Gosh, moving out of your family home is actually more stressful than selling it.  And moving into your new home can be exciting and stressful at the same time, especially for families with children and fur babies or feathered friends.  A move is tiring, it’s hard work, and it can really change the harmony in any home.  As a trusted property practitioner, I can honestly vouch for how horrible moving day actually is.  As a seasoned property professional who understands the challenges families face during this transition, Cornerstone Homes has tried to think of a few little tips that could make the transition easier and smoother, and actually, well, a little more enjoyable to everyone in the family.

Moving Quotes

There are so many little tips here.  Moving mid-month is cheaper than moving at month-end.  A full load or a part load.  Do the movers pack your stuff, or do you pack yourself?  Are there weight restrictions (moving truck) where you are going, because this adds cost?  Shop around because the price difference when you do is astronomical.  Paying deposits can catch you with unexpected costs, so make sure you budget for that, especially if you want to confirm and secure your move on a specific day.  What time will they arrive, and how long should the move take?  Moving with nice people makes such a difference, too.  If you need some moving company recommendations, I would love to help.  Call Sandy on 083 550 1220.

Getting The Keys

When will you get the keys?  Moving out when you sell your Randburg property will mean you need to hand the keys over to the estate agent helping you move or to the new buyer’s hands.  Anchoring this date and time will help to plan ahead.

Plan Ahead

We know this and we keep putting it off, but start your moving journey with a solid, well-organised plan. Make a list.  Yes, make a moving checklist that outlines who is doing what and by when.  And not only on moving day, but in the weeks leading up to your moving day.  This will help you stay organised and avoid last-minute stressing.

Are you buying boxes, or are the movers packing you up?  This is a bit of a schlep, and so is the packing tape but buy enough and then buy a few extra boxes, because chances are you will need them.  Are you donating anything?  Start early and plan what you want to get rid of.

Engage the Kiddos

Moving is overwhelming!  It’s tiring!  And it feels like when you are packing up, it will never come to an end.  But it’s a good idea to give everyone something to do.  And a change for children and animals, particularly when tension and stress levels are high, is the perfect time to make sure everyone, including the kiddos, has something to do. Involving your little ones in the process does help them to feel included and will help them to adjust better.  Invite them to help pack up their belongings, and consider giving them a special box to fill with their most treasured toys and comfort items, to keep close on moving day.  What I also recommend is that you pack a bag for the first night or two with the most essential items.  Trust me, this will help once you have your new home full of unpacked boxes.

Regular Routines

We all have a routine, and especially the little ones.  Familiarity provides everyone with peace and comfort and a sense of security during a time when there is a big change.  Meal times, play schedules, bedtime, and school routines can be kept as consistent as possible, and this will help everyone to settle faster.

Would A Safe Space Work?

Is there possibly a safe and familiar space in your new home for your children to disappear to when things get a bit overwhelming?  Choose a space where the family likes to hang out.  That last box you pack will often be the most important box when you move, and you could pop in a few books, fluffy toys, and blankies.

Fur Babies and Feathered Friends

Always remember to plan for your pets. They will sense change and could become unsettled by a change in environment (or territory). The unfamiliar surroundings, scents, and sounds may lead to behavioral changes like restlessness, anxiety, clinginess, or loss of appetite. To ease the transition, maintain their regular feeding and walking schedules, create a quiet space for them with familiar items, and reassure them by staying calm and offering love and reassurance through a calm and positive tone. If possible, arrange for a trusted friend or family member to care for them on moving day.

Get Help

Getting help from moving specialists who are experienced and efficient to help with your packing will make such a difference.  It costs a bit extra, but it is totally worth it.  A moving specialist could handle the packing, loading, transporting, and unloading of all your stuff.  This could actually save you time, but it will also shield you from more stress.  Your time is then best spent supervising rather than doing, and you have more time to focus on family and your pets.

Start with Favourite Spaces

Moving out normally starts with packing the stuff used less often.  And unpacking normally means you start with the most important rooms first.  A children’s bedroom is a familiar space, and so it a lounge and a kitchen.  Keeping a sense of continuity is key.

Explore Your New Neighbourhood

As a family, you can really explore your new surroundings. Where are the parks, and what are the walking routes?  Exploring an area together can be fun, and it will help everyone to settle.

Patience and Understanding

Moving is a big deal.  And it’s a big ask for everyone.  This is the perfect time to refine patience and understanding skills.  Everyone may need some space, so allow each other the space you need to settle. 

Support and Connections

A friend arriving with lunch on moving day is just such a win.  Meet the neighbours and find out if there are WhatsApp groups in the area.   Remembering to change the delivery address for your grocery deliveries and even pre-ordering lunch or dinner is such a win if you have time.

Need More Tips And Need Help To Sell A Randburg Property? 

Moving with a family can be demanding.  Planning it well will make all the difference between a stressful move and a well-planned move.  It’s all about ramping up the steps for the day and staying sane on moving day.  It will end, and you will settle, but it will be a lot of work.  Have fun though, and happy moving.  If you are planning way ahead and you still need to sell your Randburg property, and you do need a property valuation done, call Sandy on 083 550 1220. Feel free to check us out online – click here.