When To Make the Move: Are You Real Estate Ready?
There are many different reasons to uproot and find a new home, but a few stand out: a new job, retirement, schools, or buying a home. Moving can be a stressful time, so preparation and planning is essential. Before deciding to move, however, the reasons need to be clear, and the benefits weighed carefully. Take time to review all your options and reasons for moving. Planning is the next step.
Preparation
Time horizons are the first step in good planning and preparation. Giving yourself adequate time will lessen the chances of mistakes you might make in you move, and make it less stressful on you and your family. To avoid distractions at a new job, move well in advance and make sure if you now have a different commute, it is one you can easily work with. You will also need to give notice if renting, or market your home in selling, and find your new digs. Utility companies need to be notified, and arrangements made for final bill payments. Having an email address and telephone number (or cell) that moves with you is very useful, because maintaining communications is essential. You can keep friends and family informed with social media. Having time laid out is the most important part of the planning process.
The Move
Having mapped out a time frame, create a list of household items, noting anything of value for insurance purposes. Taking photos of any valuable items is recommended in case things go missing, or are broken. Using the services of a professional moving company is a good idea if you are moving abroad. They will look after the packing and the paper-work. If you are going to pack items yourself, you will need large boxes, duct tape, and bubble wrap. Blankets, towels and pillows are also a useful free source of padding. Keep heavy items away from fragile items when packing, and make sure breakable objects are very well insulated from damage during the move. Always place them in the center of boxes with similar light-weight items, and do not place heavy boxes on top of them. Find an Extra Space Storage facility to store bulkier items that you might not need right away, this will allow you to focus on only the necessary items and keep other furniture safe from damage.
Settling In
Having moved into your new accommodation or home, establish communications such as internet and telephone immediately, or preferably in advance of the move. Then contact the utility companies for electricity, gas and water to make sure they are turned on and billing details updated. When you unpack, do it by room furthest from the entrance to allow a clear path, and immediately discard boxes and wrapping materials. Settling in to a new place is a intricate process so be patient, and everything will eventually fall into place.
Moving can be a scary time for some. It is a time to transition and start fresh. Give yourself the time necessary to prepare and settle in, and remember that moving is something that just takes time. Follow these tips and your next move will be more successful than the last.