While COVID-19 has restricted or shut the door on a lot of things in our lives, you may still want to make a move and open the door to a new home for a fresh start. But is this even possible during a pandemic? The short answer is: yes. For the more in-depth explanation, packed with tips on what to expect, how to plan ahead, and how to keep things safe from the pros (WHO, CDC and more), Check out the suggestion by Myrtle Beach real estate agent while moving to a new house during COVID-19
- Decide first on whether or not moving is best for you now. The key words here are “for you.” If you’re in a high-risk group because of pre-existing conditions or if you’re concerned about you and your family being exposed to COVID, you may want to consider postponing the move or moving with your own vehicles or rental van – that’s if you are able to lift all of your furniture and boxes. If you don’t have this flexibility because your lease is up or your home just sold and your closing date is set for your new home, then now is the time. Regardless, make sure that health and safety remain your top priority.
- Decide on the best moving service for you. Have a checklist ready of the practices important to you during this time, such as: Do they offer contactless virtual price quotes, rather than the need to come into your home? Are they following federal and local guidelines to social distance and sanitize? Do they sanitize their trucks and equipment? Do they wear masks and gloves? Do they have hand sanitizer on hand?
- Communicate with your moving service. Especially during this uncertain pandemic, its important to keep in contact with your hired movers, right from the start with confirming your reservation and what to expect on moving day. You should also make contact with your movers if you need to cancel for some reason and if you or one of your family members is experiencing COVID symptoms so they know their potential risks. In many cases, your movers will still work with you if you’re taking precautions.
- Research storage services. If you know you’ll need a storage unit of some sort and size at your new address, look into storage companies and what hygiene practices they’re following and what hours (if limited) they are open.
- Clean and pack. This is the perfect opportunity to disinfect and sanitize items that haven’t been wiped down in a while before you pack them up and move them into your new home.
- Use the proper packing materials. Meaning, don’t use free or recycled moving boxes, as the coronavirus can live on cardboard up to 24 hours. Use boxes you already have in your home or go to a store and buy them. Also prepare to buy more-than-enough packing liners and wrap for your fragile items to avoid too many trips to the store or waiting on a delivery. Because of that 24-hour lifeline of the coronavirus, make sure you finish packing at least 24 hours before your movers arrive and the boxes are untouched. Even if they’re wearing gloves, this is best for everyone’s safety.
- Provide sanitizer and soap. It’s ideal to conveniently have soap and paper towels by the bathroom and kitchen sinks, and hand sanitizer by the door for your movers to regularly sanitize.
- Be patient. Everything is harder and takes longer during the pandemic, so just prepare yourself – and cut yourself some slack if you’re tired – for the same for moving. It’s a big event!
If you’re looking for homes for sale in socastee sc then you can contact Paige Bird at 843.450.4773 or paige@paigebird.com to schedule an appointment to guide you through the process of buying or selling your home.