Saving money on your move to the Greater Boston Area

I already shared tips on moving into your Greater Boston Area home.  Now I will share tips on how to save money while doing so.  Most home buyers are looking to cut costs after making such a big ticket purchase.  It turns out there are many ways to save cash while moving.  Follow these tips to save several hundred over even a few thousand dollars depending on your moving circumstances.

Move at a weird time
This tip can save you a lot.  Most people move in the few days just before and after the first of the month.  If you move during the middle of the month, you can enjoy lower rates on movers or moving vans.  Most people also move during summer months--from May to September.  If you're able to move during the off-season, you can save quite a bit.  Do not be afraid to negotiate for a lower price when moving during off-peak times.  It often works!

Move less stuff
This one is as obvious as it sounds.  Move less stuff.  A lot of the time people move everything without bothering to sort through it first and weed out what they don't really need or want any more.  Sort through everything before packing and save yourself the cost of boxes, movers, etc. dedicated to things you don't need to move anyway.  Sell items you can and donate the rest to charity.

Don't pay for boxes
There are cardboard boxes available for free all over the place.  As long as you start asking around a few weeks ahead of time, you will be able to obtain hundreds of dollars worth of boxes for free.  Ask friends and neighbors if they have boxes saved from any large purchases.  Stop into local retail and grocery stores and ask if they will set aside boxes for you instead of crushing them--most places will say yes.

Don't pay for packing peanuts or paper
Why buy butcher paper for wrapping up dishes when you can use newspaper?  If you don't have a subscription, ask a neighbor to save their papers for you for a week or two.  Instead of packing peanuts, use think creatively about how to wrap fragile items in other items you own.  For example, a beach towel could protect your crystal punch bowl and your t-shirts will cushion stemware.

Hopefully some of these tips help as you move to the Greater Boston Area.  Welcome, and I hope you enjoy it here!  Please subscribe to my blog in order to stay updated on community events and information.  If you have any questions about buying or selling real estate, do not hesitate to contact me!

Michael Feldman
Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro
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Tips for moving into your Greater Boston area home

Once you've found your ideal Greater Boston area home, checked out the neighborhood, had the house inspected, been approved for a mortgage, negotiated a price, and filled out the paperwork, you probably feel joy and relief.  Then you remember there is a move ahead of you!  As your Greater Boston area real estate agent, I'd like to welcome you to the area (if you weren't living here already) and share some tips on what to do a couple of months ahead of time in order to make your move go over as smoothly as possible.

Sell, donate, & throw away as much as possible


Now is a good time to go through everything you own one-by-one and take an honest stock of whether or not you want to keep it.  Holding on to things you don't use or like just creates more work because you will have to pack and unpack those items, as well as move or pay someone to move them.  Hold a garage sale and donate anything that is left over at the end to charity.  Items that are broken, missing pieces, or very dirty should be thrown away.

Get estimates for all costs


If you are hiring movers, discuss all details related to the move with the company ahead of time.  Do they charge by weight of items, number of boxes, or how many hours it takes to move?  Do they help wrap and pack items, or is that up to you?  Make sure the movers have insurance and that the quote they give you is guaranteed.  If you are not hiring movers, get estimates on your moving truck in advance, asking for details regarding mileage, insurance, gasoline, etc.  Moving is stressful enough--you don't want to have to face expensive surprises at the last minute.

Plan how you will pack


The more organized you are, the easier the move will be.  Generally it is easiest to pack by room, clearly labeling the boxes "Kitchen," "Living Room," etc.  For families, each individual should consider packing a box of "important" items (such as toiletries and undergarments) that they will need within the first couple of days of moving before all of the other boxes have been opened.  Start packing little things that you do not use as early on so there is less to pack in the final days before the move.  To save money, ask friends and grocery stores for cardboard boxes instead of buying them.

I hope these tips help!  If you have any questions about relocating to the Greater Boston area, or know anyone who needs help with buying or selling a home, feel free to contact me.  Have a good move!


Michael Feldman
Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro
Check Out My Website
See Boston Homes for Sale or Rent
Find me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Connect with me on LinkedIn