Pros and Cons of Moving During Summer

Is summer a good time to move?

There are pros and cons to moving during the summer, so before you make your plans, take them into consideration. If you have to move in the summer, follow our suggestions for making the move easier and more affordable.

Pros

It’s a Seller’s Market

If you own your home and plan to sell it, you’re in luck when moving during summer. This time of year tends to be a seller’s market, when home prices rise. After all, more people move during the summer than any other time of the year, and those who can buy homes are looking for their next place. Work with a good real estate agent and you may get a premium on your current home.

The Kids are Out of School

Most schools schedule plenty of time off during the summer, generally between two and three months. This offers a couple of advantages. If your children are old enough, they can help with packing. Your move also won’t interrupt their school year, and they won’t have to miss school days as you make the trek to your new home.

You Don’t Have to Move in Snow

If you live in an especially cold part of the country, moving in the winter may simply be out of the question. You don’t want to trudge through snow, slip on ice, or drive during a blizzard. Choose a time during the summer when the weather isn’t too hot or humid, and you should have a much more comfortable and convenient move.

The Storage Prices are Affordable

Self storage prices stay fairly steady during the year, but at the end of summer, when people put their beach gear, swimming pool toys, and surfboards in storage, prices tend to rise. Move near the beginning or middle of summer, and prices should still be reasonable on that helpful unit.

Cons

It’s Not a Buyer’s Market

Yes, you’ll make more on your home if you sell in the summer, but you also may end up paying more for the new home you purchase.

Rents are Higher

If you are a renter, you can expect the monthly rent at your new place to be higher than if you moved at a different time of the year. Demands for rentals is higher, and so prices tend to go up.

Movers and Truck Rentals are More Expensive

Since more people move during the summer, the demand for moving services and rental trucks increases, and prices go up.

If you hire movers, pack all your boxes yourself. This will be one less thing you’ll have to pay the movers to do. If you’re doing the move yourself and plan to rent a truck, make sure you rent one a few weeks in advance. Call several truck rental companies to compare prices, and also ask how much the price will be on different days. Weekends are usually more expensive.

You Have to Deal With Moving in the Heat

If you live somewhere with scorching summers, a summer move can be tough. To make it easier, stay hydrated. Make sure you have plenty of bottled water for everyone. Rest, or drive, during the hottest hours of the day. Just make sure your rental truck has air conditioning. Do the actual lifting and box moving in the early morning or at night, after the sun has set.

The Storage Prices are Higher

As we mentioned, self storage prices tend to go up at the end of summer, so schedule your move earlier in the season.

We hope this helps you decide if you want to move in the summer or not. If you have to, we hope it helps you with a safer, more enjoyable, and more affordable move.