By Vanessa Saunders, MBA, MIMC , Broker Owner, Global Property Systems Real Estate.

Sometimes we Realtors forget one very important part of selling a house - moving into it. We ramble on about selling strategies, how to get a house ready for market, and all things legal, financial and marketable about the selling process, but we forget that after the closing, two sets of people have to move!

Moving is said to be more stressful than divorce. No matter how thoroughly you plan your move, you will encounter problems, hitches and disasters you’d never have thought possible. To provide some insight into this topic, I have enlisted the help of some true experts in home moving - wives in the military. Megan Duesterhause, a mom to three little boys and a proud wife of a U.S. Marine, has created a website called “Homes I Have Made” about the nomadic life of a military wife, and has written extensively about dealing with moving, movers and ways to “weather this crazy ride. “

The following are but a few of the great moving tips from Megan, and from an assortment of other military wives in her blog “The Best Moving Advice From Those Who Do It the Most.”

Pack your sheets and blankets in your suitcases that get packed in the moving truck. They’ll be easy to spot when they’re unloading the truck, and you’ll be able to make the beds for your first night in your new home!
~Katie in WA, moved 5 times

Do as much as possible at your current location (dentist, doctor appt, etc.) so you aren’t rushing around trying to unpack, get settled, and worry about finding new doctors.
~Laura in VA, moved 6 times

Compile all of your packing supplies into one caddy or container so you can easily move them from room to room as you pack. I filled a small cardboard box with permanent markers, packing labels, scissors, box cutters, packing tape and packing material.
~Emily in IA, moved 3 times

Keep camp chairs, blow up mattress and anything essential for basically camping because you’ll be camping out in your new house until your goods arrive! Have lots of wine handy.
~Marissa in CT, moved 7 times

If it’s a big move-like international-get out the Post-It notes with different colors and sort and label by storage, household, and “need first” category like those linens and utensils. If a domestic move, have a box marked for quick identification and put in the odds and ends you need like a pocket knife for opening boxes, TP, paper towels, wipes, bike helmets for kids so they can be riding around in the driveway as you are unpacking and directing.
~Haiden in NC, moved 8 times (3 continents, 3 countries, 4 states)

We always talk to the driver of the moving truck. The driver has always given us more detailed information regarding travel time than the company in charge of the move.
~Anna in CA, moved 7 times
Empty your trash and the diaper pail before they get there because they (movers) will pack it full.
I wash my toilet plungers and wrap them in a plastic bag because they (movers) will stick it in a box with your robe and clean towels.
~Brook in CA, moved 9 times

Put anything you don’t want the movers to pack in the car or a LOCKED room.

Ziplock bags of all sizes are your friend! You can containerize everything from small toys to clothes. The week before we move, we put everything we can in Ziplock bags… Legos, pens, utensils, clothes, tools, stuff from the junk drawer…EVERYTHING. This often acts as a final purge as well. And this exercise makes unpacking so much easier!!!
~Alyson in NC, moved 10 times.

To read all of Megan’s moving wisdom, go to her website The Homes I Have Made.