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Moving in a hurry? 5 last-minute packing tips
Since the concession announced a little over a week ago, buyers, sellers and tenants are allowed to move until 07 June within certain limitations and regulations. This does not leave much time to pack and prepare ahead of the move.

Moving house has always been listed as one of the most stressful things anyone could ever experience - it is right up there with divorce, losing a loved one or experiencing a job loss - and it is something most of us will experience at some point, says Joel Harris from Jawitz Properties Bedfordview.
To help maximise the time homeowners and tenants have to pull off this move, RE/MAX of Southern Africa provides the following tips:
1. Pick a place to pack
Especially now that we are confined to our homes, it can get overwhelming to see unpacked boxes in each room of the house. On top of this, a lot of time can be wasted by constantly trying to find the packing supplies. Instead, pick a place that can be used as a packing station and keep the required items together. Stock the packing station with plenty of tape, boxes in various sizes, bubble wrap, newspapers, and markers.
2. Develop a plan of action
When you’re in a rush, having a plan of action can help minimise the number of items that get misplaced or left behind. Packing one room at a time and labelling the boxes by room will help ensure that items can be easily found when unpacking. It is also helpful to colour code the rooms and mark the boxes accordingly with markers, stickers, or coloured tape.
Remember to pack a few boxes with the items you would want on the first day in the new home, such as bed sheets, pet food, electronics chargers, toiletries, and a change of clothing. Be sure to mark these so you know where to find them.
3. Colour-code your rubbish bags
To avoid confusion, have rubbish bags in two colours: one for packing and the other for throwing things away. A lot of space can be saved by packing clothing and linens into big plastic bags, as they can be squeezed into tight spaces between boxes.
4. Fill and seal drawers
If you are using professional movers to move, pack your dresser drawers with as many items as possible - this will save both time and space. Just be sure to seal the drawers with duct tape so that they don’t spill open and drop their contents.
5. Don’t get hung up on clothes
Rather than taking clothes off hangers, folding them, and packing them in boxes, simply toss your clothes with their hangers onto the backseat of your car on the day of the move. This will save a lot of time and energy.
Joel Harris from Jawitz Properties Bedfordview, says the most important thing to remember is that even though moving is stressful, have fun with it. It’s a new adventure and a step towards the next exciting chapter in your life. Embrace it, resonate with it and just go with the flow. Once you are in and settled, the stress becomes history.
Harris says make sure you have these five local telephone numbers available on quick dial:
- Your security company - the one your alarm is connected to.
- Your neighbourhood patrols, like the neighbourhood watch, etc.
- A reliable neighbour.
- A plumber - just in case.
- An electrician.
Get the house checked out before you arrive on moving day
Oftentimes, he says the last time you (as the new owner) set foot inside your newly-bought house was when it was still lived in by the previous owners and on the market. Take the time to check out your new home before your moving in date.
It’s at this time, when all the previous owner’s furniture, paintings and rugs are gone, that you’ll see what needs attention before you move in. The house might need cosmetic ‘clean-ups’ such as painting, grouting of bathrooms or having damaged floorboards or tiles repaired.
If you’re in doubt about possible defects such as damp issues, leaks in the roof, etc., it would be best to get a property inspector to give you a professional opinion. You should also check that your TV and telephone connection points are where you want them, or make plans to have them moved.

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