Moving Essentials: Why You Need an "Open First" Box and Carry-On Suitcase for Your Next Move

Moving day can be overwhelming, especially when you're settling into a new home with boxes everywhere. One way to ease the transition is by preparing an “Open First” box and a carry-on suitcase, stocked with essentials to make your first day (and night) as smooth as possible. Here’s what you need to include in each, along with a detailed checklist to help you pack smart.

What is an "Open First" Box?

The “Open First” box is designed to hold all the essential items you'll need to set up your new home right away. Think of it as your first line of defense against chaos: everything inside should help you start living in your new space before you’ve even unpacked the majority of your belongings. Here’s a complete breakdown of what to pack.

Toiletries and Personal Care

Moving can leave you feeling like you’ve been on an overnight adventure, so having personal care items ready is a must. Include:

• Hand soap and hand sanitizer

• Toilet paper (two rolls, just in case!)

• Shampoo, conditioner, and body soap

• Towels and washcloths

• Hairbrush or comb

• Basic first-aid items and any essential medications (band-aids, pain reliever, prescriptions)

• Laundry detergent pods for any immediate laundry needs

Basic Kitchen Items

You won’t want to unpack every pot and pan on your first night, so pack only the basics:

• Two plates, cups, and sets of cutlery

• One or two multi-use utensils (like a spatula or knife)

• Small pot and pan for simple meals

• Tupperware style storage container

• Paper towels or dishcloth

• Coffee maker or kettle (if you can’t go without your morning coffee), plus coffee or tea supplies

• Coffee filters (if needed)

• Snacks and quick meals (apples, granola bars, or chicken soup)

• Water bottle to stay hydrated

• Dish soap for quick cleanups

Cleaning Supplies

You may want to give surfaces a quick clean before unpacking fully. Include these basics:

• Disinfectant wipes or spray

• Trash bags for immediate disposal needs

• Multi-surface cleaner (such as Mr. Clean)

• Microfiber cloth and sponge

• Broom and dustpan for sweeping up dust or debris

Basic Tools and Equipment

Sometimes furniture or electronics need quick adjustments, so pack a few essential tools:

• Sharpie marker for labeling or notes

• Scissors or box cutter for opening boxes

• Flashlight for any poorly lit areas

• Basic toolkit (screwdriver, wrench)

• Duct tape for quick fixes

• Measuring tape for furniture placement

• Pen and notepad for jotting down notes or measurements

• Moving checklist and planner to stay organized

What to Pack in Your Carry-On Suitcase

Your carry-on suitcase should act like an overnight bag, containing items that you'll need immediate access to during and right after the move. Think of it as preparing for a 3 day trip: pack items for comfort, personal needs, and any crucial documents.

Clothing and Comfort Items

A change of clothes and a few comfort items can make a big difference when you’re moving in:

• Sweats, a change of clothes, and socks for each person

• Basic bedding (sheets, blanket, pillow) for an initial comfortable night

• Flip-flops or slippers for convenience

• A jacket or sweater in case the weather is cool

Important Documents and Small Valuables

Keep these close to avoid losing anything important during the move:

• IDs, passports, and essential paperwork

• Wallet and keys 

• Phone charger to keep your phone ready for contacts and directions

• Laptop, mouse, and charger for work or entertainment needs

Why This Packing Strategy Works

Having an “Open First” box and carry-on suitcase keeps the most essential items in two easily accessible places. The “Open First” box ensures you can immediately begin settling in, setting up the bathroom, kitchen, and any essential living spaces. Meanwhile, the carry-on suitcase acts like an emergency overnight bag—perfect for the initial transition period, keeping personal items close at hand.

Packing these essentials can make the first day in your new home less stressful and help you avoid digging through endless boxes. This way, you can focus on enjoying your new space rather than scrambling to find the basics!

Complete "Open First" Box and Carry-On Suitcase Checklist

Open First Box

• Toiletries and Personal Care: Hand soap, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, towels, hairbrush, first-aid, and laundry pods.

• Kitchen Items: Two sets of plates, cups, cutlery, small pot, pan, storage container, coffee maker, snacks, water bottle, dish soap.

• Cleaning Supplies: Disinfectant wipes, trash bags, multi-surface cleaner, microfiber cloth, sponge, broom, dustpan.

• Tools and Equipment: Sharpie, scissors, flashlight, basic toolkit, duct tape, measuring tape, pen, notepad, moving checklist and planner.

Carry-On Suitcase

• Clothing and Comfort: Sweats, change of clothes, bedding, flip-flops, jacket.

• Documents and Valuables: IDs, passports, wallet, keys, phone charger, laptop, and chargers.

Source: Greater Vancouver Realtors - October 2024

Home sales registered on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver1 declined 3.8 per cent year over year in September, suggesting recent reductions in borrowing costs are having a limited effect in spurring demand so far.

Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR)2 reports that residential sales in the region totalled 1,852 in September 2024, a 3.8 per cent decrease from the 1,926 sales recorded in September 2023. This was 26 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (2,502).

“Real estate watchers have been monitoring the data for signs of renewed strength in demand in response to recent mortgage rate reductions, but the September figures don’t offer the signal that many are watching for,” Andrew Lis, GVR’s director of economics and data analytics said.

“Sales continue trending roughly 25 per cent below the ten-year seasonal average in the region, which, believe it or not, is a trend that has been in place for a few years now. With the September data, sales are now tracking slightly below our forecast however, but we remain optimistic sales will still end 2024 higher than 2023.”

There were 6,144 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in September 2024. This represents a 12.8 per cent increase compared to the 5,446 properties listed in September 2023. This was also 16.7 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average (5,266).

The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 14,932, a 31.2 per cent increase compared to September 2023 (11,382). This is 24.2 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average (12,027).

Across all detached, attached and apartment property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for September 2024 is 12.8 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 9.1 per cent for detached homes, 16.9 per cent for attached, and 14.6 per cent for apartments.

Analysis of the historical data suggests downward pressure on home prices occurs when the ratio dips below 12 per cent for a sustained period, while home prices often experience upward pressure when it surpasses 20 per cent over several months.

“With some buyers choosing to stay on the sidelines, inventory levels have sustained the healthy gains achieved over the course of this year, providing much more selection to anyone searching for a home,” Lis said.

'With all this choice available, prices have trended sideways for the past few months. The September figures, however, are now showing modest declines across all segments on a month over month basis. This downward pressure on prices is a result of sales not keeping pace with the number of newly listed properties coming to market, which has now put the overall market on the cusp of a buyers’ market. With two more policy rate decisions to go this year, and all signs pointing to further reductions, it’s not inconceivable that demand may still pick up later this fall should buyers step off the sidelines.”

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,179,700. This represents a 1.8 per cent decrease over September 2023 and a 1.4 per cent decrease compared to August 2024.

Sales of detached homes in September 2024 reached 516, a 9.8 per cent decrease from the 572 detached sales recorded in September 2023. The benchmark price for a detached home is $2,022,200. This represents a 0.5 per cent increase from September 2023 and a 1.3 per cent decrease compared to August 2024.

Sales of apartment homes reached 940 in September 2024, a 4.9 per cent decrease compared to the 988 sales in September 2023. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $762,000. This represents a 0.8 per cent decrease from September 2023 and a 0.8 per cent decrease compared to August 2024.

Attached home sales in September 2024 totalled 378, a 7.4 per cent increase compared to the 352 sales in September 2023. The benchmark price of a townhouse is $1,099,200. This represents a 0.5 per cent decrease from September 2023 and a 1.8 per cent decrease compared to August 2024.

In the current North Shore real estate market, one trend stands out: buyers are looking for "move-in ready" homes. Moving is already stressful, and most buyers don't want to deal with renovations after they move in. With the rising cost of materials and inflation, many people simply don’t have the money or time for updates.

A few years ago, "reno flipping"—where buyers would purchase homes, renovate them, and quickly resell for a profit—was huge. But with material costs soaring and new flipping taxes in place, it’s not as popular now. Buyers today are more focused on finding homes that are ready to live in, and they’re often willing to opt for smaller updated homes over larger ones that need work.

If you're selling an older property without recent updates, it’s important to adjust your expectations. Homes needing renovations tend to sell for less because buyers will factor in the cost and effort required to update them.

A smart strategy for homeowners is to handle one update per year. By spreading out the investment, your home will be in better shape when it’s time to sell. Stick to neutral, timeless upgrades rather than going overboard with trendy designs.

There are also some tricks and tips to make your home appear more updated without major renovations—but that’s a topic for another blog. For now, just keep in mind that small, consistent improvements can make a big difference when it comes to attracting buyers in today’s market.