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You can get a personal loan to move if that’s what you decide is best for you.Whether you’re headed to a new home across town or across the country, moving is a big job. The process can quickly become overwhelming, so it’s helpful to have a checklist you can work through to help you stay organized. Moving can also be pricey. If you’re moving for work, your employer might cover the cost. But more often than not, you’ll have to pay for a move yourself. If you don’t have cash on hand to pay for it, you could consider a personal loan for moving. Moving expenses almost always end up costing you more than you expected, so it’s important to keep that in mind.Keep reading to learn more on how to get a personal loan for moving expenses, how to plan for a move, how to pay for moving expenses, and more.
Key Points
You can pay for a move with cash, a credit card, or a personal loan used for moving expenses.
A moving loan is a personal loan that can be used to pay for your move. It’s paid in monthly installments for a set term, usually three to five years.
When preparing for a move, it’s important to create a checklist so you don’t miss important details. The checklist should include choosing a moving date, selling unwanted items, finding a moving company, and creating a moving budget.
Once moved, you’ll want to make sure your new place is in good condition, turn on your utilities, start unpacking, and change the locks.
What Is a Moving Loan?
A moving loan is a personal loan that’s used for moving expenses. Personal loans typically do not have limitations on what they can be used for, so it’s a great option if you need to cover a move. Personal loans range from a couple thousand dollars up to $100,000 or more. You can apply for a personal loan via a bank, credit union, or online lender. Online lenders tend to have less stringent qualifications, but may come with higher interest rates than banks. It’s always best to shop around for the right type of loan for your situation.Recommended: How Personal Loans Work
How to Plan for a Move
When planning for a move, creating a moving checklist will keep you focused on the right priorities. Below are important steps to take when moving.
Pick a Moving Date
First thing on your checklist for moving: Pick a moving date. You may not have much say in the matter if your lease is up or you’ve sold your house and the new owner needs to move in on a certain day. But if you do have some flexibility, you may want to schedule your move on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. On weekdays, movers are in less demand and more likely to offer you lower rates. May through September is the most expensive time to move, since the weather is good and children are out of school. If you have leeway in schedule and can move in the off season, you’ll also likely find cheaper rates.
Find a Moving Company
When you know when you need to move, get a quote from a handful of moving companies to get an idea of what you’ll pay and who offers the best deal. Keep in mind that the cheapest is not always the best, especially if a budget company ends up being rough on your items. Make sure that your moving to do list includes asking if the moving company has insurance, and if not, consider seeking it out yourself.
Create a Moving Budget
The cost of a local move ranges between $881 and $2,542, according to HomeAdvisor. Cost could include an hourly rate for movers, a flat fee, or a combination of the two. A cross-country move will cost anywhere from $2,422 to $6,864, according to Angie’s List, and price will depend largely on distance and weight. When building your moving budget, factor in the cost of movers, but also items like repairs you need to make to your old place and the cost of transporting yourself to your new home.
Sell Unwanted Goods
If there’s furniture, kitchen items, clothing, or anything else you don’t want to take with you, consider selling it online or at a vintage store. The extra cash you generate from these sales can help offset the cost of a move or help you buy new things when you’re in your new home.
Cancel Subscriptions
If you’re paying for any local subscriptions, such as a gym membership, you’ll want to cancel those before you move. You may have to do so a month in advance to ensure you aren’t charged for an extra month.
Start Packing
One you’ve whittled down your belongings to the things you want to transport, next on your moving-in checklist is collecting boxes. You can purchase new boxes or reach out to friends or local stores to see if anyone has used boxes they’d be willing to let you have. Start by packing items that you don’t need currently in your day-to-day life, such as Christmas ornaments or extra bedding. You’ll want to pack your essentials last, like kitchenware you use daily, electronics, and clothing.
Finalize Important Details
Once packed and ready to go, confirm all or your bookings for movers and any travel plans you have for yourself. There may also be some loose ends you’ll still need to deal with in your old town. For example, if you banked locally, you may need to close your account and switch to a national bank or a regional bank in your new hometown.
How to Pay for Moving Expenses
There are three main ways to pay for moving expenses: Personal savings, personal loans, and credit cards. Ideally, you can save up and pay cash, but if not, a personal loan or credit card could be a good option.
Personal Savings
If you have the cash on hand, this is the cheapest way to fund a move. In fact, some moving companies may even offer you a small discount if you’re willing to pay upfront in cash. Plus, you won’t have to worry about finding the money to pay for your move later. Recommended: 25 Ways to Save Money Fast
Personal Loans
If you don’t have the chance to save the money to pay for a move in cash, you may want to look into different types of personal loans, especially if you have good credit. You can apply for a personal loan for moving at a bank, a credit union, or an online lender. There are a number of pros of obtaining a personal loan. Lenders offer an unsecured lump sum and don’t restrict how you spend the money. Terms and interest rates will vary by lender, and whether you qualify for a personal loan will be determined in part based on your personal finances, including your credit score. The higher your score, the more likely you will be offered preferable rates.
Credit Cards
Ideally, you would only use your credit card to pay for a move if you can pay it off at the end of the month. Doing so might be a good way to earn points and other rewards. However, credit cards tend to have extremely high interest rates, so if you’re unable to pay your bill, you may find yourself in ever widening circles of debt. If you don’t have the cash for your move and you don’t have the credit score to qualify for a personal loan, a credit card may be your only option. Just be sure to prioritize paying down this debt as fast as you can. Recommended: How to Find the Right Credit Card
Moving Checklist: After You Move
When moving, a checklist is key. But even after you’ve moved, there are things you need to prioritize, as well.
Confirm New Property Is in Good Condition
When you move in, make sure that everything is in good working order. If you’re a renter, make note of any existing damage or items in need of repair. Take a photo and alert your landlord so you’re not dinged for the repair when you eventually move out. Do this before you even start unpacking so it’s clear the damage was done before you moved in. If you own the property, have repairs made as swiftly as possible so you’re able to comfortably settle into your home.
Begin Unpacking
Once you’re in your new digs, start unpacking. Focus first on essential items like kitchenware, clothing, and bedding. Once you’ve unpacked these, start unpacking the rest of your belongings room by room.
Turn on Utilities
Important utilities like gas, electricity, and water will likely still be on when you move in. However, make sure to start an account for each in your own name to ensure they stay on. Call your internet provider to install the equipment you’ll need to get online.
Change the Locks
You never know how many people the last inhabitants of your home gave a key to. To ensure your home is safe, consider changing the locks or adding a deadbolt. If you’re renting, ask the landlord if they changed the locks before you moved in, and if not, have them changed.
The Takeaway
Moving doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process. A checklist for moving can help you plan and execute your move with a minimum amount of stress. In order to pay for your move, you can pay with cash, use a credit card, or take out a personal loan.If you’re interested in a personal loan for moving expenses, consider Lantern by SoFi. With just a single application, you’ll receive offers from our network of top lenders, all with no obligation to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you need to do before moving?
What is a moving checklist?
How do you create a moving to-do list?
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About the Author
Austin Kilham
Austin Kilham is a writer and journalist based in Los Angeles. He focuses on personal finance, retirement, business, and health care with an eye toward helping others understand complex topics.
