Real Estate and Homes in San Jose, Campbell, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Morgan Hill, Milpitas, Gilroy

Congratulations on the purchase of your new home! Now, for the next challenge: moving. This is a great time to carefully weed through your possessions and to dispose of any clothes, furniture and fixtures that you no longer want or need. Donate them to a charity, hold a garage sale – but if you don’t want them any more, don’t move them.

Are you going to pack yourself or hire professionals? If you’re doing your own packing, following is a list of materials you’ll need. Moving companies and overnight mail businesses can furnish these, as well as specialized items including wardrobe boxes for clothing and heavy-duty boxes for china and other breakables. Liquor and computer stores also are good sources for sturdy boxes.

Start collecting the following materials:

Boxes of all sizes
Plastic bags
Non-shredded newspapers
Packing tape
Markers
Bubble wrap
Tissues paper

Packing 101—A few guidelines

Cushion the bottom and sides of boxes first
Packed items should not exceed 30 pounds
When packing, go room by room – it will make unpacking easier
Begin your packing as early in the moving process as you can – it will take longer than you think at a time when you’ll be busy with many other concerns
Label all boxes by item and where in your new home they should be placed
Pack heavy items in smaller boxes and lighter items in larger boxes
Thoroughly wrap your breakables in newsprint paper, paper towels or clothing, placing them in dresser drawers, containers with lids, large cans, etc.
Fill your refrigerator and washer and dryer with clothes, linens and other light objects
Tape cords underneath all electrical appliances
Don’t tape furniture, doors and drawers, as tape can cause damage; instead, use rope, elastic or long strips of fabric to secure furniture
If you have children, let them feel they are a part of the process by helping them pack their toys

On moving day…
Fill one box with moving-day essentials like paper plates, a coffee maker and coffee, hand tools and extension cords, a bucket, rags, soaps and paper towels. You may also want to set aside a few days' worth of clothing, food and other essentials you’ll need prior to arriving at your new home and prior to unpacking.