Relocating can be exciting, as you’re starting a new chapter in your life. However it can also be incredibly stressful, with issues cropping up unexpectedly at any time. While a difficult task, it can definitely be made easier with some careful preparation and organization.
The first step towards relocating is to answer the following questions:
- Do you need to leave right now? Or do you have children that need to finish up the schoolyear?
- Will you be renting or looking to buy?
- Do you have a home to sell or lease?
- If selling, do you need to hire professionals to paint, declutter or get the house market-ready?
- Do you require temporary housing?
The answers to these questions will dictate how to precede with the rest of your relocation plans.
Some steps to make moving easier include:
• Getting in touch with a real estate agent who knows the local market. Having an experienced agent who is able to assist in both selling your current home and finding new housing will make the process a lot easier. Having a local agent will enable you to have valuable insider information that non-locals would not possess about the market there.
• Researching home prices and market trends in the area you are planning to move to. This will not only prevent sticker shock, but will allow you to know what to expect in that real estate market. Home prices may be higher than expected, but some things may offset that price such as property taxes – consider the whole picture when looking at homes in the area.
• Decluttering your home before putting your house on the market. This will make it easier to stage your home, while also helping you get rid of items that shouldn’t be in your life anymore. Sell or donate items that you don’t want and pack up items that you want but aren’t currently using (for example, if you’re moving in the spring, pack up your winter clothing).
• Gathering help. What may seem like a small endeavor can easily become overwhelming. You may think that packing up your home may only take a couple hours, but it’s tiring and will only add to your stress. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family and friends, or hire a moving company to do the heavy lifting.
• Giving yourself enough time. Getting an early start will remove the stress that comes with last-minute packing. Prepare time for moving, packing, selling, putting together necessary documents and scheduling appointments to turn off your electricity, gas, water and internet.
• Labeling everything. When packing up your possessions, be sure to label the boxes, with not only what’s in the box but what room to put it in. If you’re moving into a multi-level home, you can even note what floor the box should be taken to. This will make it easier for you to track your belongings.
While moving can be a challenge, hopefully these tips will make things a little bit easier for you. Tailored Move can help with all your moving needs – from preparing to sell to after the move. We’ve got what it takes to make your move as seamless and stress-free as possible.