The process of buying a home can be both exhilarating and exhausting and our Ocala home buying tips are designed to mitigate the latter. Of course, the journey doesn’t stop when you close on your property. On the contrary, you still have much to do before you are settled into your new home.

Fortunately, you don’t have to do everything in a day. Of course, you don’t have to do it all alone either. When you work with us to sell or purchase a home, you’ll have an ally by your side long after your transaction has closed. We will continue to be a resource, offering advice and referrals whenever you need them. Often packing, hiring movers and contractors, and acclimating to your new home and neighborhood can seem overwhelming. But a little information can ease the stress of moving. Here are some favorite tips we share with clients as they prepare for an upcoming move.

Ocala home buying tips are designed to make the transition a fun adventure. Here we offer 10 ways to ensure a smooth move.

1. Our Ocala Home Buying Tips Begin With A Warning: Beware of Moving Scams.

Have you received a flyer from a moving company by mail? Does the mover you’ve found online seem amazing? Either way, never take a mover’s claims at face value. According to the Better Business Bureau, moving-related fraud is on the rise. In 2021 alone, individuals and families reported more than $730,000 lost to moving scams, an increase of 216% over the previous year.¹

How can you tell if a moving deal is too good to be true? Trust your instincts. If the price appears too low or you can’t pin down the mover’s physical business address, try someone else. If you can’t get simple, direct answers to your questions, don’t walk, run. Reputable movers offer transparent pricing, conduct in-home estimates, and provide references and copies of their insurance documents upon request.² Need help finding trustworthy movers? We’d be happy to share our recommendations.

2. Insure your belongings.

Your moving company promises to take great care in handling your custom piano and your antique furniture. Additionally, you have verified their references and each has given them a glowing review. Therefore, you feel reassured. Now is the time to trust but verify! Ask to see how much insurance they carry and talk about how the claims process works. Learn how well you are protected and what risks you are taking in case of an unwelcome surprise.

Of course, some items are priceless and irreplaceable. Consider moving valuables and important keepsakes such as jewelry, documents and family heirlooms in your own vehicle. Then, for added peace of mind, call your rental or home insurance provider to make sure such items are well insured by your homeowners’ or renters’ policy. If not, consider buying the additional coverage you need.³

3. Start packing when you start looking for a new home.

As soon as you begin house hunting in earnest, think about beginning to pack things you can do without for the next few months. Among these, consider seasonal or holiday decor, books, and above all personal photos and effects. Tackling just one or two boxes a day will give you a great head start.

To prepare your home for showings, you’ll want to organize. Decluttering will make your home seem more attractive and spacious. Additionally, depersonalizing will make it easier for buyers to envision your home as their own. But don’t overlook the importance of distinguishing between items you will want to take with you and those you would rather abandon. Consider selling, donating, or throwing away the latter. Of course, to the extent that doing so will help create a better first impression in showings, you would be wise to consider storing some of the former.

However, as you pack, always remember that your primary objective is to make your home more attractive to buyers in order to increase its salability. Therefore, make sure to store all evidence of packing neatly away for showings!

4. Pack to make unpacking easier.

Have you ever opened a packed box only to find that it’s filled with an assortment of items that don’t belong together? Packing in this manner is inefficient and makes unpacking a more complicated process. A better way to pack is to bundle items from each room in labeled boxes. Labels will let movers and you know where each box belongs, whether it’s fragile, and which side needs to be up. Alternatively, you may wish to assign a color to each room in your new home and color-code your boxes to identify the room each belongs in. This will further simplify the distribution of your boxes to appropriate spaces.

If you are the ultimate organizer, consider going a step further. Create a spreadsheet and assign each box a number. As each box is packed, simply list its contents on the sheet next to the appropriate box number. This approach will allow you to instantly know where to find each and every packed item.

5. Think outside the box when transporting clothes.

Why pack clothes? Ask your movers if you can leave them in your dressers. That usually poses no problem and saves significant packing time. However, if doing so will make your furniture too heavy, movers may accommodate by wrapping and moving each drawer separately.

Another easy transport trick is to utilize clean garbage bags as garment bags. Poke a hole in the bottom of each bag, turn the bag upside down, slide it over five to seven garments on hangers and tie a knot at the bottom if space permits. Then lay the bag flat in the back seat or trunk of your vehicle. The bags will help prevent wrinkling, and your clothes will be ready to hang up when you get to your new home. Of all our Ocala home buying tips you’ll find in this article, this may be the one that you regret ignoring most.

6. Document the disassembly of appliances and furnishings.

Few things are as confusing as looking at a plastic baggie filled with nuts, bolts, and screws from your disassembled dining room table or sorting through a box of electrical wires and cords to see which ones fit your TV.

The best way to ensure easy reassembly is to document the disassembly process. Take photos, videos or thorough notes as you go. Whether it’s your headboard or treadmill, be very precise.

OCALA HOME BUYING TIPS SPECIAL CONSIDERATION: Reassemble your beds first when you get to your new home. After a long moving day, the very last thing you want is to be assembling beds into the wee hours of the morning.

7. Prioritize unpacking kids’ rooms.

Children can become very stressed by a big move. To ease their transition, consider prioritizing unpacking their rooms. Remember that they are their “safe zones.”⁴ You aren’t obligated to unpack everything, certainly. However, prioritize setting up your children’s rooms to be functional. That way, your kids can hang out in their private oasis away from the chaos of unpacking.

You would also be wise to involve your children in the staging of their rooms. Giving them a voice in the placement of furniture and color selection will make the moving process less stressful and more fun for them.

8. Be a thoughtful pet parent.

Many pets react badly to the commotion of moving day. Therefore, be considerate and seek ways to give your pets breaks from the action. Consider asking a friend to pet sit your pooch, placing your kitty in a quieter room, or using professional services to care for your pets while you set up your new home.

If you choose to keep your pets with you, be sure to check on them frequently. Pets like to know that you’re around. Give them treats, food, and water throughout the day. When it’s time to transport your pet, do it calmly. At your new property, give your pet access to just a room or two at first. Pets typically prefer to acclimate themselves slowly to unfamiliar environments.⁵

9. Plan for your move like you’re planning for an exciting vacation.

When you plan vacations, you probably do so by investigating local restaurants, shops, and recreational areas. Why not do that when moving too? Create a list of all the places you want to go and things you want to do around your newly purchased home. Create an exploration list to keep spirits high and help you to settle into the neighborhood.

Additionally, you’ll have have your hands full enough on your first night in your new home. Don’t feel that you have to cook. Once the moving trucks have gone, pop over to a local eatery you are dying to try or order delivery of your favorite meal. The first meal in your new home should be a happy celebration. Of course, if you’re relocating to our town, we would love to recommend a local favorite.

10. We Conclude Our Ocala Home Buying Tips With The “Open Me First!” box.

You won’t be able to unpack all your boxes in one day, but you shouldn’t go without your sheets, pillows, or toothbrush. Designate some boxes with “Open Me First!” labels.

“OCALA HOME BUYING TIPS” SPECIAL CONSIDERATION: Make sure your tools are easy to find. You’ll need them for reassembly!

Of course, you would be wise to use luggage and duffel bags to transport everyone’s personal must have items and enough clothing for a couple of days. That way, you won’t have to rummage through everything in the middle of your move looking for items like sneakers or snacks.

When packing your “Open Me First!” boxes, think about which items you’ll need in the first 24 hours. For example, toilet paper and hand soap are musts, a box cutter will make unpacking a lot easier, and paper towels and trash bags are sure to come in handy. We would gladly provide a list of “Open Me First!” box essentials to consider as you pack!

LET’S GET MOVING. Our Ocala Home Buying Tips Can Help!

Getting the phone call from your real estate agent to congratulate you on the acceptance of your off er is a thrilling moment. Keep the positivity flowing during the following weeks by mapping out and executing a streamlined, efficient plan to ensure that your move continues to be low stress and exciting. As always, we are here to help. So reach out to us for answers to your questions, recommendations and advice.

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” – Henry David Thoreau

Moving is a hassle, but our Ocala home buying tips can save you money and frustration. You may be tempted to jump at the first quote you receive. But life’s adventure can only be lived when you venture outside your comfort zone. Every time you move to a new home, you begin to write a new chapter and open the door to new opportunities!

We moved to our dream home when our daughter was in her early teens. Of course, she feared leaving her friends and wondered if she’d ever have such friendships again. However, it took her less than ten minutes in her new school to meet a life long friend. Additionally, the move opened opportunities for her to grow into the amazing woman she is today. Without change there is no growth!