Let’s face it, the thought of packing up and moving to a new house can be pretty daunting, especially if you’ve lived in the family home for the last 20 to 30 years. With a lifetime of ‘stuff’ to sort through it can quickly fall further down your to-do list. However, once you’ve decided to take the plunge there are ways to make the whole process a lot less daunting.
There are two things to consider when you’ve decided to sell up – how best to present your home so it’s appealing to buyers and packing up your home for the physical move. Before you jump headfirst into renovations to make the place look shiny and new, think carefully about the true value renovations will add to the house and whether you’ll recover that cost in the sale price. A good real estate agent will give you sound advice on what changes (if any) to make. Sometimes, decluttering, a good clean, and a little light maintenance around the property can be all that’s needed. And don’t forget street appeal – the outside is just as important as the inside.
When you’re downsizing, the size of your new home will help dictate what you need to pack and what you should consider re-homing or selling (the proceeds of which can contribute to your moving costs). The good news is that decluttering for sale forms part of your packing regardless. Our advice is start packing early, it’ll probably take longer than you realise. Re-home items you haven’t used for a while or that simply won’t fit into the new home. Then, pack what you can into boxes that you can either store out of sight, in a storage facility, or with family and friends until you’re ready to move into your new home. Either way, be careful not to leave the house too bare – it should still feel homey enough that buyers can envisage themselves living there.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. Family and friends will often offer to help where they can—packing boxes, extra muscle for moving heavy items and some good old-fashioned elbow grease to help clean. So, make sure you take them up on that offer! Alternatively, you can enlist the help of the experts. Traditional moving companies will cost the most but will get the job done the fastest (and probably the most efficiently). Companies that specialise in decluttering and rubbish removal will save you time. If your budget allows, consider a professional cleaning company – they’ll have the skills and equipment to make every surface shine – or a staging company to furnish and style your home in the most buyer-friendly way so you can secure the best sale price.
If you’re moving into a Ryman village, we also have a wealth of experience to help you through the process.
