When planning your big move to a new home, you may be asking yourself when the best season to move is. Does it even make much of a difference? The answer is that the time of year will impact your move but for different reasons. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. However, there are key factors to consider when making this important decision. We’ve created a roundup of the main points to think about when planning your move.
Factors to Consider
Cost
One of the first things that will often come to mind when choosing a time to move is the cost. The cost of moving changes from season to season. Your moving costs can actually vary up to 30 percent based on the season. Due to the fact that fewer people tend to move in winter, this is typically when you’ll find the cheapest housing rates. Mid-September through April are also when moving rates are usually the lowest. January is often the cheapest month to move since it is an off-month in the middle of winter.
The season you move is far from the only thing that will determine the cost of relocating. Things like a weekday vs. weekend move or time of day will also be large factors. In addition, it’s usually cheaper to move in the middle of a month since that’s when demand is lowest. Either way, sticking to a budget can definitely help.
Weather
Before you choose a season based solely off pricing, remember to think about the weather during that time of year. While winter could be a great time to move in Florida, consider the effects of cold weather if you’re heading out of state. Ice on the road could be a huge delay when it comes to transporting your items.
On the other hand, a Florida move during the summer heat could be brutal. This is especially important if you’re moving pets or items that are sensitive to heat. Plus, did we mention hurricane season? Fall or spring will be the safest options when it comes to avoiding difficult weather conditions.
Demand
The demand for homes is highest in summer. In fact, 70 percent of all moves happen during this time of year. This means you’re more likely to get a better price when selling your home, but moving costs will also be higher during this time.
Since many families are moving during this time, there is sure to be more competition for the housing market and moving resources. With that being said, you’ll want to plan far in advance when it comes to booking movers for a summer move. There are both pros and cons to choosing a high demand time to move, so this ultimately comes down to personal preference and goals.
Family and Work
While it’s important to keep everything mentioned above in mind, don’t forget to plan around your personal obligations. Is your work schedule open? If you’re moving with a family, will your children be in school?
Moving in the summer or during a school break can be a great solution to avoid uprooting children during the midst of a school year. At the end of the day, the flexibility of your schedule will play a large role in determining when you can smoothly transition to a new home.
Hire a White Glove Moving Company
We hope these thoughts help you pick the ideal time of year for your own move. When you’ve chosen the best season to move for you, consider hiring a full-service, white glove moving company like Megan’s Moving. We’ll be more than happy to assist you. Request a quote for your full-service move today!