Even when it’s a positive change, moving is often one of life’s more stressful changes. Here are seven steps to make the process of selling your home a bit easier.
1. Start packing now. You likely have lots of things you’re not using right now, like winter clothes and the like. If you’re planning to put your home on the market or already have, it’s a good idea to start packing now. Not only will this make the move easier once you’ve accepted an offer on your home, it’ll make your closets look neater and roomier when buyers look at your house. (And buyers LOVE to see extra storage space!)
2. Give pets extra TLC. Disrupting your pet’s routine can be stressful for them and for you. Try to make the time enjoyable for them. You might enlist the help of a trusted teen or other helper to do some extra dog walking or take the dog to the park during home showings. There are also plenty of places that now offer doggy day care so your pets have a fun place to go when your house is being shown.
3. Give yourself a little TLC. Try to treat yourself and get some downtime while your home’s on the market. You might consider spending a weekend away when your Realtor is planning an open house or taking the family to the movies when you have several showings scheduled. This way when you leave for showings it feels more like a treat than a chore.
4. Don’t do it all yourself. Keeping your home in “show condition” is exhausting, and often is just unrealistic. Many people hire cleaners during the time their home is on the market to ease the strain. If you can’t or don’t wish to do so, you might talk with everyone in the household about how they can pitch in to help keep the house clean.
5. Be prepared for last-minute showing requests. Although we all prefer for home buyers to provide adequate notice when visiting the house, it sometimes doesn’t happen. If you’re going to be out for a day or longer, it’s a good idea to do a small bit of cleaning before headed out, just in case of a showing. That way you don’t feel the need to rush home and prepare the house if someone calls and requests a showing while you’re out. But try not to sweat it. In reality, if there are a few dirty dishes in the sink it’s probably not going to be a deal breaker.
6. Watch for the next hazardous waste day. When you’re in the midst of a big move, the last thing you want to worry about is how to dispose of those old paint cans and bug spray that have been collecting dust in the garage. If you’re planning a move, watch your local paper for hazardous waste day so you can safely get rid of these items well before the move. Most communities have hazardous waste days periodically so residents can dispose of those materials in a responsible manner.
7. Schedule a bit of time off. There’s always last-minute things like getting a smoke certificate or final water meter reading that need to be done in the days preceding your move. It’s often a good idea to schedule some extra time off work as a buffer to make it easier for you to get these things done.
What other things have you found helpful for reducing stress during a move? I’d love to hear from you!