Many first-time homebuyers are so focused on saving up for their down payment and closing costs that they forget that there are also costs that come with getting the stuff from your old home to your new home.
Whether you're moving down the block, from the city to the suburbs (or vice versa) or going all the way across the country, moving costs can add up quickly. Start factoring in these costs ahead of time and get ahead of the curve to make your transition easier without breaking the bank with last-minute movers — and without paying to move a lot of stuff, you don't really need in your new place anyway.
Let's get started.
Why should I save up for moving costs?
How far you're moving can be one of the biggest expenses when it comes to moving costs. Moving across town will likely take a few brawny guys and a truck, as they can make multiple trips if necessary. Moving cross-country takes logistics, multiple crews and a whole lot of fuel.
The cost of a move is also dependent on how much stuff you're moving. If you're single, you probably have a lot less to move than a married couple or a family. Less stuff = lower costs. Likewise, if you're moving from an apartment to a home, you probably have less than someone moving from one home to another. Especially since you may have accumulated more items than you thought if you have a garage, basement and attic in your old home. So keep that in mind when you start to untangle and estimate potential moving expenses.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when creating a budget to cover your move:
Supplies. Sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape. All these things add up.
Cleanouts. You'll want to do a clean sweep of your prior home — especially if you're a renter — or you may be charged a fee.
Movers. If you're feeling up to it, rent a van and get some friends to help you move (consider offering some pizza or refreshments to soften the deal). But if that’s not possible, you may have to spring for movers.
Packers. There’s no shame in having a moving company pack your things for you. It may cost a little more to add on a packing service, but it's so worth it.
What costs can I expect?
Packing Costs
The cost to pack a home, according to Home Advisor, depends on the size of the home. But typical ranges — including materials and labor to packing boxes and furniture — are from $280 to $2,200, with $1,000 being the average. Hiring a mover to pack and unpack runs from $380 to $3,600.
Moving Costs
Reaching out to a reputable moving company is one of the best calls you can make to help reduce the stress of moving. You might be wondering, "How much does it cost to move?" According to moving.com (and based on a 2-3 bedroom move of approximately 7,500 pounds), local moves average out to about $1,250. The average cost of a long-distance move (about 1000 miles) is $4,890.
Moving Fees
If you're moving into (or out of) a condo or apartment building, you might be charged a moving service fee. This is to cover the use of a freight elevator or make up for inconveniences to other tenants by decommissioning a regular elevator for a short time. You may even have to pay for a superintendent to supervise the move or be required to move out/in on certain days of the week. Check with your buildings before arranging movers.
Weekend Rates
The specific date you choose to make your move can affect the costs dramatically. For example, a move during peak season or a weekend move on or near the end of a month — or any weekend, for that matter — tends to cost much more than a weekday, off-season move. From our experience, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays can be the cheapest.
Our big pre-move tip: Purge your unnecessary belongings
If you're like most Americans, you have closets and drawers full of stuff you haven't used in a long, long time. And the thought of boxing it all up and moving it all can be overwhelming. So, why not use the months before your move to declutter? Having a yard sale — either in your own yard or garage or digitally — can be profitable and great fun, but you need to figure out WHAT you will sell first.
There are decluttering services you can hire, but you can always do it yourself! Need a little help? We're stealing decluttering tips from best-selling authors and organizing guru Marie Kondo.
Marie has six basic rules. To purge successfully, you must follow the six rules in order.
Here are some extra tips to help relieve your stress around moving:
Take control of your moving costs!
Unless you are free of possessions, moving to a new home will carry some sort of cost. Deciding what you're willing to spend money on — and what you're not willing to spend it on — will help you estimate and optimize your family's moving costs. Budgeting to cover these costs is the key to managing a stress-free move.
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*About Movement Mortgage, LLC (“Movement”)
Movement is not just a mortgage company – they’re an Impact Lender and force for positive change. With more than 4,000 teammates across all 50 states, they reinvest the majority of our profits back into the communities they serve. Movement is the 10th ranked top-producing residential mortgage company in the U.S., funding more than $20 billion in residential mortgages annually. The company has contributed nearly $400 million to the Movement Foundation since 2012, funding the Movement Schools network, affordable housing projects and global outreach efforts. For more information on Movement and Impact Lending, visit movement.com/impactreport .*
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