As an Estate Agent, I should know better, but the ugly truth is; I am a serial mover! There is nothing I love more than taking a new space and making it ours. I don’t want to sound flippant, there are many steps to make a move successful, and regardless of how many times you move, it can be a little stressful.
So, over the next few months, I’ll be letting you in on my home move hacks, it may surprise you what I’ve chosen as number 1!
Deep Clean ‘n’ Declutter
It’s tempting to shove everything out of sight when the professional photographer comes round to snap the for sale photos. So, before your house is even on the market, perhaps even before you interview potential estate agents, this is your chance to declutter; you will be amazed at how much simpler the move becomes.
There are many benefits to decluttering before you put your home on the market;
- The professional photos will look brilliant, which will attract more buyers and result in a better sale. It’s also much easier to stage a home after a declutter (we will talk about staging in Home Move Hacks #2)
- There will be less to clean and organise when you’re getting ready for viewings to take place! Plus, your new home will be easier to organise and clean once you’re there.
- You will save time and last-minute packing panic on moving day; plus, the time and energy it takes to unpack at the new house!
- You’ll also save money on removal costs, packing boxes and materials because you’ll only be packing what you really need and want.
So, where should you start?
- Prepare and plan. Start with the rooms you use least, first!
- Tackle only one room at a time, and don’t move onto a new room until you’re finished.
- Make three piles: keep, throw, and donate.
- Once you’ve gone through the entire room, review the piles.
- Have bin bags to hand for the throw and donate piles.
- Dust and polish everything you’re keeping before it goes back in its place.
It can be very tempting to keep everything. An important thing to keep in mind while decluttering a home for a move is to think about how often you really use an item, if you don’t really love it, or really need it; chances are you should chuck it.
It’s tough, anything you take with you will take up space in the new home, so be ruthless, you’ll move to the new house only with the stuff you really want and need.
Perhaps you’ll have even had the chance to sell off some stuff you’re throwing and put some money towards moving costs.
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