For many of us, moving causes great stress, a myriad of emotions and even some excitement. I recently listed, sold, packed up my home and moved to Charlottetown P.E.I. — all within just three months.
It wasn’t in the plan, not for a few years anyway, but the plan changed and I went along for the journey. And I couldn’t be happier!
This article concentrates on some of the things I have learned as I decluttered, packed and moved. Grab a coffee and get ready to be inspired to make your move the most organized and best one yet to find your new Home Sweet Home.
First step
Once you have decided to move, why not begin the long process of decluttering your home, even before you’re ready to list your home for sale. This will help you when you need to declutter to get ready for your Realtor to show your home to prospective buyers. Tackle each space on its own so it doesn’t seem overwhelming.
This is a perfect time to assess your belongings and decide if you are going to keep, donate or sell them. If you are looking to donate you can drop off items to your local Salvation Army, Mission Thrift Shop or any other small local thrift shop that helps in the community.
More places to donate
If you are truly not sure about keeping or getting rid of an item, my best advice is to keep it. You don’t want to have regrets after your move. If you decide afterwards that you don’t need it, then you can always donate or sell it.
Second step
The best thing I did to keep me organized through the crazy process is getting what I call my “Moving Bible.” I picked up a nice journal at the dollar store and it was perfect for the job.
It really kept me sane and I had everything I needed at my fingertips.
Some of the pages that I created to keep track of things were:
Old house:
- List of utilities — contact info and when I called to cancel them
- Lawyer info
- Agent info — info about listing the house
- Mortgage info
- A room-by-room list of what was in the room that had to leave, after I decided what I was keeping
- List of to-do’s to get my home ready for listing
New house:
- List of utilities — contact info to call and set up
- Lawyer info
- Agent info
- Mortgage info
- Home Inspection info
- A list of all rooms so I could include what pieces were going where
- Any notes on the gardens, potential work to be done
You can add any information to your Moving Bible that you feel will help you throughout your entire moving process.
Third step
In my Moving Bible, I also included my wish list of things I wanted my new home to have. Why not create your own list of what you would like? Rest assured, no one home is perfect and ticks all your boxes, but it is good to know what is negotiable and what isn’t. This is important information that your agent will require when searching the market for a home for you and your family.
Fourth step
The search is on. Your dream home awaits!
Your agent is armed with great information about the particular housing market that you are looking to buy into. Let them guide you, advise you and perhaps even show you some homes that you may not think are for you. You may be pleasantly surprised — as I was!
Once you have selected your home and the offer has been accepted, I like to return to the home, take pictures of the outside spaces and all the rooms and make notes on any ideas that come to mind. Don’t skip this step. It is an important one and will help you as you transition into your new home.
And as an extra bonus it keeps you excited.
Fifth step
Congrats! Your home has sold and now it’s time to pack!
Here are a few packing tips that might help:
- Buy Nothing Groups on Facebook can provide you with all the boxes and packing paper you need, along with friends and family who have recently moved. Moving boxes are a big expense so if you can get them for free that “frees” up some money for other expenses.
- Pack each room’s boxes and leave them in the room, well marked for the movers.
- I used green painter’s tape to mark on the box which room it was going to
Hopefully these five steps will provide you with some great tips to make your move a little less stressful.
I’ll end this article with a few things I like to do for the new homeowners of my old home, to help them feel welcome in their new home:
- A handwritten note welcoming them into the home and the community
- Leave any appliance info, warranties, etc.
- A list of local contacts that could help them with their new home — snow removal, grass cutting, handy man, painter, etc.
This little touch is very much appreciated by the new owners.
Hope your next move goes well!
Next month, I’ll share setting up your new home inside and out.
