3 Moves in 6 years
Personally, moving cross county thrice hasn’t been the easiest on my stress level or sanity. But there have been some valuable lessons learned along the way.
As a real estate agent, I experience this emotional time with each client during the transaction. NOBODY is a saint during moving time; just nobody! And how do I help them through it? I recall my long distance moves. I’ve moved, and packed while my house was on the market. I’ve had to keep it “show ready,” and leave my property with a newborn and two dogs. “I’ve been there; I’ve done that,” I remember, as I listen to my normally sane client, tell me with either rage or gulps of tears in their voice that they can’t think straight over negotiations. I coach them through it and listen. Because it hasn’t been long since clutching onto my newborn for fear that the packers would pack him away if I put him down for one minute!
- Start packing earlier than you think. Do a little each night. A corner, a room, a floor.
- Hire professional packers: I’ve done both self-packed moves, and professional moves. Less stuff gets broken, lost, or disorganized with a professional move. Professional movers have insurance and a very organized system of lists and stickers. If they lose or damage your property they have a way of amending that. With self-packed damages, you only have yourself to blame.
- Buy the extra insurance coverage for the moving van, rental car, travel, pet, booking, whatever. You just never know what will happen! And while your life is up in the air (and in bags in the air), you don’t want to be SOL when you land where you are going and have no back up plan.
- Save money ahead of time for the move. Budget for it: meals on the road, gas, tolls, entertainment for the kids, boxes, tape (you always run out and need more!), etc.
- For those of you who think you’re all packed, except a few little extras….No, you are NOT! Go back and look at all your things: then get back to packing.
- Do not expect your friends to help you throw things in boxes/bags FOR you. You must have the boxes sealed and bags zipped at least the night before your mover friends come over.
- Also, you must provide your friends with a thank you something: meal, drinks, gift card, flowers, and personal hand-written note, something! This goes for the packers at a professional company too. A thank you gift goes a long way.
- Do not leave your junk behind for the next owner. Don’t think you are doing them a favor by leaving them your plunger, or sponges, or bag of ice melt in the garage. The only items acceptable to leave behind, are the ones you have already cleared with the new owner/tenant to leave behind. Labeled/current left-over paints are acceptable. A pile of half used paint supplies are not.
- Remember that you are not the best version of yourself when you are moving. You may have a blow up and it is okay. Moving is one of the highest stresses in the journey of life. It is ranked right up there with Marriage, Divorce, and Death!
- Don’t forget to lean into friends and family if possible for support and help. And your real estate agent for referrals and recommendations to take the stress out of trusting the right professionals for the job.
