Move is a four-letter word for a reason, but you can turn this burden into a blessing by following these three tips.
Tip #1: Start Early
As soon as you even begin thinking about putting your house on the market, start packing. The average American home contains 300,000 items. As you can imagine (and are about to find out firsthand!), to thoughtfully and strategically sort through those 300,000 items takes the one thing most of us can’t seem to find enough of: time.
But believe me, the more time spent on the front end of the moving process, the more time you gain on the back end, which will make moving into your new home much easier. (And do you really want the movers to pack up your drawer full of take-out menus and individually wrapped cutlery?)
If possible, take a few days off from work to focus your attention on getting your home organized. If you want to make double the progress or if you aren’t sure how to get started schedule a one-on-one organizing session. We’ll get through those 300,000 items together!
Tip #2: Keep What Sparks Joy
Can you imagine what it will feel like to only unpack items you love in your new home? Marie Kondo’s famous tidying method is all about making intentional decisions about which items you keep and which you are ready to let go of.
At its core, the decision is simple: keep what sparks joy and discard (which includes donating or reselling) all the rest. Take time to envision what you want your new home to look and feel like. Use that vision to guide your decision making during the packing & purging process.
Tip #3: Pack it Up
Less stuff makes a home feel larger and more spacious, key selling points for buyers. Depersonalizing your space also helps potential buyers see themselves living there thus leading to more and better offers. Chris Welch of Badger Box Mobile Storage will deliver a portable storage unit right to your doorstep to make the packing process go even smoother.
I generally recommend packing up at least 50% of your belongings before your first showing.
Donate or Resell?
Contact me for a copy of my Local Consignment and Donation Guide to help you find great homes for all those items that have been sitting in a box in your garage since the last time you moved. (Yes, I’m talking about you, miscellaneous cooking gadgets and wedding gifts that have never been used!)
Helping people create homes they feel good about returning to at the end of the day is what my business is all about. If you need support at any point in your moving journey, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.