Well blow me down, we're moving to Alice. Need advice on selling, moving, g/sales

[~Kim~]

lol two days before Chrsitmas we find out that DH got a job with the NT cops - posting Alice Springs.
THis has been in the works for nearly 12 months but I never really thought it would actually happen.

SO we have to move interstate.
My plan is to get rid of as much stuff as possible.
They will move us, but i want to be prepared.
We also have to sell our house (and keept it neat with 2 cyclones).

So any tips on
Garage Sales
Moving interstate
Getting the sale on your house


pleeeeaasse.
Getting a bit nervous.

[Queen]

Hey hun
I have moved interstate twice
My advise is first find out how much it cost to move your stuff, check with companies "taking" stuff to your city from Alice, they do cheaper rates for back-loading. We also found bus companies take boxes much cheaper than moving companies.
Also checking these prices, is a good way to indicate if selling your stuff is best option. From experience Alice is not a very cheap place, nor and easy place to purchase things.

Will come back if I think of more.

[Rivlas]

Google emove. It gives you ideas.
My brother & SIL used to live in Alice and knew all the police there.
Make sure you take your time getting there so you are no to tired when you have to unpack. Have you got a place lined up yet?
Anything really precious pack yourself and take it with you but leave yourselves plenty of room in the car.
Make sure you get your mail redirected and start a list of all the mail coming in so you can let them know you have moved when you do

[Mother Goose]

Make sure the last box on the truck (thereby the first off) is the one with the Kettle and a few cups so you can make refreshments throughout the day

Have stuff handy to keep the kids occupied during the pack and load/unload stages. When I was a kid (and I moved A LOT courtesy of Defence) Mum would give us tasks like cleaning skirting boards

Anything valuable, pack yourself (computer etc)

Make sure you have a FULL inventory of your belongings. Make back up copies of this list and keep it with you.

For Garage Sale, list a start and finish time when you advertise it (advertise in the local paper too). Be prepared that "hard core bargain hunters" will arrive before the start time.
Have loads of spare coins and notes for change
Be prepared to bargain the price down to get rid of it


Congrats to your DH on getting into the Police Force!!! All the best for the move!

MG

[Trillian]

WOW, thats really far away. How long have you got till you move - we will have to have a meetup before you go.

[Ilithyia]

Golly gosh Kim! Thats a big move! Congrats on DH gettin the job though!

Moving is a great time to spring clean! Start going through ALL your cupboards now and work out what you need, what you don't and what could garage sale/selvo's. And do ONE ROOM AT A TIME! It can be so overwhelming sometimes to see things in the big picture. Buts its much easier to tackle one task at a time.

We moved to Brisbane in Feb and back to Townsville in August this year! Its hard work with little ones but I must admit the girls were pretty good.

Are the kids in care at all??? Cause I have to admit its quite difficult to try and pack etc when they are there. They think its just great that you are pulling things out so they think 'oh cool! lets pull things out too!' but its usually the stuff you've already packed!

Oh and invest in portable car DVD players! They are the best!!!!

Good luck sweetie!
x

[AnyDream]

Definitely go through every cupboard and shelf - inside and out - you do not want to be dragging truckloads of stuff that you don't use or love with you. Take it from me, it's easier to do it at this end than at the other end.

Don't assume you will have a house with the same amount or type of storage as you do now. Things to look for in your new house - a good weatherproof, lockable shed (for overflow if needed) or other storage (underhouse, etc) and be prepared for some temp storage means like plastic crates etc if needed.

Take photos/video of your electronic items (including dryer, washing machine, fridge) working just prior to your uplift. Don't wait until the other end when it's busted and the removals insurance questions whether they were broken before the move!

Definitely organise someone to mind the kids during prepack and uplift - and if you can at all - at the other end as well. If they organise the move for you several men will descend on your house and start packing all at once - you want to have as many eyes as you can so that your bins don't get packed with their rubbish in them (yep has happened before) and that they're using enough paper and not cramming your gear into the truck all wrong. It's not easy to look after kids and supervise the packers at the same time.

Re selling your house - make sure you investigate whether you're better off selling and buying a new house or whether there's a subsidised employee housing scheme that you can take up that makes it more financially rewarding to rent your house out and live in one of theirs. It can make a bit difference over just a few years.

[~Kim~]

Thanks for the replies girls! didn't think I would get one lol.

Queen, the cops will pay for the move and fly us up there, so I was wondering about getting rid of our furniture and start again, but you make a good point about ease versus cost. Cheers.

Rivlas, oooh good site, and the list of mail is a great reminder. I have moved three times in the last 3 years and I always say I will do that.

MG, yep top idea about the last box on the truck....oooh and an inventory.

Trill, well DH starts in April. But won't go to Alice until June. We will put the house on the market once the papers are signed in January, so I guess depending on when the house sells....not really sure. DH is on long service leave and I've already resigned so if the house were to sell in say Feb (I wish) we would probably move back to Mum's in Sydney until time came to move I think. Will keep you posted.

Sara, you're right about the decluttering. I have had an inkling of this for some time so have been doing some already. No D no longer goes to DC and N never will so i will just pack around quiet times. Yes and we love our DVD player - even more so now the little guy is aware of it.

[AnyDream]

Oh yeah - priority box (last one on the truck)...needs to have:
Kettle, spoons, mugs, tea bags, sugar and a knife
sponge, tea towel, small bottle diswashing liquid
Telly cords & remotes, modem & cords
PHONE
Toilet paper
One large and one small sink plug
Bags/bin liners for rubbish.