Residential Guidebook Residential Guidebook 2014 (Subscribers) | Page 31

There are always those less fortunate than ourselves so any old clothes, books, appliances, sports equipment, CDs etc can be given to shelters and children’s homes or even rural schools, so not only will your mind feel clear, you will feel good for having done a good thing. At this point, if you have children, you can perhaps convince them to throw out their rubbish from their bedrooms and put aside old toys and books that they no longer need or want to give to the less fortunate. That will help you considerably. Leave it as you found it When one moves into a home, one of the rules is that the home must be in the condition in which it was received. So whatever needs fixing, do so to ensure that your deposit is secured: get a professional service in to clean the carpets, fill holes in walls, paint walls, clean up the garden and clean the pool and if anything about the home has changed since your occupation, it will need to be fixed and returned to the state in which you found it. It is a very good idea to ensure you have the right equipment to make the packing process easier: sturdy boxes of varying sizes, masking tape, permanent markers, bubble wrap, newspapers, blankets, a blade or scissors and even a note book to help keep track of where things have been moved to, are the most important items that will help you pack successfully. Another thing, is to make a list of all the things that need to be done prior to any moving and packing. It will provide a plan for you, immediately removing that daunting feeling from your mind seeing it written down on paper. Always have a plan! Slowly does it The idea of moving from one house to another is daunting. Looking at the whole house can put your mind in a muddle as to where to start and what to do so take it room by room. Remember small victories leading up the massive win will make it all the more worthwhile it in the end. www.reimag.co.za To cut out the itensity of packing all at once, a few weeks before the time, start boxing and packing things that you don’t need and don’t use frequently at all like ornaments, small kitchen appliances, bathroom items, glassware and crockery, linen, bedding, art on walls, even smaller carpets and mats - anything you think doesn’t serve an immediate functional purpose. It is advisable to wipe down or wash those items that have over the years collected dust and grime. You don’t want to move into your new home with dirt from your previous one. “Wash the curtains the day before you leave so you can hang them up immediately to continue to dry if they are wet.” And, while this is happening, kill the proverbial two birds and place any big duvet covers, blankets and throws in the washing machine too. Once dried, pack away. Wash the curtains a day before you leave so that when you unpack, you can hang them up immediately to continue to dry if they are wet, or just simply hang them up if they are dry. Wrap it up After you have boxed all the crockery and books and other property and labelled them, move on to to the big appliances like televisions, oven, washing machines, fridges and chest freezers should be taped down to prevent scratches and any damage. Keep in mind to tape shut the doors of the fridge, washing machine and any other big appliances that have swinging doors so to keep from damaging and even breaking off in the move. Residential Handbook 2014 29