Every 3 Years, Pretend Like You’re Moving

I spend a considerable amount of time helping people buy and sell homes in the Tri-Valley of Northern California. When folks need to move due to job relocation, a growing family, downsizing or whatever, they share a few common traits. They get into action, and usually rather quickly. Depending upon the urgency of their situation, that can be highly stressful.

Here’s a list of what I see them do, and what we might all consider to make any future move, (planned or otherwise), a little less traumatic. I notice that as people make it through the declutter-to-move stage, their sense of paring back and organization spills over to other areas of their life. When they arrive at their new destination, it’s truly a fresh start, with a lighter load of ‘baggage’ to begin anew.

I started to think about how liberating that freedom from ‘stuff’ lifestyle might be if we all behaved as if we were ready to move. No storage lockers for junk we never use! No garages so full that cars don’t fit in! No tool sheds so stuffed that who could find a tool! No Christmas cards saved from 1985! Our junk weighs us down, and then the procrastination about dealing with it eventually comes crashing down when really have to move for one reason or another. Why not be in a perpetual state of readiness, thereby relieving the pressure when the time really comes? So, here goes:

FORMULATE A PLAN

At a high level, here are the things you’ll need to address:

1) what living environment do you need next (real or contrived if you’re subscribing to my imaginary notion

2) the order in which things need to happen – your timeline

3) your stuff

4) how and when you need to deal with your stuff

5) the condition of your property inside and out

When you know where you’re headed, whether it’s to a larger space or a smaller one, it’s decision time. Methodically go room to room and determine what you’ll take to the next place, and what won’t fit or you no longer need. Do you like your belongings enough to physically move them to the next place, or to pay someone else to? It just makes sense to ask yourself these questions before moving time arrives. Who wants to cart that worn out furniture to the next home, if you really don’t even like it anymore? Get rid of it now!

For the purpose of this blog, we’ll assume you’ve figured out #1, or you wouldn’t need any of this. But if you want to be move-ready anytime life throws you an opportunity or a curve ball, read on.

LAYOUT A TIMELINE

Working backwards is always a sound idea. If you have a legitimate move date, great. If not, what’s your ideal time based on vacation plans, weather, kid’s school schedules? Plotting your move date in reverse helps make sure you allow ample time to get everything on your list accomplished.

1) How many days to unload and organize your new home?

2) How long to transport your things from the house you’re leaving to the new one?

3) Anticipate the week your house will first be on the market. Now you know your target date for having everything you don’t need, packed and out of the way so your house can be ready for showings.

4) Make a list of repairs, and clean-up items for the house and yard. Walk room to room with a clipboard and note any deficiencies.

5) Based on necessary lead time to complete, fit these into your calendar with a mindful eye on your ultimate target date.

YOUR STUFF You should be able to put each of your things into one of these 5 categories:

1) Discard. It has no use to you, or probably to anyone else. You don’t want to end up paying to have it moved, only to throw it away later!

2) Keep (Need Now). These are the things you use all the time, and will need immediately upon moving, or that may offer some visual appeal while your house is on the market.

3) Keep (and Pack). Can’t live without these things, but you don’t need them while the house is being shown. Photo albums, trophies, collections, off-season sports equipment, holiday decorations, beach towels. You get the idea. But as you touch each of these items, check that it doesn’t really belong in another category.

4) Sell. It’s a very useable item, just not for you! There are always costs associated with moving, so why not turn some of your castoffs to cash with a garage sale or postings on Craig’s List. Keep your camera handy while you're sorting things through so you can quickly post your items when the job of sorting is complete.

5) Give Away. General rule of thumb – if you haven’t used it in a year, chances are you won’t. Is there someone else who could put it to good use? Does it have sentimental value to another family member?

HOW AND WHEN TO DEAL WITH YOUR STUFF

1) Post your items for sale online and stash the money for your subsequent move-in expenses.

2) Pack up things to keep that you don’t need now. List the contents of the box on an index card, then give the box a name (guest room, den, linen closet, attic) and a number. Put the name and number on the box, so you or your movers will know where it goes next. Keep the index cards handy for easy reference after you actual move date.

3) Return any borrowed items. Have kids who’ve long since left the nest come reclaim their Star Wars Collectibles, or high school yearbooks. If it’s not yours, by all means don’t move it to the next place!

4) Give yourself a target date for that garage sale. Ideally, it will occur after you’ve posted your Craig’s List items for a couple of weeks, so anything unsold can be added to the yard sale.

5) Arrange in advance for pick-up or drop off of any remaining items to your local thrift shop or charity.

6) When you’re finished, you should be left with only those things you’ll still need to use while your house is listed. It’s much easier to see what needs to be done in terms of repairs, touch-ups or finally, staging once all the 'stuff' is thinned out.

7) Having this step out of the way will keep your life much simpler while all the other pieces of the home sale and search are on your agenda.

WALK AROUND, MAKE A LIST

1) It is now SO much easier to address physical property defects or blemishes when you’re not amidst a sea of chaos, and trying to move so many extra and non-essential things out of the way while you work.

2) Address the exterior of your house and property. We’ve all heard about curb appeal. Make sure that folks won’t drive by - they’ll stop! Remove debris, trim trees and make the outside truly inviting. Freshen paint on decks and fencing.

3) Get a pest inspection! You don’t want to paint areas that have wood rot, or termite damage. Get those areas handled in advance so corrective action later doesn’t undo your hard work.

4) Take care of any minor repairs. Paint any rooms that look shabby. Click here for a full list of things to do to prepare your home for sale.

If you ultimately decide to move, wow. You’re all set! Except that you’ll need to hire a Realtor. I’d be happy to help you with your Tri Valley home sale and purchase. If you’re getting stuck on the preparation part, no worries. I’m here to help you put your plan in action.

And you end up going no where, think how much you’ll enjoy living in your home clutter-free and unencumbered.