While watching my sellers at the end stages of packing and moving, we had a few minutes to chat.
They were very organized and we started to make a list of things that needed to be taken care of when moving.
There were home inspections, deciding what needed to be packed, what needed to be sold what needed to be donated and what needed to be removed and thrown away.
When planning to donate, find out if they pick up and how much leeway time is needed. The charities are happy to take your usuable furnishing but they don't have the staff...you may have to wait three weeks to get on there schedule.
Some of those organizations to check out are Second Chance, Goodwill, Purple Heart and DAV.
Before you contact them, you might want to check with friends, family or neighbors who may enjoy owning the things you are not able to take with you.
This family told me of a young couple, just starting house, who were delighted to take her kitchen utensils, silverware, pots, pans and full sets of china.
Find out if the new buyers want you to leave things like tools, ladders, shelving, trash cans lawnmower and snow blowers.
If moving to Florida or a condo...you will have no use for them.
Talk to the family and find out who will be taking over the next holiday dinner.
That may be the perfect person to give the turkey platter, big roasting pan and platters.
So many things can be given away and bring joy to others. Satisfaction for the giver and good economics and re-purposing.
Think of who may want the toys, the piano, or grandma's antique Singer sewing machine...the one with the working foot control.
As a buyer, if you are interested in any of these things, be sure to ask your Realtor to put it in writing.
Leave some large mailable folders with forwarding address and contact number for future mail.
My sellers said, in hindsight, they would have started getting rid of things much sooner. One suggestion was to have a charitable pickup weekly long before you are ready to move. A lot easier to put out on a regular schedule, rather than wait to the end when you need to "dump" a lot of items just because of the timing.
What suggestions do you have when it's time to move?
Thinking of moving and selling your home
Call Margaret Rome
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