December 15, 2021

8 Tips for Moving Out of State (A Real Agent's Guide)

Planning a long-distance move? Kevin Grolig shares 8 practical tips for moving out of state (or into Montgomery County) with less stress.

If you’re moving out of state, here’s the short version: pack a “parts box” with your tools and hardware, book your move as early as possible, get utilities transferred before you arrive, vet at least two or three moving companies before you sign anything, look into temporary storage if your closing dates don’t line up, winterize the home you’re leaving, build a few days of buffer between your sale and purchase closings, and get rid of anything you don’t actually want before you pay to move it. I’m Kevin Grolig, a real estate agent with Compass in Potomac, Maryland, and I’ve walked enough clients through long-distance moves to know where people get tripped up. Whether you’re leaving Montgomery County or moving here, these eight tips will save you money, time, and a genuinely miserable first week in your new home.

What should you pack last and unpack first?

Your “parts box” should be the very last thing loaded onto the truck and the first thing you grab when you arrive.

Screwdrivers, Allen wrenches, and whatever tools you’ll need to reassemble furniture
Small baggies of screws, nuts, and bolts, labeled by which piece of furniture they belong to
Toilet paper, paper towels, and basic cleaning supplies

Do this and you won’t be digging through fifteen boxes on night one looking for the hex key that holds your bed frame together.

When should you actually start planning your move?

As early as possible, and if you’re moving during a busy season, earlier than you think. Truck availability and mover schedules can get tight, especially around supply chain crunches or peak moving months, so lock in your date the moment you have one. If you’re doing it yourself, book the truck early. If you’re hiring pros, book them early too. Waiting until a few weeks out limits your options and usually costs more.

How do you avoid a move-in day with no power or water?

You confirm every utility transfer before you leave your old home and before you arrive at the new one. The absolute worst version of moving day is walking into a house with no electricity, no running water, and no heat. If you don’t already know who the utility providers are at your new address, ask your realtor or your new landlord or management company — they deal with this constantly. While you’re handling address changes, it’s also a good time to file a change of address with the <a href="source link target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">United States Postal Service</a> so your mail follows you instead of piling up at the old house.

How do you pick a moving company you can trust?

Get two to three bids before you hire anyone, and treat any quote that comes in far below the competition as a red flag, not a deal.

Ask a friend or your realtor for a referral
Check reviews on Google and Yelp
Look the company up with the Better Business Bureau
Cross-reference on social media

I hate the saying “you get what you pay for,” but with movers it’s usually true, and sometimes it’s worse than that. Before you book anyone, it’s worth a quick read through the <a href="source link target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s guide to protecting your move</a> — it’s the government’s own resource on spotting moving scams and rogue movers, and it’s free. If you want to save real money, buy your own boxes, bubble wrap, and tape, and pack as much of it yourself as you can. Doing your own packing instead of paying the mover to handle everything can shave a serious chunk off the bill.

What do you do if your new house isn’t ready yet?

You look into temporary storage. It’s common to need your furniture and belongings out of one house before you’re able to move into the next, especially if you haven’t gone to closing yet. Plenty of moving companies offer temporary storage or portable storage units (pods) where your stuff can sit safely off-site until your new place is ready.

What has to happen before you leave a cold-weather home?

You winterize it, and there are really only three things you need to do.

Set the heat to at least 62 degrees Fahrenheit
Disconnect any hoses from outdoor spigots
Shut off the interior valves that feed the outside water lines, then bleed the water out of those lines

If you’re leaving a Montgomery County home (or anywhere prone to hard freezes between October and March), skipping this can mean burst pipes and serious damage waiting for you or the new owners. Not exactly the Christmas surprise anyone wants.

Should you close on your old home and new home the same day?

Technically you can, but I usually recommend against it. Buyer and seller delays happen all the time, and they’re rarely anyone’s fault — not yours, not the other side’s, not your agent’s. Building in a two-to-three-day buffer between your sale closing and your purchase closing gives everyone room to breathe if something shifts. If you’re navigating both sides of a move, my guides to <a href="home selling guide">selling a home</a> and <a href="home buying guide">buying a home</a> walk through timing in more detail.

What should you do with the stuff you don’t actually want?

Get rid of it before it goes on the truck, not after. I see it constantly: people pack up everything, including things they don’t even want, and then have to deal with it all over again at the new house. Plan a yard sale or estate sale well ahead of your move date, look into a charity pickup, or just take a load to the dump. Either way, moving less stuff means a cheaper, faster, less stressful move.

Long-distance moves have a lot of moving parts (pun intended), but none of these eight tips are complicated — they just take a little advance planning. If you’re moving into or out of Montgomery County, I’ve put together more specifics on the area in my <a href="Montgomery County relocation guide">Montgomery County relocation guide</a>, and if you want to know more about how I work with clients on both ends of a move, check out <a href="/why-kevin">why clients choose Kevin</a>.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I book my moving company?

As early as you can, ideally as soon as you have a firm move date. Truck and crew availability tightens up fast, especially during peak season, so early booking usually means more options and better pricing.

How many moving company quotes should I get?

Two to three bids minimum. Be cautious of any quote that comes in noticeably lower than the others — it’s often a sign of hidden fees or a mover you don’t want handling your belongings.

Do I really need temporary storage?

Only if your closing dates don’t line up perfectly, which happens more often than people expect. If there’s any gap between moving out and moving in, storage or a pod keeps your things safe without forcing a rushed decision.

How much of a buffer should I leave between closing on my old home and my new one?

Two to three days is a reasonable cushion. It’s not required, but it protects you from delays that are genuinely nobody’s fault.

Are there tax considerations with a long-distance move?

Possibly, depending on your situation (for example, moves related to active-duty military orders). The <a href="source link target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">IRS</a> is the authoritative source for whether any moving costs apply to your tax return, so check current rules or talk to a tax professional before you file.

Moving out of state is a lot to manage, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. If you’re relocating into or out of Montgomery County and want a second set of eyes on your timeline, reach out through my <a href="contact Kevin">contact page</a> — I’m happy to help however I can.

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Ready to talk through your move? Book a free 30-minute call with Kevin.