Whether it is across town, out of your parent’s house to begin home ownership, or across the country, moving is a challenging undertaking.
With so many details to keep track of, it is understandable that some things may slip your mind. It is possible for you to pack some of your belongings or to switch your mailing address. Whatever you forget, it can be a big headache to get it fixed!
If you are early in your moving process, make a list while all your items are still in place. It may be best to walk from room to room and document any easily forgettable things. Think about the tucked away corners in the back of closets.
Also, it is best to write a reminder down about the attics, basements, or other storage locations you use. Finally, do not forget about your outdoor storage like garages, sheds, or under porches.
If you are wrapping up your moving process, make sure you to do one final walkthrough of the house and garage.
Table of Contents
House Walkthrough Checklist:
– Start at the top of the house (the attic, if you have one)
– Check every wall, every closet, every cubby
– Go room by room
– Check behind doors
– Check every cabinet and every drawer
– Remember outdoor storage
– Walk all around the exterior of the house
– Check the garage
Below is a list of the 10 most frequently forgotten items when moving.
Top 10 Frequently Forgotten Items
1. Important Documents
Nowadays, most of us store our important banking documents electronically.
However, there are some items that are kept hard copy (think your social security card or birth certificate).
If you store your important files in a home safe, remember to remove them or take the entire safe. If you use a safe deposit box and are moving out of the area, make sure to stop by and grab them before leaving.
2. Medical Devices or Prescriptions
Medicine cabinets are excellent places to store your medication on a day-to-day basis, but they are often inconspicuous and easily forgotten.
When packing to vacate your home, check your bag for all the medical devices or prescriptions that you need. Some of them may be used infrequently, but they are still vital to pack.
3. Seasonal Items
If you are anything like me, the Christmas decorations are packed away on December 26th, never to be seen until the first week of December.
Isn’t the saying, “out of sight, out of mind”?
Well, that saying may be the reason you forget some of those important seasonal items tucked away.
4. Outdoor Decorations
Outdoor decorations are easily forgotten. Most of the time they are purchased, placed in a part of your yard or garden and almost completely forgotten about.
When my husband and I moved into our first home, we bought this stone rabbit for our garden. We are about to move into our fourth house, and that silly little rabbit has come along for the ride each time.
5. Valuables and Keepsakes
While many items can be replaced, there are a few things we hold near and dear to our hearts. Whether it is a nice piece of jewelry or an old box of baby clothes, some things just really matter.
However, most of the time, these items are not in a place of prominence in our homes. Check the place you store your most coveted items one more time before departing.
6. Chargers
Chances are that the last night in your old home, you will have something plugged in charging. In the chaos of packing and removing your last remaining possessions, that charger hanging from the outlet may be overlooked.
7. Plungers and Toilet Bowl Brushes
Okay, this one may seem a little odd, but hear me out. While you may not wish to transport your plunger from one house to the next, that does not mean you should leave it in your old home.
My guess is the new homeowners do not want to dispose of your used plunger and toilet brush. So, if you do not intend to take it with you, at least throw it out.
8. Coffee Makers, Toasters, or Microwaves
There are some instances where the microwave is part of the sale of the home with the other appliances.
However, this is not always the case. The coffee maker, toaster, microwave and other small kitchen appliances sit on your counter and become a part of the kitchen. They are, in fact, yours to take and may be easily overlooked!
9. Keys
The keys could be spares to your house, car, safe, or storage facility. No matter what lock the keys open, I am guessing you want to have them. Nevertheless, keys are so often forgotten when you leave a home (especially those tucked away spares).
10. Lamps
That lamp in the corner of the room as you pack up may go completely forgotten. Remember when you leave a house, the rooms should be completely empty when you vacate.
Tasks to Remember When Moving
Not only can you forget possessions, but there are also a few tasks that need to be completed when moving. Some of these items can be done ahead of time, while others need to wait until the moment you are ready to leave.
Nowadays, most utilities and services will let you call ahead and schedule a termination date.
1. Mailing Address
The USPS
makes it easy to change your mailing address here.. However, your mailing address is also linked to countless bills, services, and stores. Once you have a new forwarding address, change your address with any credit cards, banks, loans, and subscriptions you use.
Additionally, if you are an online shopper, check all your webpages to correct your shipping address. I can tell you from great experience how hard it is to convince Amazon to ship an item to a DIFFERENT location than the one you clicked “Purchase Order” on.
2. Cancel Utilities
It may slip your mind, but you need to remember that the water, electrical, sewer, garbage, and cable/internet are all linked to that address in your name. For most of these services, you can call ahead to give them a switch over date from you to the new owner.
3. Memberships
If your move drastically changes your location, think of the activities you do around the local area before you leave.
Go to the gym? Cancel your membership.
Take clothes to the dry cleaner? Pick up all your possessions.
Go to the library? Return any books you still have.
Some of these will be able to be done online, so you can usually knock all of these out in one afternoon.
4. Medical, Dental, School, and Vet Records
Once again, if your move will take you out of your area, there are likely services you use you will need to collect the records. This is especially true if you have children and/or pets.
5. Label Boxes
Let me tell you, you will benefit from labeling boxes properly. Not only should you label what room it came from, or what room it will go in to, it is also an excellent choice to label what is in the box.
This time around, I am putting a general description on the box with a number. On my phone, I have a list of all the items in the box. With little kids, I know begging will happen for that favorite toy they have not seen since it was packed away.
Final Thoughts
Moving is a massive undertaking that takes meticulous planning. It may seem easy to empty a house, but there are so many places that we easily look over. I have always found the best strategy to pack as early as possible, so it is not a rush.
On the last day, my husband walks around the house checking every nook and cranny and I follow behind.
You will want to make sure you check around the exterior of the house as well, especially if it is winter, and you have been hibernating. Snow can easily cover items you wish to take with you.
In the end, you may organize with the new owners to grab a left possession, but it would be a headache. It really is the best plan to remove everything of yours as you leave the house.
To avoid unnecessary charges or complications when moving, complete the tasks listed above. If you plan and complete all the tasks, you need to complete when moving, you will have no problem when making your next big move.
