This also goes for moving, if you're allowing a firm to pack and move you. Packing firms may also need plenty of warning to be booked, so ensure you investigate this fully before committing to booking them with a month of time. You may need to book them sooner., or may have a little leeway. Booking at one month in advance (or more) also means its easier to collect and decide, impartially on the quotes you collected in the previous weeks. Books are easiest to pack, odd shaped, awkward items such as ornaments and other items are the worst to pack, and both types should go in boxes, as should dishes and other objects that are considered fragile. 4) Mark all boxes and bags (if you can) carefully - it makes them easier to find things in, and to sort into rooms without having to break them open. Final checks with your utilities should also be made hopefully, you'll have managed to either transfer or connect a new phone number at your new house, so you can start updating contact details. You should also phone your doctors surgery/local health care provider, or church group to let them know you're going to be at a new address. It s important to de-clutter, or have a guesstimate of how much you'll have de-cluttered before you move so that they can give you an accurate quote. If you overestimate the space you need, you'll not get a refund, and find that space is wasted especially, if you book a larger van than you require. Too small and you may find that your belongings don't fit, or that you get charged extra. It is said that the average house buyer has no vision which means you need to make their 'envisioning' themselves within the house as easy as possible. Dark paintwork is a definite turn off as are stained, worn or smelly carpets both of which need to be taken care of. On the latter, you could offer an 'allowance' or remove a fraction of the house costs for carpets or, if you can, invest yourself and replace them, to allow a possibly higher sale price. Houses are considered to be easiest to sell when they are clean, tidy, free of clutter, and the walls are neutrally toned - some sites and experts suggest painting your walls white, others suggest that you should paint them with pale, neutral, matching colors. If this isn't possible, it is important to make sure your walls are clean - removing clutter and cleaning woodwork and painted walls, can give your room a much needed lift.