Look how spiffy our house is looking these days:
With less than 5 days until the big move, we’ve learned that packing is no joke. But we’ve got our eye on the prize (our exciting new digs) so we’re trying to keep our spirits up, stay hydrated, and play some good music for dancing as we go (the dancing is for Clara- gotta keep the baby entertained or packing progress can screech to a halt). Oh and we got many of our “secondhand boxes” as we’re lovingly calling them by trolling craigslist and freecycle (and even driving to a local reader’s house when she offered some up to us on Facebook). But admittedly we did have to grab a few from Walmart when we ran out of pre-used ones. Oh well, at least they’re made from 100% recycled material and we can craigslist/freecycle them when we’re done so they’ll live on like Leo’s memory in Titanic. Sidenote: anyone else still have a grade school crush on Leo?
Our to-do list is pretty nuts, but so far we’ve managed to cross these things off:
- remove every single item from the wall and patch/paint every nail hole in the house (this was actually about 500 times easier than I expected- just remove all the nails at once, spackle everything at once, and then paint room by room. It’s a lot faster than doing those three things in each room before moving onto the next one since you’d be opening and closing the spackle and cleaning the putty knife about a million times).
- transfer all of our utilities so they start over at the new place on move-in day
- pack the entire bathroom (except for travel sized shampoo & conditioner, our toothbrushes, and the shower curtain)
- pack all of our frames, mirrors, books, ceramic animals, and 80% of the breakables (still need to do our dishware – yikes!)
- pack all of the clothes we won’t be using in the next 7 days (we created a little “vacation stash” of everything from clothes to baby supplies and toiletries that we’ll appreciate having on hand instead of needing to unpack a million boxes to find those necessities).
As for what’s still on the list, here’s what we’ve got on the agenda:
- pack the rest of the kitchen along with about 20% of the other rooms that still need to be done
- rake the yard so the new owners don’t think they’re moving into a giant leaf pile
- oversee the completion of a few random inspection items (some flue work is being done by a pro tomorrow)
- get our oil measured for closing (new buyers pay for the oil that’s left in the tank, isn’t that a nice fair way to do it?)
- wave goodbye to our tan slipcovered Pottery Barn sofa in the den (someone from craigslist is supposed to be picking it up at 4)
- clean the oven and the fridge (can’t really do this until right before we go)
- vacuum/sweep/scrub the house spotless before locking the door with a tear in my eye
Assuming all goes well, the new owners are supposed to be closing on our house on Monday morning and once those funds come through we can close on our new place on Monday afternoon. So for a few odd hours in the middle of the day we actually won’t be homeowners at all. Weird, right? This necessitates an airtight moving plan, which doesn’t exactly sound easy but we’re sure we’ll somehow get ‘er done. We’re planning to move all of our stuff into a giant U-Haul by Sunday night and are paying to keep the truck overnight so it’ll essentially become a huge storage locker on wheels until we can unpack it on Monday afternoon at the new house (where our alarm system will be getting installed at the same time). Should be interesting total chaos, especially since we’re used to a few trips back and forth when it comes to a big move like this. Thankfully we have John’s awesome family helping with the loading and unloading. Did you think we’d hire movers? Come on, we’re total cheap-os. Besides, we love a good DIY adventure. Here’s hoping it has a happy ending and none of my ceramic animal friends have to die for the cause…
EvY says
I am sad to see this for some reason. Bye bye house we’ve all watched evolve.
Hello new house we’re gonna watch come to life from the beginning.
Are you gonna take pictures of the house completely empty before you hand over the keys? Just to complete the sadness and make us all cry.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! We all need some full-circle photos for closure!
xo,
s
Tasha says
I love, love, love your regular nods to 90s pop culture. The title to this post got me singing House of Pain immediately. Jump Around!
Keep up the good work and happy move.
Connie says
Awwwwwwwwww! This is a bitter sweet moment for me! I wish you all well in your new home. Hopefully you will be settled in you humble abode by Christmas.
Jenn L @ Peas and Crayons says
pack it up pack it in… let me begin. Battle me that’s a sin… ok I’ll stop singing =) you started it!!!!
*tear* on the packing… and HOORAY for moving on to awesome things!
xo
priscilla says
Hey, best of luck on your move! It seems that a lot of people are surprised you are cleaning your home, spackling the walls, raking the yard etc. In our state, the contracts state that the house will be in the condition it was in at time of the contract, so all sellers must leave the house clean, yard mowed, walls spackled and in pristine condition, or they are in violation of contract. We do walk-Throughs about 2 hours prior to closing with the buyers to make sure it looks right. Not perfect condition = not closing. As a real estate agent, we make sure it’s done, or no closing. Works every time!! LOL.
Rebecca @ the lil house that could says
Good luck packing! We were completely organized until the final moments. I recently unpacked a box labeled “Checkbook, medicine, vacuum bags and calculator” I don’t know if it’s weirder that I put those things in one box, or that I actually wrote all of that on a label….
Hopefully you won’t get stuck in the last minute crunch!
JoDi says
Best wishes on the move! I think moving day is a ton of fun. The actual loading and unloading of the truck that is – the packing of the boxes, not so much!
Amanda says
I’m excited for you guys!!!
I can’t wait to see your things in your new house!
Rosemary says
As organized and efficient as you both are I know you’ll make this a good move. Are you planning on posting pics of the empty home after the move? 1 more Q.. are you taking any days off from the blog in order to settle into your new home?
I’m soooooo excited to read about new renos and DIY projects and i’m even more excited to read about it starting from day 1 in your new home. I’ve been following your blog for about a year but when I did find it I went back and read the majority of your older blogs. My fav subject was your wedding!
Good luck!
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, we’ll definitely post empty house pics before walking out one last time. The rooms are already starting to have that empty house echo…
xo,
s
Ariel says
haha, I started singing as soon as I read the title. :-)
Best of luck with the move!
arell says
wooohooo!!! Photographic proof that YOU ARE NORMAL!!! I loooove it!!! Good luck for a peaceful and easy move!!!
Ami says
Please tell me you arenot paying $$$$ to some security system company for your alarm system. GE makes wireless alarm systems that are super easy to install on your own. And I am talking system like those professional companies install and charge you $$$$ with a contract. Plus you can customize the way you want. We diy-Ed ours and it cost us less than half of what proff 2 yr contract Wud cost. Check safemart.com we bought ours from there.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Ami,
Thanks for the suggestion! We looked into options like that but decided to go with a top local company that would respond more quickly and directly (along with police or the fire dept) since it makes us feel the most secure. Anything for my family! Plus they were doing an installation special so it’s not too expensive! But we can totally appreciate those who love DIYing it!
xo,
s
Jillian says
Aww this makes me sad :( But I’m so happy for you guys and can’t wait to read about your new adventures in your new house. Best of Luck!!!!
Shauna says
I’m sure you guys are probably set in the box department, but if not, ask your local grocery store. I work at one (Wegmans to be exact, not sure if there’s in your area of VA.) and people are always calling for them and we are happy to give! They just get crushed and recycled so I’d rather give them at least one more use! Banana boxes are great because they have handles, and cereal boxes are nice and big. Sorry if you guys are already good in the box department, you guys must get tired of reading the same stuff over and over again!
It’s really nice of you guys to rake and fill up the holes in the walls! Even if it’s not normal protocol, it will be so much easier for the new homeowners. They’re really lucking out with you guys :)
Ann Marie says
I’m so excited for you guys. Looking forward to watching the progress of the new home. I’m sure it’ll be amazing. Good luck with the move.
Melissa @ HOUSEography says
Wow. You have made some serious progress. I’m sure you won’t be in the mood to sleep Sunday night so you’ll have a few more hours there :) As for the dishes, in my last in-town move, I just stacked them in a laundry basket and put them in the back of the car, and brought them over, put them in the cabinet. I just couldn’t deal with another box by the time we got to that point!! Good luck!
ruth says
That is the reason why I can’t even think about selling my house yet. I hate moving.
SandyL says
You guys make it look so easy and …well, I know it’s not. I’m wishing you an easy time with all of it! Good luck!! And after the move … the FUN begins! OH YES IT DOES!!! Woo hoo! Your followers are all anxious to go along for the ride!
Tara @ Tara Being Tara says
When we moved earlier this year, our parents were wondering over lunch why we didn’t hire movers and they had to help. We graciously reminded them that no one had offered to pay for movers, and to kindly eat faster so we could finish loading!! =)
Marie says
Wish the old homeowners of my new place were as considerate as you guys–when we arrived 3 weeks ago every nail and screw was still in the walls. We took them all out and spackled in a day, but we don’t have matching paint so we’re just having to repaint every room ahead of schedule.
jenny says
I can’t believe you are actually going!! seeing these pictures suddenly makes it all real. after being a faithful reader for more than a year and a half now, this move feels really bittersweet to me, i can’t imagine what you guys must be going through!!!
Good luck through the next week or two, I CANNOT WAIT to see how things go at the new house! will be thinking of you all the way!
vee says
i echo jenny, and I’m sure all of your other readers on this post.
its really sinkin. And I can’t believe that this is bittersweet for me too!
Am excited to start from square one with you two on your new home.
You both are very inspiring.
mribaro says
This must be the most dramatic makeover we the readers have seen done in your house since you’d moved in!
Laci says
From the perma smile comment to the no accepting freebies to the blogging and updating your house in real-time…this is why we love you guys so darn much!!
ps I just got a new, crackled,blue, glazed (with green flecks showing through) ceramic robin that I LOVE, and I though…”ahhhhh, Sherry would be so jealous..” :-)
Sanja says
Fingers crossed that it all goes smoothly :) The best of luck to you four.
Lindsay says
Sherry, you might like this – it’ll help you stay organized.
My best suggestion is: Label, label, label!! Write on the sides of the boxes, if they are stacked…you won’t be able to see what you wrote on the top. Also, you buy some rolls of colored tape (one color per room) slap some around each box from that corresponding room. Make a chart of the colors and hang it up so everyone can follow it rather than asking you a million times on move-in-day. Maybe even label each room w/ a strip of colored tape.
Good luck! Everyone is rooting for you! : )
Joanne says
Your buyers are very fortunate! Last house I bought was “broom clean” – a pit. They didn’t even have to move out – they lived across the street and were renting it. They thought the tenants were sooooo clean (NOT).
antonia says
You guys seem so organized- I love it!!! Good luck with everything! So exciting!!
Laura says
There’s no need to buy boxes. Local retailers and grocery stores always have a ton on hand that they’d happily give to you! Just ask.
Wendy says
Yay! You all ARE human! Thanks for sharing your chaos :)
Jen K says
Wow! THe countdowin is on! Good luck! It’s so exciting to be starting fresh! Good luck keeping Clara happy during this whole process!
Erin says
We are closing on the same day as you guys! We are moving into our second home, and our stuff is currently in storage and we are all with my mom… when I say all I mean me, husband and three kids under three. Boy will she be happy to see us go.
Katie says
Although I’ll give you props for doing it, total overkill on the wall patching, painting and final cleaning on the oven and fridge. Save yourself some stress and work! And the give the new home owners something to do when they move in.
I’d be curious to know the state of the new house when you move in and if it’s as “cared for”.
YoungHouseLove says
Well, the amazing people over at our new house have hired a cleaning crew for the morning we arrive (so sweet!) and threw us a welcome to the neighborhood party so we could meet everyone in the nearby area. They really went above and beyond, so patching a few holes felt like the least we could do!
xo,
s
Jennifer says
You made me feel old by saying “grade-school crush on Leo”. I was in my 20’s when Titanic came out. Sigh.
Kathy G says
I had an alarm too with the “bigname guys” for several years, and every month when I paid that bill, it made me feel very safe.
Then it got tested – on three separate occasions, we were not home and the alarm got set off. No police ever showed up, even though the alarm company swore they called them, the police said they did not.
I don’t care who called who, I just wanted someone to come check…that’s what I paid for, right? I suggest you “test” it by sending a friend/fam over to attempt to get in, setting it off, then leave. Things like that happen, right?..they have the wrong key, or you accidently bolted the door they were supposed to use? Then hide and see what actually happens after the fact. I bet you’ll be shocked…and more importantly…not feel so safe any more. Sorry to scare you (if it does). But I know how completely betrayed I felt at the time, wondering what if I HAD been home those times, what if it HAD been a real situation. They sell you a false sense of security.
I think the police get SO SO SO many ‘false’ alarms from those systems that they tend to just ignore them UNLESS somebody else calls it in too.
The loud noise probably does scare intruders…and if that’s what you are paying for peace of mind, then good. BUT IF you are really expecting police… not likely. I just don’t want anyone else to feel the betrayal and disappointment and genuine FEAR (what if my son/sister/mother/friend had been there alone and was the one who needed real help??) … that I experienced.
Like someone above, we put in a personal Dell system that contacts us via phone, and then we can call the police. It still has the alarms on the doors and windows that will scare them away too. It has ‘nanny cams’ that we can look at our house online anytime. But calling police is my job. And I’m ok with that. In fact, MORE than ok with that.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the advice Kathy! We’ve actually worked with this alarm company before (we have them at our current house and John’s sister has them at her place too). The good news is that the alarm has been set off several times, all of which the police showed up if we didn’t answer our cells to say all was ok (you’re right, it happened when our family members were trying to get in to let the dog out and didn’t disarm it fast enough). So glad they’re someone we can trust!
xo,
s
cassie {hi sugarplum!} says
Sherry — since you probably won’t have need or space for your Domino collection in the new house (seeing as how you’ll be decorating differently)…I’m willing to take them in for you. Let me know if you need my address. ;)
(I still can’t believe you have every.single.one!)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, the funny thing is that we feel like our new bolder color use is more Domino than ever. Might need to hang onto them for now…
xoxo,
s
cassie {hi sugarplum!} says
I thought you might say that! Domino was the master of colors….it will be the perfect guide for you guys. Perhaps the cow head perched atop them will become next year’s Pantone color….dark pink!
Hope the week goes smoothly for you all!
YoungHouseLove says
That would be so Antonio-From-Design-Star of us. Haha. Right now I’m feeling navy or turquoise…
xo,
s
LiveLikeYou says
Good luck on the move–what a perfect Christmas gift!!
Courtney says
It’s just so strange to see your house all packed!
Amanda- Hip House Girl says
Way to go, guys! It’s so weird seeing your house in such disarray! Even though I’m sure it’s controlled disarray.
Also, I will always love Leo. ALWAYS.
Megan says
Good luck with the move! I started reading your blog a few months ago when my husband and I started looking at condos. Its been great! We just moved into our first place last weekend (alas with movers but we felt necessary for Boston walk-ups) and its been so awesome being in our home and knowing its ours. I can’t wait for all the DIY projects! I already painted most of the rooms in our condo and all of your DIY project tips helped out so much!! I’m really looking forward to see what you do with your new place.
lizkayl says
My BiL has helped so many friends move, he bought moving straps and the sliders that go under furniture. He helped a friend of ours who is separating from her husband move out- including the STOVE (a wedding gift from her parents).
My Sister (his wife) helps too-> her motto is “The light stuff has to get moved just as much as the heavy stuff.” So, she’ll grab loads of pillows and lamps and sometimes clothes… and leave the rest for us.
My dad got a job near us, so moved into an apartment for about a year while he assessed his new commute and the area- before buying. To move him in, we bucket-brigaded, I Kid You Not, 60+ grocery bags of paperbacks. My sister handing books off the truck, I ran them to the front gate, my husband and BiL traded off halfway up the stairs and my dad took them from the top of the stairs into the room where they would live.
He just put an offer on a house. I’m dreading/looking forward to that bucket brigade.
Bre says
First off, I wish the people we bought our home from were a nice as you. Pacthing all the nails holes! Dreamy…
You’ve probably already thought of it, but don’t forget to pack a “day of the move” box. I brought this over in my car and it had all those little things you’ll want, but not want to have to unpack a box for. Toilet paper, paper towels, a couple plates etc for feeding the helpers.
We moved on Halloween so we also had a big bowl of candy to hand out to our new neighbors. Maybe you can put a wreath in your box!
Good luck with the move and can’t wait to read about all your DI projects! :)
Katie says
I got sentimental looking at your pictures, b/c my husband and I left our first “real” house almost exactly one year ago. I know how it is to be excited for the new place, yet sad to leave your old one.
Y’all are ahead of the game, I know, but just in case, here’s one thing someone told me to do and I was SO glad we did: pack lightbulbs in an easy-to-access bag or box. We got to our house and unloaded the boxes…and then at dusk, remembered we had lightbulbs in a backpack. Phew! Otherwise we would have been in the dark in a sea of boxes. Oh, and turn on the hot water heater (if they turned it off when they left). Haha, picture me standing in front of a freezing cold shower in the middle of January, shivering, and wondering why the water wouldn’t get warm. DUH. :)
Good luck! I know closing/moving/etc is stressful, but have fun! Can’t wait to see the new digs!
Katie says
Also, just to let you know: We bought boxes, too, when we ran out of the ones we got from stores or cardboard-dumpsters. (Yes, I was up to my waist in–clean–boxes in a dumpster behind the grocery store!) I see absolutely nothing wrong with buying boxes. They are sturdy, clean, perfectly shaped, and you can recycle them when finished. Small price to pay for peace of mind.
Tanya says
Love your blog…I just have to ask, are those Straub beer boxes in the first picture?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Tanya,
Yes! Those are some of the “recycled” boxes we got from someone else thanks to craigslist!
xo,
s
Tanya says
Best wishes for a smooth move!!!
megan e says
The previous owners of my house hired a cleaning crew for the day of our move. All they did was clean the floors, which wasn’t all that necessary, since the previous owners had given us money to have the wood floors refinished. Regardless, the house was still disgusting and it took numerous hours to scrub off all the visible filth on the walls.
They also left all the nails in the walls, which I think I preferred. I hung a lot of pictures up on the wall right away to see if I liked them on that wall. Otherwise it would have taken me months to make wall hanging decisions (I hate making holes in the wall only to decide a week later you don’t like the location). Of the nails left in the walls, I think only 2 (in the entire house) needed to be filled. If you’re not going to patch the hole, then leave the nail in the hole so it’s still functional (if they chose to use it) instead of an eyesore.
Since I know Sherry has allergies, I have one item of advice for you to consider: get your ducts cleaned, especially since it’s an older house. We inherited ducts that hadn’t been cleaned in 50 years (they recommend cleaning every 5 years). Getting them cleaned kicks up some extra dust around the house, so it’s best to do while the house is still empty.
Ashley says
Wow, you’re really going above and beyond with spackling holes and such. I don’t know anyone around here who does that. Then again, when my DH and I moved to our current house, it was so filthy that we found dog hair in the REFRIGERATOR. And despite steam cleaning the carpets four or five times, we were still finding hair from the couple’s black labs until we replaced the carpet. I don’t know if we’ll go as far as patching nail holes when we leave, but I vow to leave the place CLEAN.
As frugal and DH and I are, we will be hiring movers, though. We have friends and family who would help (because we’ve helped them), but once moving involves an entire house and not just a dorm room or apartment … I think that’s a lot of ask of people. Hiring a mover is part of the cost of buying a new home, IMO.
Julie at www.velvetandshag.com says
Seeing these pics makes me a little sad! Onward and upward, though, I guess.