My grandma packs up her house every few years. Then she donates what gets left in boxes.
Moving her now would be a breeze. She really only has those items she really needs.
Not everybody is quite as prepared to move though. Years ago we had a client literally packing up boxes on the day of closing. The buyer was waiting out front of the house with a moving truck as the seller loaded up their last boxes.
We really don’t recommend procrastinating like that.
Pack up now
It does not matter if you move in 6 months or 2 weeks. You need to start packing now if moving is on your mind. Procrastination costs, especially when you go to sell your home. You home will show far better to potential buyers once you are all packed up. Pack up now, before your home goes on the market, even if you plan on staying in the house till it sells.
Get rid of it. It never pays to move something only to throw it out later. Make two piles when moving. One pile is for keeping. The other pile is for donating.
Chose a spot for packed boxes. This place should be out of the way. A garage or shed works great! Otherwise, choose a room that is not a center piece in your house, such as a spare bedroom. The idea is to keep the mess away from eyes of people whom might be interested in buying your home. You may want to consider renting a storage facility or moving pod if you have no place to store your boxes.
Do not pack these items
Buyers are purchasing the space in your home, not your items. That’s why it’s essential you de-clutter prior to your home going on the market. The perfect time to de-clutter is as you pack up for your move.
You need to be absolutely relentless with eliminating clutter. Anything and everything that can go should with a few exceptions as detailed below.
Furnishings you need just enough furnishings to demonstrate the purpose, stage, each room. Buyers have no imagination. They will literally have no idea where the dining room table goes, what’s a bedroom, or where a TV might go if your home is vacant. You want to leave behind enough furnishings for them to understand the purpose of each space in your home.
Essentials you may plan to live in the house till it sells. You’ll need to leave behind a few items in that case. Imagine you are going on a long distance road trip. Only leave those items in your home that you’d take on the road trip.
Cleaning essentials it never fails you get moved out and then somebody spills soda on the rug, or the front door becomes inundated with leaves. It’s wise to always leave behind a few home care essentials. This can be a broom & dustpan; rug vacuum; paper towels; toilet paper; few rags; bee & hornet spray; weed spray; mop & bucket; glass cleaner; and any additional small cleaning items. Leaving these behind can make all the difference in such emergencies, especially after your home hits the market.
Set these aside for the new owner
Appliance manuals, home maintenance records, & touch up supplies as you come by items that belong with the house make sure to place them in a safe spot. This might be a drawer in your kitchen or utility room. You will also want to leave your touch-up paint, spare tile and supplies behind as well.
House keys & remotes while you are packing up place your home keys, mailbox keys, garage remotes, fan remotes, and the works into a safe spot with your home file from previous tip.
Unwanted furnishings Consider leaving them in your home to for staging, especially if it’s in reasonably good shape. Inventory these items and assign a reasonable price for each. Likely a buyer will not pay for them but they make awesome bartering chips.
How long should packing take?
You need a good 6 weeks to perform a self move. More time is better. Bookmark this email and print off this 6 week moving checklist.
Pretend you are going to move earlier than you actually are. Especially if you are a chronic procrastinator. Place a bet with your friends that you will be moved out by a certain date. If you are not then you have to treat them to something special, and expensive enough to scare off the procrastinator in you.
Best of luck with packing up. Drop me a line, I’d love to know how it’s coming along.