Moving With A Plan

 by Bunky Lundberg

   Real estate, as a general concept, conjures up many a picture in our minds. Investments, new surroundings, new communities, moving vans, travel, more space, less space. When the topic of real estate is narrowed to focus on a personal move, these images combine to create a sense of adventure. On the other hand, we may dread the planning and accomplishments of the physical move required to get from here to there. Moving creates stress. Instead of one clear-cut project, moving is a multitude of projects that, if not broken down into one-at-a-time, doable tasks, can create havoc. Think about it. Moving typically involves readying one home for sale, updating it for the sale, keeping it clean for showing, deciding where to live next, house hunting (which often requires travel and all its logistical details), acquiring loans, attending closings, and on and on. Those details alone can leave a person breathless in anticipation! Then comes the physical move itself. Unless your employer or the government is paying, you should interview at least three moving companies to find the most affordable. This is not an inexpensive ordeal. In preparation for the move, first downsize, or decide what you will need at your next location. Begin your plan with your new home in mind to provide a starting place for tackling the details. Getting rid of unnecessary "stuff" at your old home can make the moving-in process much simpler and cheaper because you'll have less to move. Packing your things by yourself, or wit7h the help of your moving company or other relocation service can make getting settled easy if everything is organized to arrive with specific room destinations designated on boxes. It takes time to manage a move this way, but the time saved at the other end is monumental. Finally, allow some time for the emotional toll a move can take. Often, moving can make us feel as if our lives have been turned upside down. All the effort we've put into a former residence is now taken away with the removal of each piece of furniture. We are lucky, though, because the excitement and anticipation of a new home usually outweigh the upside downs of our grief. Just as with any project we tackle, having a plan is the very best way to navigate through the details of the major change a move creates. © 1999, Bunky Lundberg. All rights reserved.