Moving is quite a daunting task no matter what time of the year it is, but it is especially intimidating in the winter. Freezing temperatures, slick ice, and wet shoes all make a complex process even more difficult than it already is. Some aspects of a winter move simply cannot be avoided, but some can be at least partially negated with the right preparation and organization. Here are a few tips to help your winter move as smoothly as the ice on your walkway.
Check The Forecast
Sure, it’s winter. It will either be snowing or cold pretty much every day. But if you keep an eye on the forecast in your area, you might be able to pick out a moving day/weekend when it doesn’t snow, and in fact, you might be lucky enough to get a day with some sunshine! The last thing you want is to be moving in the morning after a big snowstorm. Keep an eye on the wind as well. Heavy winds can derail even the most organized of moves. Choosing your moving day in advance will also allow you to prep your driveway and walkway the night before.
Organization
Label it, label it, label it. Do your best to make sure everything is marked to allow you to know what’s in a box before you open it. You should also group together boxes so that you can unload them into appropriate rooms, instead of having a mess of random boxes all in one room. If you have any particularly heavy boxes, you might want to separate them so that whoever is carrying them knows what they’re getting into. The point is, the fewer trips you have to take out into the cold, the better. Your organization will help you minimize the number of trips you take.
Defend Your Floors
Moving in the winter most likely means a lot of wet and sometimes muddy shoes walking in and out of the house several times. Think about the beating your floors will take with multiple sets of wet, dirty shoes going in and out all day long. Not to mention the risk of spilling or dropping something that might leave a mark. Cover your floors in plastic tarps or old sheets to protect them from mud, water, and potential scratches or marks. Ideally, you will do this in both houses. After an exhausting move, you don’t want to be stuck deep cleaning or repairing your new floor.
Be Slick – Deslick
Think about carrying a 300-pound couch over a patch of slippery ice while you can’t see your feet beneath you. Sound like some winter fun? We don’t think so. You don’t want to damage anything you’re moving, and you don’t want to risk an accident! Make sure your driveway and any walking paths or stairs are free of snow and ice. Shovel diligently and then sprinkle salt heavy-handedly to make sure your moving day goes smoothly without any slips and falls. If you’re driving the moving truck yourself, ask the provider about trucks with good snow tires and take it slow.
We hope you found these winter moving tips helpful, and we wish you the best on your moving day and in your new home! It’s a great way to start the new year; good luck!
At Helgeson Platzke Real Estate Group, we’re proud members of Eden Prairie’s esteemed small business community. We’ve offered the very best in Twin Cities real estate since 1995, earning our community’s trust as the #1 Sales Team in the Eden Prairie area. With over 4,500 homes sold, our knowledgeable and experienced staff ensure your homeownership goals are delivered. If you’re considering buying or selling your Eden Prairie area home this year, now is the time to enlist the help of a real estate professional who can help you make the most of the market, no matter the situation.