When we bought our current home, it was after two hellacious moves. Buying a home felt like a good reason to never need to move again, and we made our home in such a way that it would be suitable for us for a long time.
However, over time my family and I have changed, and my community changed, and I realized that when my kids are older and out of the house, I probably will end up moving somewhere, but not now. So at least I won’t need to deal with this headache for another bunch of years.
While there are many things that can go wrong with a move, one of the biggest potential issues is cost. However, there are things you can do to keep down the costs of your move. Read on for suggestions.
Relocating can open up amazing new opportunities, such as better school districts, a lower cost of living, and new experiences for your little ones. At the same time, it can also be incredibly expensive if not done right.
According to U.S. News & World Report, moving across the country can cost between $2,500 and $5,000, making it infeasible for many families. However, there are plenty of ways to reduce your costs and ensure that you come out ahead when packing up.
Find a Cost-Effective Neighborhood
Many people fail to consider the taxes in their new area when moving. These can quickly eat into their savings from downsizing, making them worse off than they were originally.
A great option is to look at states with no state income taxes, like Florida. If you’re concerned about some of the downsides of Florida, like hurricanes, you might consider getting an Arizona mortgage, as the Grand Canyon State has a flat 2.5% personal income tax.
Once you’ve narrowed down your state options, you’ll also want to look at property taxes and choose a good balance between great school districts and low taxes. Some areas also have regional income tax authorities that can cost you thousands per year, so be on the lookout for this as well.
Work With a Mortgage Broker
Mortgage brokers help you find the very best deals on a mortgage, including options that you may not have considered. For example, they can see if you might be eligible for a USDA mortgage based on where you’re deciding to move. These come with no down payment, low interest rates, and minimal fees.
Brokers can also negotiate down fees and rates and advise you of any programs that can help reduce costs, such as first-time homebuyer down payment assistance. These programs are often provided at the state and regional levels and have strict qualification requirements. As mortgage brokers are familiar with all the programs available in a given area, they’ll be able to find options that you may not have been able to research on your own.
Sell Unnecessary Belongings
While very helpful, moving services are also very expensive. Even if you intend to do the whole move yourself by renting a moving truck, you’ll still need to pay for the right size truck and purchase gas along the way, which can quickly add up.
As such, the moving process is a great time to downsize your belongings while also making extra cash by listing them on different sites. You can try Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or Depop, a service that lists clothing, jewelry, and accessories.
Another option is the old-fashioned garage sale. These have become a bit more challenging to hold because so many people don’t carry cash with them, but it’s also possible to get a low-priced payment system like Stripe to take credit card payments. This could be a cost-effective option if you have some specialized or high-price ticket items that you don’t want to list piece by piece on Craigslist. Be sure to advertise that you take credit cards, as this will be a huge draw for a garage sale.
Look for Free Boxes and Pallets
Boxes can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars if you purchase them from a big-box home improvement store, and you won’t have much need for them once the moving process is over. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to snag deals on this essential moving equipment.
Check out Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and other listing sites to see if anyone is giving away boxes. Post on Nextdoor about your needs; you might be surprised at how many people have these lying around. You can also talk to local stores to see if they have any boxes they’d be willing to part with, as they are likely going to recycle them anyway.
Recruit Family and Friends to Help Pack
“It takes a village” can also refer to the moving process. Packing your belongings and hauling them onto a van requires a lot of time and manpower, which can be challenging while you’re preparing your kids to set off for your next destination. If you can recruit help from friends and family, you can significantly reduce the cost of hiring professional movers while also saving time. You can rent moving dollies, furniture blankets, moving straps, and other moving necessities from local stores for much less than it would take to pay movers.
Of course, you want to be sure you aren’t taking advantage of your loved ones’ kindness. You could offer to cook them all a special meal, trade favors for whatever they might need, or pay them a small amount as thanks for their hard work. Not only will you be able to spend time with your favorite people, but even if you decide to pay them, it’s unlikely you’ll be out as much money as you would using a professional moving service.
Final Thoughts
Moving is a grand adventure—but also an expensive one. Save costs by asking for help from your loved ones, working with professionals like mortgage brokers, and doing your research ahead of time to avoid high-cost areas.
