For decades, your family home provided the backdrop for your life’s memories. Every room in the house echoes with laughter and tears. The process of packing up decades can overwhelm a seller, and the emotions can be intense. Plus selling a family home can have more people involved in the process than the typical transaction. Adult children sometimes help parents get the house sold. And with many people, come many opinions on what should be done.
Take a look at 6 ways to keep focused through this difficult journey:
Organize for the Move
Use a notebook and make lists to keep you on track. Some lists you’ll want to keep are what repairs need to be made, contact information for home maintenance professionals, and what your plans are for your stuff. For example, if you want your daughter to have Aunt Alice’s dishes, make a note of that. If you don’t want to spend money on a professional organizer, a close friend can help you stay objective as you decide what you want to give away, sell, donate, or throw away.
Go Slow and Steady
Don’t do it all at once. Give yourself at least six months to go through this process. Try doing short shifts over time instead of cramming it in over a few marathon weekends. Your body and sanity will thank you.
Prep the House
You can probably guess that a deep clean and de-cluttering are musts. Even if you’ve been able to keep up the home maintenance over the years, chances are the house has a few things that still need to be done. Many home inspection companies offer sellers a reduced-price visual survey of the home that can help you target repairs for a smoother sale. If you’re considering making updates, take a look online at homes for sale in your neighborhood to see what the trends are. But don’t make any major renovations without doing your homework on if it’s actually worth the effort and out-of-pocket expense.
Get Through the Emotions
No matter how much stuff you have or how much your work your house needs, this is the hardest part for many people. Saying goodbye to a family home doesn’t mean you won’t still have your memories. It’s not uncommon for there to be a lot of tears through this process, and just like with any other time of transition, you’ll want to make sure you take care of yourself, get plenty of rest, and take breaks.
Here are some ways to lighten the load…and maybe even make it fun!
- Try listening to music that you loved during the time you were in the house while you’re packing.
- Invite a friend or family member over and set a timer for 30 minutes and see how much you can each get done. Celebrate what you accomplished. Repeat.
- Imagine the next owners’ excitement when they walk through the door for the first time and the memories they have ahead of them.
- Take a moment to thank your home for the years it’s given you and your family shelter.
Keep an Eye on the Bottom Line
After it’s all said and done, you want the biggest return on your family’s biggest investment. You didn’t work long and hard for your home to give the proceeds away. It’s worth researching ways to sell your home that’ll leave more money in your pocket. If some repairs come up that you weren’t aware of before putting the house on the market, a seller’s home warranty can give you extra peace of mind…and they usually don’t cost anything unless you use it.
The Right Realtor for You
If you’re ready to make that big move, I can help you find the right realtor for you. I’m a member of the Century 21 worldwide referral team. Once I know what you’re looking for in a realtor, I can connect you with a great realtor in your area. I’ll be back up for making sure you get the expertise you need.
Consider me your Matchmaker for the Right Realtor for You.
Message me at my Facebook Page today.
C. Dawn McCallum 
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