LifestyleSelling your home

Ways to make your move stress-free

9 November 2018 | Insights Team

Moving house is right up there with major life events like death and divorce (when it comes to stress level measures) but there are ways to make the process seamless and relatively worry-free.

It goes without saying that even control freaks need to surrender to the chaos of moving. The house will be upside down and anxiety levels will be elevated. Here are some stress-busting tips to help you get organised:

  • Get your head in the game. You may be moving into a smaller home, moving cities (even countries) or leaving a family home, but each move signals a transition in life. There’s a lot of work to be done and it may cause anxiety levels to rise. It’s helpful to create a list of your ‘reasons for moving’ and in times of crisis, remind yourself of the choices you’ve made. And try to be flexible – there will be challenges and obstacles, so try and ‘go with the flow’.
  • Plan ahead and pace yourself. Allowing yourself enough time to pack up your current home is paramount. Last-minute packing can only lead to unnecessary meltdowns. If you’re working, take sufficient time off around your move, and spend the weekends prior to your move being systematic about your packing. If you are simply running out of time – call in the troops to help (friends, family – or even a packing service company). Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

  • Make a checklist/s. So much needs to be done: from booking a removal company to collecting boxes from your local supermarket. Your checklist can start in the months leading up to your move. Your list should include making notes of important dates and deadlines, researching the new area you will be living in – schools and facilities, booking pet transport or kennelling, a full inventory of your possessions, booking storage if excess items need to be stored, notifying insurance companies of your new address, etc.
  • Declutter! The upside of moving is that you can purge your house of unwanted items – like that novelty orange squeezer you never use, or clothing you never wear. Marie Kondo, Japanese author of Spark Joy: An Illustrated Guide to the Japanese Art of Tidying, claims even our possessions transmit energy and hoarding only promotes ‘stuffocation’! There are plenty of charities that will come and collect goods.

  • Number or colour code (using sticky dots) your boxes, both top and sides, and furniture. It may help to have a floor plan of your new home and to pack according to each area. Another good tip is to use the same sticky dots to demarcate the areas (using doorknobs or door frames) in the new home so the movers know what to place where.
  • Keep important documents safe. A good idea is to keep all passports, birth certificates etc. in a special box that will travel with you or make copies and scan all important paperwork. Use secure file hosting facilities like Dropbox for important documents, so should any important documents go missing (in the worst case scenario) you have back-ups in the ‘cloud’.
  • Use a reputable moving company. If you’re placing your precious goods in the hands of a moving team, you need to trust them. Get quotes and check references. Some of the bigger companies will offer a packing service which does save time and energy – although this may be costly. Ask around for the best deals and best service (we suggest you get at least three quotes from moving companies).
  • Make sure you have a moving day ‘survival kit’, including any medical supplies you may need, or a first aid kit for small injuries. Also include toiletries, phone chargers, snacks and water. If you have space in your car, also consider packing essential items like bedding and clothing for the first night in your new home.

The ‘Big Move’ can be a stressful time, so make sure you check in with yourself (first) and make use of healthy ways to deal with the mental and emotional pressures – whether it’s going for a walk/run, taking a pilates class or having a quick cup of coffee with a friend to ‘exhale’. Check in with the family – it’s not only the adults who are going through the stresses and strains of moving but the kids too, make sure you chat regularly and that everyone is doing okay emotionally. Address issues as they arise, and don’t postpone dealing with these issues for another time. Kids may be feeling fearful and it’s good to talk about their fears and reassure them that all is well in the world.

It’s a good idea to choose your battles carefully – give your energy to those ‘battles’ that really need it and decide what you can let go with grace and ease.

We are here for you: And always remember if you have any last minute queries regarding conveyancing or any of the sometimes confusing legalese around the selling of your home, chat to your Leadhome local property expert. Good luck, and here’s to a seamless move.

Insights Team

We're the "thinking arm" of Leadhome, combining expertise in data analysis, modelling, sociology, geography, and philosophy to interrogate current trends in the South African residential property market. Proudly contemplative since 2015.

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