Moving Tips

Congratulations on your new Lake Tahoe home! Are you ready to tackle the challenge of moving? This is a great time to sort through your belongings and decide what's essential. Consider donating unwanted items to a local charity or having a garage sale right here in Tahoe. If it's not needed in your new home, there's no reason to move it. Streamline your move and enjoy your new space to the fullest!

Are you planning to pack by yourself or hire professionals? If you're doing it yourself, you'll need various packing materials. Local moving companies and overnight mail services can provide essentials, including specialized boxes for clothes and breakables. You can also find sturdy boxes at Lake Tahoe liquor and computer stores, ensuring your items are securely transported to your new home.

You should start collecting the following materials:

• Boxes of all sizes
• Plastic bags
• Non-shredded newspapers
• Packing tape
• Markers
• Bubble wrap
• Tissues paper

Packing 101—A few guidelines

• Cushion the bottom and sides of boxes first
• Packed items should not exceed 30 pounds
• When packing, go room by room – it will make unpacking easier
• Begin your packing as early in the moving process as you can – it will take longer than you think at a time when you’ll be busy with many other concerns
• Label all boxes by item and where in your new home they should be placed
• Pack heavy items in smaller boxes and lighter items in larger boxes
• Thoroughly wrap your breakables in newsprint paper, paper towels or clothing, placing them in dresser drawers, containers with lids, large cans, etc.
• Fill your refrigerator and washer and dryer with clothes, linens and other light objects
• Tape cords underneath all electrical appliances
• Don’t tape furniture, doors and drawers, as tape can cause damage; instead, use rope, elastic or long strips of fabric to secure furniture
• If you have children, let them feel they are a part of the process by helping them pack their toys

On moving day

Pack a moving-day essentials box for your Lake Tahoe move. Include practical items like paper plates, a coffee maker, hand tools, extension cords, cleaning supplies such as a bucket, rags, soap, and paper towels. It's also wise to set aside clothing, food, and other necessities for the first few days before you unpack in your new home. This will ease your transition and ensure you have everything you need at hand, making your Lake Tahoe relocation smoother.

Many families find that moving is the perfect time to declutter, potentially adding extra funds from sold items to furnish their new home. As experienced Realtors®, we can offer some proven tips on hosting a successful garage sale:

Planning:

Start preparations three to four weeks ahead. Choose a weekend not close to holidays to avoid scheduling conflicts. Collaborating with neighbors for a community sale can attract more visitors.

What to Sell:

Focus on items like household goods, bicycles, children’s toys, and garden tools. Less demand generally exists for adult clothing.

Display:

Arrange items neatly by category, with attractive settings for delicate items. Place high-demand items towards the back to encourage browsing.

Logistics:

Ensure appliances can be tested and provide sufficient parking and loading areas. Keep packaging materials like boxes and newspapers handy.

Promotion:

Advertise in local papers and utilize community bulletin boards. Use clear signage to guide customers to your sale.

Pricing:

Price items competitively, keeping in mind that garage sale shoppers are looking for bargains. More valuable items might be better sold through other avenues.

Staging:

Clearly state that all sales are final and only cash is accepted. Maintain a secure cash box and keep a detailed record of sales.