In this blog, we list seven of the most common reasons homeowners may need to use a storage unit while moving from their current house to their new home.
1. Downsizing and Moving Simultaneously
Whether you’re a a person with an empty nest, retiring to a smaller home or you just want to simplify your life, downsizing can help you get back to basics. Many people who downsize choose to sell items of value to finance their move rather than donating these possessions.
However, your moving day may come before all your items sell. In this situation, it can be helpful to put your for-sale items in storage so they don’t overwhelm your new, smaller home.
2. Living in Temporary Housing
The logistics of moving can be complex, especially when a new job, children’s schedules, or a military deployment are factors. Many individuals find themselves living in a hotel or short-term rental between moving out of one home and into another.
If you need to start your new job, get your kids into school, or arrive for your deployment before you buy or rent your next home, put nonessentials in storage.
3. Moving Vehicles Separately From Household Items
If you plan to drive your moving vehicle yourself, you may not be able to tow or have someone drive your family vehicle at the same time. In households with multiple vehicles, especially households with boats or RVs, some vehicles may need to stay behind during the initial transition.
Vehicle storage can keep your pickup, off-road vehicle, motorcycle, or commuter car safe while you get your family and your other possessions moved into a new home.
4. Putting Aside Furnishings That Don’t Fit
Not every move ends with unpacking in a forever home. If you’re a renter, student, or first-time homebuyer, you may end up living in a place where not all your possessions fit.
In this situation, storage allows you to put aside items that you can’t give up without compromising your lifestyle and current living space. For example, students may choose to store their couches, bed frames, and dining sets while living in furnished dorm rooms.
5. Shipping Possessions in Advance
While some moves call for you to leave before your belongings do, other moves call for the exact opposite. For example, you may choose to take the scenic route and prefer to ship your items ahead of you instead of road tripping with a moving truck.
When you won’t be able to immediately bring your possessions into your home, it’s important to choose a secure storage location for them in the meantime. Some moving companies use portable storage units to accommodate this type of move.
6. Sorting Belongings With Multiple Owners
As you live in a home, you may accumulate items with several different owners. Moving with these items may mean that they never return to their respective owners and continue to clutter your home.
Instead, you may want to move items that belong to friends and family members to a local storage unit. Give these individuals the key or passcode to the unit so that they can collect their possessions when they get a chance. This method allows you to focus on packing and moving your own belongings instead of sorting through other people’s.
7. Staging a Home for Resale
If you own your current home, selling it can be a major part of the moving process. Many homeowners rely on the income from a resale to fund their next home purchase or cover moving costs. Homes that are staged to look clean and inviting often appeal more to prospective buyers and, therefore, sell more quickly.
Your staged home should allow visitors to picture their own family living there. For this reason, many real estate professionals recommend removing any clutter or personal items before holding open houses.
Keep the furnishings that aren’t used for staging in storage until the sale is over to maximize your home’s perceived value.
This step may also help you organize your possessions in preparation for you move. As you transfer items from your home to your unit, you get a chance to tidy up and to donate anything you don’t absolutely want to keep.
If one of these situations applies to you or if you think a storage unit could simplify your move in another way, be sure to discuss your options with your chosen moving company as your moving day approaches.
