Threading a needle, stuffing an inflatable mattress back into the bag in which it came, and moving into an upstairs apartment all belong to the same frustrating category of things we would rather avoid doing.
However, especially if you are searching for an apartment, avoiding an upstairs move will seriously limit your chances of finding a home.
According to Adrian Goslett, regional director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, plot sizes are getting smaller and new sectional title blocks are only getting taller.
“Chances are that first-time buyers are likely to face at least one multi-story move within their lifetime.
“I would suggest that buyers hire professional movers to help them with these kinds of moves, as this will reduce the risk of damage to the property and/or their furniture, as well as personal injury,” said Goslett.
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To help buyers make sure this move run smoothly, RE/MAX of Southern Africa provides the following tips for moving in upstairs:
- Operation tape measure: To avoid an awkward tango between your three-seater sofa and the entrance to the elevator, measure all stairways and doorways beforehand to discover which items of furniture you will have to sell and which will be able to fit into your new home. Before you sell any furniture, remember that you can always remove a door from its hinges or use creative angles to wedge a large item through a tight space.
- Self-assembled furniture: For larger pieces of furniture, such as bookcases and dining room sets, opt for furniture that can be easily disassembled and reassembled once inside your upstairs apartment.
- Heavy lifting comes first: To make the best use of your energy reserves, tackle the largest and heaviest items first. The lighter items and boxes are easier to haul upstairs after a full day of moving.
- Bump-proof wrapping: To ensure that large items don’t get scuffed in the move, wrap them in sheets or bubble wrap – for carrying purposes, just make sure you leave space to grip these items.
- Work smarter, not harder: There are various methods to ease the process of carrying heavy items. For example, a shoulder dolly (a two-person strap) can make it easier to carry appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers. If your complex has an elevator, you could hire a dolly cart/hand truck for the day to cart your items from the car to your new apartment.
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