Posts Tagged ‘relocation’

Lots of people these days are following that motto and trying to live a life of less; less junk, less clutter, less stress and less house. So how do you downsize your world when you’ve spent your life accumulating stuff?   Planning your space before you downsize is essential; downsizing requires some careful thought!

Whether you are a baby-boomer having to move your parents or a family who wants to downsize from the stress of a large home, to people wanting to plan a second home on a small scale, or even for people just wanting to have less to manage in their current home. Empty nesters and not-so-empty-nesters alike will find tried and true principles to get them through the challenges. Downsizing doesn’t have to mean losing your style either. In fact, when you do this right, you can end up with even more style with less stuff.

If downsizing is in the foreseeable future for you or a parent, here are seven ways to pare down the possessions. If downsizing seems daunting, remember this: if the home will be placed on the market, you’ll likely have to cut clutter nonetheless.

Plan backwards from moving day. If you have a clear idea when you (or a parent) are planning to move, start downsizing three months prior. It sounds taxing, but tackling every room (and/or garage, basement or attic) in one fell swoop is more challenging, if not impossible – especially for homeowners who’ve stayed put for years. Sorting through one room at a time is best.

Write a list of all the items you love and can’t live without; it will help you bid adieu to things that didn’t make the list. It’s hard to persuade people they can’t take everything with them, but by keeping what’s on your wish list, you won’t be upset about the things you can’t keep.

Stick to the OHIO rule. “Only handle it once.” Avoid placing items in “maybe” piles, particularly when helping a parent who may have a difficult time letting go. Ask yourself or your parent if they would replace the item if it disappeared – this will make the process feel much less like a trashing of beloved possessions.

Remember more isn’t always better. We all have items we’re saving “just in case” the original breaks. Don’t be afraid to purge duplicates. The same applies to clothing – avoid holding on to garments that no longer fit, but might “one day.”

Get a feel for the size of your new rooms by comparing them to rooms of similar dimensions in your present home. For instance, your living-room-to-be might be roughly the same size as your current bedroom. You may think you can squeeze in two sofas, but this kind of reality check could help you realize that only one will fit comfortably.

Get cash for your castoffs. Remember the three-month rule? If you’re planning to sell an item, start early – some things may not move as quickly as you’d like, and you don’t want to be stuck with items you no longer want come moving day. Keep in mind that eBay charges a selling fee, and items like shoes or books tend to languish on Craigslist.

Contact an auction house. If you or your parent has an assortment of valuable items, like antique furniture or artwork, coin and stamp collections, et. al. consider enlisting an auction house rather than an antique dealer – dealers want the most bang for their buck, not yours. Compile a large lot so the appraiser can assess items in one visit. An estate sales group can help facilitate the sale or auction of high-end belongings, too.

Donate as much as you can. Donating items to charitable organizations can make parting with possessions much more manageable. In many areas, the Salvation Army is available to transport big-ticket items like furniture or appliances. Other house wares in good condition can be donated to Goodwill or a local charity.

Filed under: Blog, Down Sizing, Exclusive Buyer Agent, First Time Homebuyers, Home Buyer Advice, Home Buyers, Kim Around the Web, Real Estate, Relocation by Kim Bregman
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Moving into a new house is exciting, but the list of “to dos” can be overwhelming. You not only have to pack and prep the new house, but you have to tie up all the loose ends at the old place. Here are 10 tasks that are easily overlooked when moving into a new home – if you take care of these, you’ll have a leg up on moving day.

1. CHANGE THE EXTERIOR LOCKS: You really don’t know who else has keys to your home, so change the locks. That ensures you’re the only person who has access. Install new deadbolts yourself for as little as $10 per lock, or call a locksmith.

2. STEAM CLEAN CARPETS AND FLOORS: Do this before you move your furniture in, and your new home life will be off to a fresh start. You can pay a professional carpet cleaning service — you’ll pay about $50 per room; most services require a minimum of about $100 before they’ll come out — or you can rent a steam cleaner for about $30 per day and do the work yourself.

3. PAINT: It’s so much easier to paint an empty home than a full one. If you need to touch up paint, or want to change the wall color, do it before the moving trailer arrives with your furniture.

3. HAVE YOUR WINDOWS CLEANED INSIDE AND OUT: Your home will never be this empty again and it is the best time to start with a “clean slate”. Don’t forget the mirrors, baseboards, fans and windowsills while you are at it.

4. THOROUGHLY CLEAN ALL CABINETRY INSIDE AND OUT: Another no-brainer before you move in your dishes and bathroom supplies. Make sure to wipe inside and out, preferably with a non-toxic cleaner, and replace shelf and lining paper if necessary. Run a phantom load in the dishwasher and washing machine, clean out the oven if it needs it, and don’t forget the refrigerator and freezer. If possible, hire a cleaning service to help you get it all done. If you aren’t able to do the cleaning prior to unloading the moving van, hiring a cleaning service will be even more helpful.

 5.  INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO THE CIRCUIT BREAKER BOX AND MAIN WATER VALVE.

If the circuit box(s) are not already labeled, it’s a good idea to figure out which fuses control what parts of your house and label them accordingly. This will take two people: One to stand in the room where the power is supposed to go off, the other to trip the fuses and yell, “Did that work? How about now?”

You will also want to know how to turn off your main water valve if you have a plumbing emergency, if a hurricane or tornado is headed your way, or if you’re going out of town. Just locate the valve — it could be inside or outside your house — and turn the knob until it’s off. Test it by turning on any faucet in the house; no water should come out.

6. CHANGE ALL THE BATTERIES and CO2 IN YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS: No one will know when this was last done and it will be a good reminder that they need to be changed each your on the anniversary of purchasing your home.

7. GET A FRESH FIRE EXTINGUISHER FOR UNDER THE KITCHEN SINK and develop a family exit strategy in case of a fire. Rehearse this so that everyone is comfortable where all the new exits to the home are.

8. PROGRAM THE LOCAL POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS INTO YOUR PHONE.

9. INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO THE LOCAL MARKET: It’s a good idea to check out the local market and get a few staples. Between you, your family, the movers and any friends who are helping you, someone’s bound to get thirsty or hungry during the move. Why not be ready with a refrigerator full of cold beverages, sandwich supplies and other snacks? And don’t forget to grab some disposable plates, cups, and napkins, paper towels, trash bags and toilet paper while you’re at it.

10. DO SOME “YELPING” AROUND:Figure out what restaurants deliver because you are going to feel filthy and exhausted when moving day comes around.

Filed under: Blog, Home Buyer Advice, Home Buyers, Real Estate, Relocation by Kim Bregman
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