Selling a home has a lot of steps. The offer has been accepted, there’s a set date for closing, and it’s time to work on getting out of the old home. Whether moving just one person or a huge family, moving is a huge job that takes a lot of effort and even more cardboard boxes. Fortunately, there are ways that can make packing for the big move a little bit less stressful. Here are some of the best tips for packing and moving.

1. Start Packing Early

No one wants to feel like it’s a race against the clock to get things packed and ready for the movers, and to prevent this, it’s a good idea to get started early. As soon as the homeowner knows they’re going to sell their home, they should be thinking about packing. Even packing just one box per day can do a lot to help ease stress later on. Getting started early  can also help tidy up the home, which in turn can help improve home showings. Just be sure not to keep the boxes out in the open where buyers can see them.

2. Get Rid of Unwanted Items

There’s a limited amount of space on the moving truck, so homeowners need to use it wisely. When packing, don’t just throw everything into boxes indiscriminately—consider every item and if it’s really needed or wanted in the new home. Things like ragged clothes and broken electronics can be thrown out or recycled, and things that are still in good condition can be donated to a local charity so they can be given new life with someone who needs them.

3. Label All Boxes Clearly

In a sea of identical cardboard boxes, it can feel impossible to find one particular item after they’ve all been jumbled during moving. To prevent, this always keep a permanent marker on hand. When putting things in boxes, write on the side of it a brief description of what’s inside and where it needs to go. For example:

• Kitchen: utensils, cups
• Master Bedroom: sheets, pillowcases
• Guest Bathroom: towels, toiletries

Taking a minute to label boxes as they’re being filled can be a great way to help find things later. It also helps the movers know where to put each box so they don’t just pile everything in one room or distribute it randomly.

4. Keep Valuables On Hand

Just as a safety precaution, homeowners should always transport their valuables by hand to ensure that they aren’t lost or stolen during the move to the new Grayling Terrace home. While it isn’t common for movers to steal from their clients, it does happen, so homeowners should take a simple preventative measure to ensure nothing disappears. Valuables that should be moved separately include things like family heirlooms, jewelry, medications, important documents like mail or social security cards, and so on. Just pack them as normal, but don’t put a detailed description on the box to make sure they don’t go wandering off.

5. Use Small Boxes Instead of Large Boxes

The bigger the box, the more things fit inside it, the fewer boxes that need to be used. Sound logic, right? Actually, large boxes can become extremely cumbersome, especially if filled with heavy things. To help make boxes easier and safer to transport, try to opt for smaller ones when possible. While it will mean needing to buy more boxes, it decreases the risk of someone getting hurt from carrying a box that is just too heavy.

Packing up for the big move is a big job, but using these tips can help make it more manageable. Just remember to start early and try to do something everyday.