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Published on Jan 11, 2019
•5 min read
By Murphy Jackson,Guest Author
About 13% of Americans pack up their things and move each year. Moving is a daunting task, but how long does it take to move?
Moving to a new home is exciting, but what is the moving process like and why do some parts take longer than others? What’s the expected moving timeline?
If you’re planning on moving soon, here are some important things you need to know about how long it takes to move.
Buying and selling a home is the bulk of your move. From finding a house to acquiring keys to your new house, this process can take several weeks, on average about 3-6 weeks. But each house-hunting journey is different for everyone, and if you’re moving out of state, this could take significantly longer.
Selling your home greatly depends on buyers. Some people sell their homes in a matter of weeks, others in months. Keeping your home clean and ready for viewing at any moment may help your home sell quickly.
It’s important to have a plan if your home doesn’t sell when you have a closing date for your new home. You’ll need to decide where to live and have a storage unit for all of your things.
Once you find a home and want to make an offer, you may not be the only person interested in the home. This may result in a bidding war, or you may lose the home altogether. Don’t stress or become discouraged, because this is the nature of house hunting and it may take a few more weeks to find your new home.
You’ll also need to have your new home inspected to make sure it’s in good shape and there are no surprises.
Another factor in the moving process is getting a pre-approval for a loan. Once you know you want to move, and you’ve worked out your budget, you should apply for a pre-approval. Having a pre-approved loan gives you more time to look for a home that’s within your budget.
Getting pre-approved may take a few weeks, but to make the process easier, make sure you have all the necessary documents. You may also want to consider shopping around for a pre-approved loan to get the best rate. This may take a few weeks as well.
Once you’ve found a new home and you’re preapproved, you want to start packing as soon as possible. Packing saves you time when moving day comes.
Depending on when your closing date is for your home, you can plan to start packing about 6-8 weeks before you move. This gives you plenty of time to buy packing supplies, rent storage, declutter, and pack things you don’t need.
Creating a moving checklist helps plan your move well so you don’t forget anything. How long it takes you to pack depends on how many things you have, but it could take 4-8 weeks, and several hours per day. Start drafting your checklist as soon as you have a closing date so your move goes smoothly.
If you’re having trouble finding time to pack, you can hire movers to complete this service for you.
Hiring movers is always recommended, especially if you’re going to be moving cross-country. Movers have the experience and skill to move larger items like furniture or appliances. Movers are a wise investment if you have items that need care.
If you decide to hire movers, you’ll want to book your movers 6-8 weeks before your move. Ideally, you should have a closing date and location for your new home.
When you’re searching for a moving company, you want to find one with professionalism, client satisfaction, and affordability. You can ask plenty of questions before you book your movers.
If you can, you should take time off work when moving day comes. This way, you’re there to point the movers in the right direction and tie up loose ends.
When you have a closing date, let your employer know as soon as possible that you’ll need the day off. This should be about 6-8 weeks in advance. Make sure that you give the recommended time off to your employer so there’s little trouble when requesting off.
Loading the moving truck may take several hours depending on how many items you have and how large your new home is. A 2-bedroom home takes less time than a 4-bedroom house, for example. Generally speaking, you can expect loading and unloading to take several hours, a full day, or even a couple of days.
One of the ways you can ensure that it takes as little time as possible is being prepared and having everything packed and ready to go. If you hire movers to pack your things, you should be ready to go.
You might be surprised that settling into your new home takes time as well. Unpacking and organizing may take several days or even weeks depending on the size of your home. Don’t rush the process, but enjoy your living space and feel it out before you make any decisions about where your things should go.
If you’re wondering how long does it take to move, the answer is not always straightforward. Moving is a process and a journey that is unique to each individual and family. However, you should plan on several months before everything is finally settled.
Are you looking for a reputable moving company to help you move? Our movers are professional and reliable. Contact us today to get a free quote for your move.