Congratulations! You’ve found your next home and you’re just waiting for the closing date to arrive but what do you do in the meantime. In the past, we’ve talked you through the moving timeline and given you suggestions on what to do along the way. Today, we have three things you should do before you move that don’t necessarily fall along the timeline. Do one or all three before you sign the deed to the next owners and thank us later.
Keep, Sell, Donate
It sounds like a cheesy game show doesn’t it? As soon as you find that next house, or maybe even before, you should start doing an inventory of your belongings and decide which you will keep, which you will sell, and which you will donate. It can be difficult to part with things but if you haven’t used it in more than six months and it doesn’t hold significant sentimental value you should consider getting rid of it. Items like clothing that are still in good condition can be tedious to sell so consider donating it to a local charity; most will schedule a pickup right at your home and provide you with a receipt to use for a tax write-off at the end of the year. If you’re making a large move, consider donating your canned and boxed goods to a food pantry to save on your weight charges with the moving company. Larger items like exercise equipment, televisions, stereo systems, and larger children’s toys all have good resale value. You can find local resale groups on Facebook or list online, through your local newspaper, or host a yard sale. Not only will you not bring dust collecting junk to your new home but you can also make a few dollars to help off-set moving costs.
Say “Good-Bye” to the Neighbors
If you’ve developed any kind of relationship with your neighbors you should make an effort to say “good-bye” to them before the moving truck backs into your driveway. It can be as simple as a quick handshake and a “thanks for being a good neighbor” to a beers & barbecue in the backyard. If you’re good friends, take some pictures, give them your new address, and try to keep in touch. If you have kids, encourage them to do the same to help lessen any upset they may be experiencing from the move.
Take Nostalgia With You
Are you one of those families that has tick marks on the door frame for each kid through the years? It can be difficult to part with a solid piece of memorabilia. But maybe you don’t have to. If you’re handy enough, remove the the piece of molding with the tick marks and take it with you. Obviously be sure to replace it with a matching, painted piece before you move out. If you have a favorite tree or rose bush, consider taking a few small cuttings and transplanting them to your new home. If that’s not an option, taking a picture will always help preserve the memories.