Just like mama birds, we’re instinctively driven to create safe and comfortable nests for our families.
Are you getting ready to move? This can be an exciting time, but it can also be a stressful time. In fact, changing homes has been identified as one of the biggest life stressors, right up there with divorce and death.
You should expect some challenges, but there are proven ways to mitigate the stress of moving. We’ve helped dozens of Dallas families manage their moves with less stress and can confidently say that by implementing some smart organizing strategies, you can get your family efficiently and happily transitioned.
Managing the Sale: Declutter & Depersonalize
Let’s start with the selling side of the equation. Real estate transactions are usually one of the most significant financial transactions we’ll ever make. It is important to do what you can to garner top dollar for your investment. Upfront decluttering and depersonalizing will help you properly stage your existing home for showings while giving you the opportunity to do some pre-packing.
You don’t want your personal items to distract a potential buyer. At Getting it Done Organizing, we recommend the following to prepare your home for potential buyers:
- Remove Personal Photos: Allow potential new occupants to visualize their own families in the space. You want them to look at the home, not your favorite family images.
- Pull Down the Knick-Knacks: Give the buyer the opportunity to envision where they’d put their own decorations without getting caught up in yours.
- Edit Your Furniture: Oftentimes it makes sense to remove an occasional chair or extra barstools to enable you to highlight the space available. More open space makes a room feel larger.
- Pack Off-Season Clothes: This showcases the space in your closets and gets some of your packing out of the way early.
- Clear the Surfaces: Clean off bathroom vanities and remove as much as possible from your kitchen pantry to highlight storage potential.
- Utilize Orderly Storage: If you have boxes packed, store them in a storage unit or neatly in the garage. Make sure they are stacked in an orderly fashion so they don’t detract from the garage space.
Staging Tricks for an Excellent First Impression
In most cases, an empty home will take longer to sell than one that contains furniture. This is one of the main reasons new home builders have model homes. It helps a potential buyer to see how the home might be arranged. A thoughtfully arranged space evokes positive emotions, and you only have seconds to make a first impression. Once you’ve decluttered, try these staging tips:
- Go Neutral: Neutral wall colors are generally most appealing to new homebuyers. It pays to invest in fresh, neutral paint and allow art, pillows, and other decoration to bring the color to the space. Even if you are not repainting completely, we recommend touching up the walls. And, yes, this means patching up any nail holes exposed once you remove your own personal hanging items.
- Clean, Clean, Clean: This is a basic step that makes a world of difference. Dust off the surfaces, wipe down the appliances, remove stains from the sinks, and build-up in the shower. Windows are your showcase – clean them inside and out. Have the carpets professionally cleaned. Thoroughly clean your cabinets and pantry – they will certainly be opened by potential buyers. Clean spaces convey the message that the home has been well cared for.
- Boost Curb Appeal: Give some love to the front door. This is where you make your first impression. It might make sense for you to invest in refinishing the wood or paint on the door if it is faded or worn. Is the door handle snug and operating properly? Is the hardware in good condition? Are the hinges oiled? Ensure your porch lighting is shiny and clean. Remove any cobwebs. Consider adding in some flanking planters with colorful plants or richly textured foliage.
- Hide the “Lived-In” Look: During showings, don’t leave wet towels or dirty dishes out. Place any dirty dishes in the dishwasher and run it ahead of time. Wipe down your showers and tubs. Put away wet bathmats. Ahead of a showing, avoid cooking anything that gives off a strong smell. Cookies and other baked goods are ok; in fact, these comforting scents can be a bonus!
- Focus on Symmetry: You have arranged your current home in a way that makes sense for your family, but keep in mind that symmetry is always appealing. Consider the way your rooms are laid out. Is there balance? Is furniture spread out evenly? Have you allowed for generous traffic flow? Move as necessary, keeping in mind that this season is temporary and that you’ll be setting up your new home just as you like very soon.
Packing Up Efficiently
Once you’ve sold your home, it’s time to pack. We recommend breaking this large task into manageable parts. Make a schedule and recruit help where you can. Here are some of our top packing tips:
- The Final Purge: Before you pack it, really consider if you want to keep it. Donate gently used items and trash what needs to go.
- Invest in Supplies: Get sturdy boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and permanent markers. Wardrobe boxes are our secret to super easy closet packing.
- Pack by Room: This makes packing easier and facilitates much more efficient unpacking on the other end.
- Label Everything: Clearly label each box with its contents and the name of the room it belongs in at the new house.
Unpacking Your New Home
Before the moving truck arrives, plan out how you would like to arrange your new home. Create a written list of “what goes where.” Move-in day will be a busy one, and you may forget things in the rush. Share copies of the list with everyone who will be present on moving day. You will be asked where you want the larger pieces of furniture to go right away, as the items are coming off the truck, and you want to be ready with an answer.
Don’t try to do all the unpacking in one day.
Rushing to empty the boxes can lead to disorganization. We recommend your goal be to get your family back to “living normally” as soon as possible. This means unpacking the rooms of the home based on use and need:
- Prioritize Beds: Set the beds up for sleeping on day one, but the decorating of walls and shelves in those rooms can wait.
- Focus on the Kitchen: Start in the kitchen as soon as possible so you can prepare and serve meals.
- Quick Comfort: Make sure you have a spot to sit down to rest and recharge.
- Don’t Let it Drag Out: While you should be realistic, don’t let boxes sit for months. Unpacked boxes lead to unnecessary frustration and anxiety. Make sure you stay with it to finish the process fully.
The Benefits of Partnering with a Professional
If your budget allows, a professional organizer can be a lifesaver during a move. We have the experience, tools, and knowledge to optimize your new spaces. Think closets, drawers, and pantries from day one.
Getting it Done Organizing offers end-to-end moving services and everything in between. We can help with the purging, staging, and packing. We’ll set up your new space to be optimally functional and perfectly organized.
Wondering what you can expect partnering with a professional organizer for your move? Here’s what a couple of our clients have shared with us after the fact:
“When we moved into our new house, we had an opportunity to clean things out and really get organized. It was an overwhelming task. We hired the Getting it Done Organizing team to come in and take over, and they were a Godsend. They made a very stressful situation easy and significantly lowered my anxiety! Now when I walk through my house, there are so many little things here and there that honestly make me happy when I walk past them. You should see my pantry!” — Tracy, University Park, TX
“Oh my gosh!!! Literally the best thing I have ever done! Getting it Done Organizing changed my life!!! Jenny flew out from Texas to California to help me move into my new home. She unpacked and organized my entire home!!! Bedrooms, kitchen, office, hall closets, you name it and it’s organized!!! I walk into my closet and I feel like I’m shopping. I can now see things I totally forgot I even had. My space is organized and now my mind is organized and I feel better than ever!!!” — Mimi, Los Gatos, CA
Bonus Tip: Take Advantage of the Discounts!
When you file your change of address with the US Post Office, you’ll begin to receive offers for discounts from many retailers, including Wayfair, West Elm, Lowes, Amazon, and many more! Hang on to them! We guarantee they will come in handy! Moving always involves some purchases. Optional purchase or wonderful splurge, saving money is a bonus.
Ready to Get Moving?
It’s true, the process of moving will inevitably ruffle a feather or two. It is important to accept this upfront. But, with some planning and proven organization tactics, you can get through the process successfully. Don’t be afraid to seek out help when you need it and capitalize on all the opportunities that come with starting afresh. Most importantly, stay focused on the end goal – you and your family in your beautiful new home!
Moving into a new home should be a celebration, not a chore. Our Concierge Move Management team handles everything from the initial purge and packing to the full setup of your new home. Imagine walking into your new house with the beds made, the kitchen organized, and every box unpacked.
Click here to learn more about our Move Management services and let us help you “Get it Done” so you can love your new home right away.
