Lighten up!

The cost of an interstate move is determined by three factors:

1. Distance of move

2. Weight of shipment

3. Special services rendered

There is one factor, in particular, that a homeowner has some control over....weight. If you or your client is contemplating a state-to-state move, and are concerned about pricing, it's time to consider lightening the load.

Stage Your Home
Coincidentally, lightening the load can also generate more profit if used in conjunction with staging a home. Reducing clutter and removing furniture can prepare a home for a quicker sale. In addition, staging a home often increases the sale price of the home.

Where do you start? Staging experts recommend removing up to 50% of your furniture to make your home appear more spacious. Most people have more furniture than they need or use. Removing personal items, like knickknacks and photos, allows the potential homebuyers to visualize themselves in the home without being impeded by the memories of the current owners.

Edit Your Possessions
Creating a simpler and less chaotic lifestyle, even without the prospect of moving, can be rewarding but requires some discipline. There are general rules to help you decide how to edit your possessions...

1. If you haven't used something in three months, box it up.

2. If you haven't used something in a year, sell it or give it away!

3. Storage is also an option.

All of the full-service van line companies that The Move Advocate works with have their own storage facilities. Before opting for storage solutions, however, calculate the cost of storage and balance that with the value of what you will be storing. Unless the items have significant financial or emotional value, it might make more sense to sell or give them away.

Make Charity Donations
Don't forget that any items donated to qualified charitable organizations are tax deductible. Any items donated to charity must be in "good or better" condition. This rule was put in place to keep people from claiming deductions for items that should have been thrown in the garbage! If you donate your items to charity ask for a receipt, keep a record of what you have donated, and assign "fair market value" to the items. It is not a bad idea to get out your digital camera and snap a few photos for your records.

"Lighten up" to stage your home for greater profit and quicker sale.

"Lighten up" to decrease the cost of your shipment to your new home.

"Lighten up" because it's time for spring cleaning and it's tax time!

Lightening the load is a financial win-win and many who've practiced the discipline of editing their possessions have found a freedom from chaos that is emotionally and spiritually freeing.