Here’s another post taken from my ‘News You Can Use’ Preferred Client publication. ____________________________________________________________________________________

Moving can be one of life’s most stressful events. Here are some ideas to help make it as painless as possible.

Decide What Not To Pack
Moving offers a great opportunity to declutter your life and figure out which items you don’t want or need to take with you. Decide what you need or want to keep and what you want to give away, throw away, or sell.

Get Packing Materials
Whether you’re using professional movers or not, you’ll need to get packing materials. Bookstores and liquor stores often have strong boxes they don’t want — call on the day of a delivery to ask for them.

Draw A Floor Plan And Label
Create a plan of your new home that you can use as a guide throughout the moving process. Label each of your boxes according to this plan and clearly list what’s in each of the boxes.

What To Pack First
The first things to pack are those you don’t need that often. Books, out-of-season clothes, and memorabilia make good candidates to go into boxes right away. So do seldom-used kitchen pots, pans, china, and bake ware.

Pack “Essentials” Boxes
Mark some boxes as “essentials” and put in them the things you will likely need on your first night and following morning in your new home; then you won’t waste time (and valuable energy) trying to find important things. A few dishes and utensils, some toilet paper and paper towel, and your coffee maker are good items to include.

Food…And House Plants
Food items – particularly those from the freezer and refrigerator – aren’t easily stored, so try to use up as much of them as you can before you move. Condiments, dairy products, and other time-sensitive food items that spoil easily are best consumed rather than moved. Place your house plants in large plastic bags to avoid dirt spilling and to protect them from the elements during your move.

///…CP

Here’s another post taken from my ‘News You Can Use’ Preferred Client publication. ____________________________________________________________________________________

Few things are more dreaded than moving day, but new storage solutions can ease some of the stress.

Flexible Timeline If you have a flexible schedule for your next move, a POD (or portable on-demand storage) might be the perfect choice for you. PODs are large shipping-like containers that allow you to pack and unpack at your own pace.  The company will drop the container on your driveway, you load it, and they will pick it up and deliver it to your next location, or store it until you’re ready. PODs are closer to the ground – often at ground level – so they tend to be easier to load and unload than traditional storage methods like moving vans or trailers.

Storage As An Option If you are relocating for a job, downsizing, or planning to move into your new home after vacating your previous home, longer-term on-site storage might make the most sense. Shop around for a local self-storage facility within a short distance of your new home. You may have to ‘move twice’, but it’s a great way to clear the clutter without sacrificing cost.

Ask About Insurance Don’t assume your homeowner’s insurance policy covers belongings in storage. Verify it in advance and/ or inquire about available insurance riders to cover your belongings while they are in storage.
Evaluate Security Always verify the security measures in place at a facility before making a decision on where to store your belongings. Cheaper isn’t always better. Are there security gates that control access to the facility? Are there security cameras? Will anyone else have access to your storage area?

Climate Control If you intend to store valuable antiques, expensive electronics, or other items that may be sensitive to humidity or temperature extremes, consider opting for a climate-controlled unit. It may cost a little more, but do you really want to replace your items after you move?

///…CP

Here’s another post taken from my ‘News You Can Use’ Preferred Client publication. ____________________________________________________________________________________

It’s only natural for your home to reflect your personal style, but when it comes time to sell, what makes a house your home can become a major hindrance. Depersonalizing your home can often help you obtain the best price and make buyers feel as though your house could become their home.

Go Neutral Unless your favourite colour scheme is already completely neutral, it’s time to get out the paint and restore the colours of your home to something less noticeable. Eggshell, white tones, and beige are good options. Don’t forget the other senses – in addition to colour, make sure the smell of your home is also neutral. Never assume what you find pleasant smelling will appeal to others. Consider having your home professionally cleaned using an enzymatic treatment that neutralizes all odours, including heavy perfumes and deodorizers.

Minimize Eliminate all unnecessary furniture, belongings, and clutter as much as possible prior to photographing and showing your home. Not only does it allow people to see the property more clearly, it allows prospective buyers to begin seeing your house as their future home.

Highlight Your Home Never showcase personal belongings such as artwork or an antique piece of furniture. Instead, highlight the features of the home itself. Tour your house room by room and rediscover the essence of each area. Create a beautiful view, ambient lighting, or other inviting scenario that attracts visitors without overwhelming them. As much as possible (and reasonable), try to eliminate distractions that identify the home as belonging to you. Remember, it is still your home so you don’t have to denude your home of all belongings, but if you have a ‘family wall’ of photographs dating back three generations you should consider taking some of the photos off the wall.

///…CP