Relocation Tips for

Grand Forks & the Red River Valley

Packing up your home and moving to a new one is never easy, whether you're relocating to the other side of town or the other side of the country. That's why RE/MAX Grand is here to help! We've got all the tools, tricks, and resources you need to make your move as seamless and stress-free as possible, and we're never more than a phone call or email away!

Need more relocation assistance, such as area information, employment assistance, school zoning, and more? As members of Worldwide ERC, we specialize in helping you transition to the community in every aspect of your life, not just housing.

Before You Move

Get organized

Start one room at a time and begin to sort through your belongings. Set aside anything that can be donated, sold, or thrown away. The less stuff you have, the less you'll have to pack!

Lighten the load

Host a yard sale to get rid of any unwanted clothing, furniture, or decor. You might also consider donating any shoes or clothes that are in good condition.

Set up utilities

Make sure you're not moving into a house with no power! Set up your electric, gas, water, and sewer services well in advance. You may also want to change your address with the post office.

Handy Packing Tips

  • Reinforce: Use sturdy, reinforced boxes. And don't be afraid to get friendly with bubble wrap and other packing material for fragile items.
  • Innovate: Pack dishes, bowls, plates, and other glass objects vertically, rather than flat and stacked. For extra padding, pack glasses and stemware inside socks.
  • Pack small: Pack heavier items in smaller boxes so they're easier to carry.
  • Prevent leaks: Remove the tops and cover the openings of soaps, shampoos, and lotions with cling wrap, then twist the caps back on. You can also use cling wrap around dresser drawers or jewelry displays to keep them intact, or around furniture to prevent scratches.
  • Prepare: Create an "Open Me First" box containing personal items that you will need immediately, such as toilet paper, soap, instant coffee, tools and box cutters, and paper dishes. Make sure it's one of the first things off the moving truck.
  • Label everything: There's nothing worse than trying to unpack a disorganized mess! Make the transition to your new home easier by organizing and labeling boxes by room so you'll know where to put them in your new house.

On Moving Day

Make a moving plan

Decide how you'll be getting your belongings from Point A to Point B—professional moving services? A UHaul or UBox? A trailer? If you aren't using professional movers, you might want to recruit some friends to help with the heavy lifting!

Keep important information

Don't pack your most important essentials and emergency prep items—like first aid supplies, medication, financial records, medical records, IDs, and other important documentation or high-value items. Always keep them with you.

Pack an overnight bag

Just in case you make it to your new home before your stuff (or you just plain don't feel like unpacking), pack an overnight bag in case you need to camp out or book a hotel for the night.

Right After the Move

Change the locks

You don't know how many copies of their key the seller might've made and given away, so change the locks to avoid any surprise visitors.

Get oriented

Take a few minutes to find the circuit breaker and label the switches. Locate the main water valve so you can avoid future plumbing emergencies. It's also a good idea to replace batteries in smoke detectors and get a new fire extinguisher.

Clean first

It's much easier to deep-clean your bathrooms and kitchen before they're loaded down with all your stuff (or before you're too tired to clean!). Clean first, unpack second.

In the Coming Weeks...

Unpack by room

Make the seemingly endless process easier by breaking it down into several smaller projects, and do them in order of importance. Start with key rooms like the bathroom, bedrooms, and kitchen, then move on to the less necessary rooms and items.

Enjoy home!

Don't forget to smile… Your new life in your new place just began. Welcome home.

Ready to Find You Home in Grand Forks?

If you're ready to find the perfect home in Grand Forks or you have any questions about buying a home or real estate in the area, then it's time to contact RE/MAX Grand. We're your local guides to all things Grand Forks and we're more than happy to help! Want to learn more about buying a home in Grand Forks? We've got plenty of resources to help you out!

Grand Forks Home Selling Resources

Jump to top