HOMES + I N S I G H T
TIPS FOR A
Stress-Free Move! Julie D. Martin Real Estate Broker
The top five most stressful things in life are as follows: • Death of a loved one • Divorce • Major injury or illness • Job loss • And, yes, MOVING!
Most of these life situations come without a warning. Once in a while moving also comes suddenly, but, for the most part, most people do have an inkling that it’s coming up. That doesn’t make it completely stress-free, but the good thing about it, you can mitigate some of the damage by planning ahead. Even if you don’t know the exact date it will be, because you may be waiting to first find the home you’re moving to, you can still get a head start by preparing for it in advance. Whether your next move is this month, next year or sometime in the next decade (in which case, you maybe should get some scissors out to clip this article and save it for the future), here are some tips to make the journey easier on you and your family.
USE CHECKLISTS
Most good Realtors and Real Estate Lawyers have a checklist that they share with their clients to keep them on track. These lists should include which tasks need to be done and when. You can also find sample checklists online (check with national movers, for example). Not only do you need to know what to do, but who to contact, such as your utility companies for the home you’re leaving as well as the one you’re moving to. And don’t forget things like Amazon, Hello Fresh or your magazine subscriptions.
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DON’T CLOSE ON THE SAME DAY!
If you are selling a home as well as buying, getting bridge financing in place makes the whole process so much smoother. Even a few days in between moves makes a difference.
HIRE A PROFESSIONAL MOVER
This is always going to be easier, but it’s not in everyone’s budget.
ENLIST FRIENDS & FAMILY FOR HELP
If you aren’t hiring a moving company, line up dependable friends and family instead and call on their natural abilities. Some can help you pack your boxes and be the voice of reason when you are trying to decide what to take with you, what to sell and what to give away. Don’t forget that asking for help is a sign of strength. Most are willing to help out, especially if you load them up with pizza and their favourite beverages. The whole process will go much better if you are organized so that you can give simple tasks to each person, and they will be more willing to help if you let them know that all you need is to have them load the truck.
MAKE A PLAN FOR THE KIDDOS
Let’s face it, it’s always great to be able to delegate tasks. But, if doing chores isn’t a part of your children’s everyday life or if they aren’t quite old enough to pull their weight yet, now is not the time to teach them. See if they can stay a couple of nights with their grandparents or a good friend’s house. And maybe slack off a little on the screentime rules. Afterall, moving can be very stressful for kids, too.
DON’T FORGET TO THINK ABOUT PETS
It can be very traumatic for pets when there’s too much activity going on in the house. It would be ideal to take them to a pet sitter’s house for a few days in between your two homes.
