As a real estate professional, you know that finding your client their dream home is only half the battle; getting them moved in without pulling their hair out is the other. Moving is consistently ranked as one of the most stressful life events, but as their trusted REALTOR®, you can help make the transition seamless.
Through your NAR REALTOR Benefits® partnership with 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, NAR members have a secret weapon to help your clients clear clutter and pack efficiently. Share these expert packing strategies with your buyers and sellers to turn moving-day panic into a smooth, organized, fresh start.
1. The Pre-Move Declutter: Don't Pack What You Don't Need
The secret to an easy move is having less to move. Before your clients even tape the bottom of their first box, advise them to take an honest look at their belongings. Moving is the perfect time to get rid of old mattresses, broken electronics, and outdated furniture.
The REALTOR® Value-Add: This is where you can leverage your NAR REALTOR Benefits®! Remind your clients that you have a trusted partner in 1-800-GOT-JUNK?. Whether they are clearing out a property to get it ready for staging or downsizing before the moving truck arrives, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? handles all the heavy lifting. They also strive to recycle the recyclables and donate other items, making it an eco-friendly option your clients will love.
2. Establish a Timeline and Take Inventory
Encourage your clients to start packing four to six weeks before closing day. Rushing leads to the dreaded “throw everything in a garbage bag” phase.
Suggest they walk through each room and create a master inventory list of high-value items, fragile pieces, and bulky furniture. This helps them determine exactly how many boxes and packing supplies they'll need.
3. Work Smarter: Efficient Packing Strategies
Share these simple but highly effective packing rules with your clients to keep them organized:
- Start with nonessentials: Pack items that aren't used daily first, like seasonal decor, books, etc.
- Go room by room: Jumping from the kitchen to the bedroom creates chaos. Focus on one room at a time.
- Label like a pro: Every box should be marked with its destination room and a brief list of contents.
- Mind the weight: A box should be heavy enough to be sturdy, but light enough for one person to carry. Pack heavy items at the bottom and lighter items on top, using crushed paper to fill any gaps.
4. Room-by-Room Packing Hacks
Every item requires a slightly different touch. Pass along these pro-tips to save your clients time and heartbreak:
- Kitchen: This room takes the longest. When packing dishes, wrap each item individually and stack plates vertically. They are significantly less likely to break this way than when stacked flat.
- Bedroom: Use wardrobe boxes for hanging items. For dresser drawers, use the "rolling" method for clothes to save space. If a dresser isn't too heavy, they can even leave the clothes right in the drawers and securely wrap the furniture!
- Bathroom: Prevent messy leaks by unscrewing the caps of shampoos and lotions, placing a small piece of plastic wrap over the opening, and screwing the cap back on.
- Furniture: Remove legs from tables and couches to navigate tight doorways and wrap pieces tightly in moving blankets and plastic wrap to prevent scratches.
5. Pack a "First Night" Essentials Bag
After a long day of hauling boxes, the last thing your clients want to do is dig through a sea of cardboard just to find their toothbrush. Advise them to pack a clear bin or suitcase with moving-day essentials: a change of clothes, basic toiletries, phone chargers, important documents, medications, and a few basic tools for reassembling furniture.