Thats great news I start packing as soon as I can ... leave out enough for the next 4 weeks and get started . I clear cuboards and leave very little out , just enough to get by /// Hope all goes well ;;; let us know when you are in *

Congratulations !!!!!! when we got our house ( it took 8 months of looking to find it) I started taking pictures off the walls and packing things we didnt use like I packed all our winter clothes which was easy cause they were pretty much packed up but i cleaned out our spare room and as soon as I packed a box I put it in the spare room it was so much easier then trying to pack up everything in a month. Since you know your getting a house while you are looking start by boxing the kids toys that they dont really play with alot and the clothes for a different season once we found our new home it took me not even two weeks to finish packing and clean... good luck keep us posted

That is excellent news for you my friend. You must be so looking forward to moving to a house. My friend got a skip and got rid of any clutter that she didn't want anymore. I suggest that you try to get hold of lots of cardboard boxes, a few rolls of brown parcel tape and some old newspapers. A black felt tip pen would be help you mark what you put in each box. I would advise you write a list of things to pack. You will want to leave any things you use each day until the day you move. I began to pack three weeks before my moving date which was in 2005. Then funnily enough I moved into my new house then a few days later went off on holiday for a long weekend in the Channel Islands. My dog, Secret, wondered what was going on.

Stacy- I agree, start packing now. Pack down all of your non-essentials. Set up an empty space in one room and begin packing and storing boxes there as high as they will go so that on moving day people can just walk and grab boxes. Obviously you can't pack down furniture lol. When I've moved I packed all my books, nick-knacks, extra dishes, pictures, etc. I set out enough clothing for a few days, because I could always wash. Typically 1 week's worth is enough because you can wash and wear them again. Everything else goes into boxes. In terms of dishes, I typically pack it all down as soon as I know I'm moving and use paper plates, etc until move day. This is so that I don't forget anything. Just before moving, here's a help tip, leave each cabinet open so you know you've taken stuff out of it. This helps avoid things being left behind. Oh, I also pack up closets as soon as possible (anything non clothing, as I tend to store everything in my closets). Good luck on the move and congratulations on the house! Namaste-Anora

Congratulations! That is awesome!! I would start the week before, stop buying food 1-2 weeks before and try and eat what you have and avoid bring more food into the house. When you are a week out, you can start packing all the linens, keep out a few towels and clothes that you will need for the week. Just wash and rewear these. As far as china or misc. things that you have that are breakable, but not so needed, pack them now! You can have so many things packed that you won't miss and out of the way, this will really help on move week. Not to mention, this will need lots of TLC and if you rush this, you can break valuables and this is never good. I would also pack up all kitchen things but the basics a week out - use the same plates and pots : ) Wish ya the best on this task.

I would say, especially for the kids, start now. The realtor said it might be a month, but two weeks from now you may find the perfect one. Then you have all that stuff you have to go through, but you're more in a hurry. In the mean time, the house that you do get may need some painting or some work you'll have to do. Plus, getting rid of stuff will sort of add to the excitement because you're doing something to prepare for doing that one thing - getting your own house!!!! No more lot rent. No more limited space. Congratulations! Let us know when you find one.

I would say about a month before you move, but you can start right now and get rid of stuff, but go over it very carefully because sometimes you throw stuff away and find that you will need it later on. Like keep your financial papers and anything to do with records of work, taxes, etc. and also momentoes. Get rid of food items, and medicines that are out of date. I know that if you paid a lot for them at first, it is hard to do, but if the prescription is not strong enough, you have to get rid of it.

Start packing now!! Find boxes. Start with one room. Pack the most important things first. Designate one area of your home as the "staging area". In the staging area, you can stack and store the filled boxes. You can also have a separate area to put things that you are going to donate or give away or sell in the next yard sale. Throw away all trash daily. This prevents you from retrieving things that you deemed as trash. Do not second guess yourself. Also, keep notes to help you stay organized. On moving day, Load the truck. Turn off the phone, water, gas. Go through the house one more time and make sure you have not forgotten anything. Lock the door and move to the new house. good luck!!

First of all Congratulations to you friend that you are getting your new home, regarding packing i am zero in experience, coz my hubby is businessman and has never shifted from the house we are residing in...but i think that u should start with throwing away waste things, that are totally useless, then the things u wont need for long time should be packed and the day to day items at the last...he he he....maybe i am giving u A, B, C, D and you may be much much more expert...but thatz only i can suggest...but sure i can give you my Best Wishes !!!

Hi, stacyv81! Congratulations on your new move! Well, being that you have many things to go through, it would be best for you to start packing up as of now. Now is a great time to do so. That way you can take your time. And then you can go through things again by double checking. I know how it is to have to move, I have moved over 10 times in my life, and I am only 30. So, I know how it is. Make sure that you start finding some sturdy boxes so that you can tape your items down in. I thought that we was was going to be moving this week. But, it looks like it may be next week. My husband says that we can still move this weekend. He even told me the other day that he will start packing some clothes in our suitcases this week. I can't wait. I have been staying at this motel for 3 months. And I am ready to have my own place. I am happy for you on your moving! I hope that you enjoy your new house!

You can start packing from now on. As early as possible. Congratulation by the way for the new house. You must be very excited. I hope your entire family will have peace and happiness always.

I am in the same situation as you few days ago. I was pre approved of a mortgage loan. Closing Date was scheduled, but we needed to wait for the APPROVAL of the lender (bank). So even if you already have been pre approved, you will still have to wait until the broker and the seller (builder) have bargained and you came up and agreed with the price of the house. It will take few days to do that. Then you have to hire for an inspector to inspect the property (that's around $250-$300). Send the inspection report to the builder.Then the lender will ask a lot of documents from you such as pay stub, 2 years W-2, SS, driver license, bank statements, etc. Then still you have to wait for the Formal approval from the lender (finally got it yesterday), then they sent me documents. I will be packing 1 week before the closing date. Because there might be some things that could happen between today and the 30th (closing date). Oh I forgot, before you do the closing, you have to have a final walk through and see if the builder fixed everything that was on the inspection report. I was told that there are times that closing cant push through even if everything was alright. Good luck on your quest for a new house !!

Hi,stacyv81, I am so glad to hear that you will have a new house,congratulations! This very moment is the best time to pack the things that you don't use everyday. Thoese dresses,coats,siuts-anything hanging in closets-travel best in resale boxes,which can be used seasonally as“extra closets” for wardrobe storage.Other clothes can remain folded in their regular dresser drawers. ALL these things below waste my one week to pack. Beds,bicycles,tricycles,baby carriages,books,bureaus,dressers,chairs,dishes,fine furniture,glasses,kitchenware,lamps,lawn mowers,mirrors,paint and flammables,paintings, prints, radios, radios, sttereos,compact discs and cassettes tables, tools, gardening equipment and valuables. :)

First before you sign on the dotted line for a loan. Don't do it right away, take the contract home and read it through EVERY line and have a pen and pad to jot notes for questions. NEVER take any Adjustable Rate mortgage EVER. But beware of Balloon payments or the like too. Both things can cost you big time. Demand a Fixed rate mortgage and make sure it starts from the beginning. I don't know if you own what you have or not if so be careful of putting a mortgage to finance they will tell you one thing and do another. Get someone to help you understand the legalise of the document before signing and explain what each thing means. So you know EXACTLY what your getting into, interest rates and there are no surprises down the line you didn't understand. If the realtor or mortgage company tries to pressure you to sign or has the you don't trust me song. Darned right Don't they should have no problem with your taking up to 72 hours before signing in fact that is your legal right to do that. Okay you get the loan and find the house. Since your already pre-approved start sorting now. Things like Trash, Save, Goodwill, Family/Friends. Hold a moving sale for things and give time for clean up. If you really don't it sell it cheap no matter how nice it is or new it looks. Unless you want to end up taking it with you or letting Goodwill profit instead. You can always hold a post moving sale too after you move. Get rid of things too small, worn out or you really don't use or have not used for over a year. Doing this will take some of the anxiety off your wait as well. Let us know when you get your dream home and good luck to you. From someone who has been there a few times. :)

Congrats!! I'm happy for you and your family. I think its best to start packing now. Its never too early to at least start packing. Packing for about 5 people will take a long time to do. Good luck with the packing.