What to Keep and What to Discard in the Move
It probably goes without saying but moving is… well, a lot. First, you have to get preapproved. Then there’s the whole process of finding a new home or apartment, going through the application, securing financing and, of course, the back-and-forth negotiation. While having a trusted REALTOR at your side certainly makes the whole process easier, it’s not without its headaches. At some point between the acceptance of your offer and the closing table, you’ll also have to start preparing your current space for the next occupant. That means cleaning, minor repairs and touch ups and, of course, organizing and packing all your belongings for moving day.
Moving day. Ah, moving day. It’s been over 10 years now since I faced the horrors of moving day. For the record, cats HATE travelling and a vinyl record collection is beautiful to look at but a real pain to move up and down a flight of stairs. Which beckons the question: is there anything you’d be better off leaving behind or discarding before a move? For the record (no pun intended) you better take those records. Unless you have a first pressing of Celtic Frost’s Morbid Tales in pristine condition, then you’d better give it to me.
So, what should you relegate to the dust bin of history in the upcoming move?
Clothes- Well, not all clothes, obviously. You kind of need something when you venture out in public. I’m talking about the clothes that you haven’t worn in years. The ones that don’t and will never fit again. The outfit you bought for that one special occasion that’s eating up space in your closet and has been since the end of the Clinton Presidency. Don’t forget to sort through shoes, belts, hats and coats as well. Accessories are underrated space eaters.
Outdated electronics- Still have a cell phone from two contracts ago? A tablet with a crack down the middle that’s been living in your nightstand for the last two years untouched? It’s time to ditch em.’ Of course, with these types of items, disposal can be challenging. Watch your community pages for special events that allow you to dispose of environmentally-damaging electronics like phones, tablets, laptops, and modern TV sets. In the case of phones and tablets, you can offload your burden and make a few bucks at your local ecoATM.
Old paints and stains- Cans of mixed paint really only have a shelf life of about 2-5 years. Even in optimal conditions. Unopened, or factory sealed, paints can last 10-15. In either situation, one must ask, “will you ever use that paint again?” If the answer is no then you know exactly what you have to do.
Most residential waste services frown on wet paint in your refuse, for obvious reasons. So, here’s what you can do. First, as mentioned above, many communities have special initiatives in which they will accept non-traditional or hazardous waste. Or, you can dry the paint out yourself before disposing of it. Buy some kitty litter from your local big box, mix a sizeable portion into the paint and leave it out to dry. In just a day or two, depending on the humidity, you’ll have a solid rubber-like clump that can be included with your regular trash.
Pantry items- New house, new menu. It’s simply not worth boxing and transporting excess pantry items or even much of what’s in the refrigerator. While it may seem tempting, especially with today’s grocery prices, it’s probably better to restock once you’re in your new pad. Transporting items that are refrigerated or frozen risks picking up bacteria or introducing contaminants from the transport that can make you sick. Just order pizzas for moving day and rebuild your Doomsday cellar after you get settled in.
Irrelevant documents and files- The IRS recommends holding onto old tax documents for 3-4 years from the time of filing. EOBs should stay filed for a year or two. Closing documents should stay filed away for 7-8 years. After said windows, it’s best to introduce them to the shredder.
Older magazines- Unless you’re like me and you have meticulously organized magazines in collectors’, labelled, snap bins (bagged and boarded with acid free backers), you can probably live without a 20-year run of Rue Morgue, Scream, Darkside, Fangoria, and Famous Monsters. Look, I’m sure there are better examples out there, perhaps Cosmopolitan, Table, Time, Rolling Stone, etc. but my brain doesn’t immediately conjure up such things. It’s a fault in my wiring. Speaking of which…
Useless wires and cables- You probably have a bin or drawer somewhere in your house filled with ethernet cables, standard USB, low-speed outdated HDMIs and, worst of all, red, yellow and white RCA connectors. Ditch them. Even if you’re moving into an older home, you’ll still be using a modern TV, turntable, laptop or gaming system. So, it’s just more clutter you’ll waste time and space dragging along.
Broken or ill-fitting furniture- You’ll need a couch in your new home, sure. Just make sure it’s a couch that fits in the space. You don’t want a giant sectional that swallows your downsized living room. Conversely, you don’t want a tiny loveseat as the centerpiece for a generous, some would say “oversized”, den. If you have chairs you’ve glued and duct taped together 400 times, it might be a good time to say goodbye. No matter how cozy.
Tools and DIY accessories you’ll never use- Remember that time you bought your own tile-cutting wet saw for that DIY bathroom project you bungled? Okay, I’m projecting. Regardless, you can turn a couple bucks by unloading it on Craigslist or at the local pawn shop. Still have a pallet or two of flooring planks from your current abode? Might as well dispose of them or leave them behind. It’s not like you’ll have enough to reuse them in your new place. If you have extra HVAC filters and the new house has a completely different model, there’s no use in bringing them along.
Have questions about the moving process? Speak to a REALTOR from your local branch of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Stouffer Realty, today. After all, they’re kind of knowledgeable about the whole buying and selling thing and moving is just one more part of it.
