Welcome to this month’s installment of Dear Urbaneer where we assist our clients by providing solutions to their real estate queries. Spring time is not just traditionally the busy season in the trade of real estate (although the pace of the Toronto market seems to ignore the calendar entirely these days), but it’s also a season during which many people prepare to move residences. After all, springtime is all about fresh beginnings! Here is what our client asked us most recently for our monthly Dear Urbaneer series:
Dear Urbaneer:
After a lengthy exhausting property search, I’m delighted to finally find a home that will suit me perfectly. However, now that I’m getting down to the business of preparing to move, I’m feeling more than a little overwhelmed by all the details. Do you have any additional tips or tools that could help assuage my stress?
Signed, Movin’ On Up
Dear Movin’:
Congratulations on the purchase of your home! No doubt the time and effort that you put into your property search will make that sensation of “Home” when you move in even sweeter. And I’m not surprised to hear that you are daunted at the prospect of moving. It’s a well-known fact that moving is considered one of the most stressful events that an individual can experience.
It’s partly due to the upheaval and the displacement (although temporary) of your life. It doesn’t help that there are a myriad of details to consider, which constantly makes you feel like you are forgetting something. No question, your best plan of attack to manage moving stress is to create a stellar, very specific to-do list. So take a deep breath and relax, and let us help get this covered for you!
A word to the wise: a good moving plan starts at least several weeks before moving day. Here are some points to include on your checklist:
In The Weeks Prior
First, here’s our post called ‘Urbaneer’s Tips For A Smooth Move‘, that includes our guidelines and recommendations for finding a great moving company. Research moving companies and be sure to interview at least three. Inquire about things like inclusive fees, insurance and overtime charges. It’s a good idea to request references too. One of our favs is Cargo Cabbie, who have done a stellar job for the urbaneer team personally and professionally, as well as many of our clients.
Several weeks before, do a purge of your belongings. You may have already done do in advance of putting your current property on the market in order to present it more successfully. Give away or sell what won’t be moving with you. Also take this opportunity to properly dispose of any chemicals (paint, for instance) and electronics.
If you are doing your own packing, this is the time to gather your packing materials and boxes. Not sure how much you’ll need? Here is a handy packing calculator. It’s a good idea to take some time to ensure that you’ve got the accurate information, because having too much packing material means that you’re wasting money and having too little means that you’re wasting time going back and forth. As far as the packing goes, plan to start at least a month before the move date, starting with seasonal or rarely used items. Don’t forget to label boxes with contents and room placement in the new home.
If you’ve got kids and are changing school districts, contact their current school to see about getting their school records transferred over to the new school.
If necessary, get copies of your medical records to forward to a new physician. If you are a pet owner, do the same from your pet’s vet.
In your new home, take measurements of windows, rooms and doorways so that you know if you’ll be able to move your furniture in comfortably or if you are shopping for new furniture and window coverings.
Plan paint colours ahead of time, so you’ll be able to have your new space feeling like home as soon as possible. If you’re unsure of where to start, here’s a worthwhile read: ‘Colour Communications: What Message are you Sending?‘. (Fun fact! The prevalence and popularity of particular interior paint colours have been linked to geographical location! Check out the survey of Canada’s colour palette here: ‘Cracking Canada’s Colour Code‘.)
Change Of Home, Change Of Address
At the risk of stating the obvious, when you move, you need to change your address. However, when you stop to think about it, you are identified by your physical address at numerous locations, which means several points of contact for these address changes.
Your lawyer will be of assistance for some municipal changes, like property taxes and water/sewer/garbage services but otherwise the balance falls to you.
For a number of addresses changes, along with making arrangements for stop and start dates for some services (like gas, hydro, communication firms, your insurance firm, etc.) consider enlisting to this handy platform called MoveSnap, What’s great about this tool is that it organizes many of these address and service changes progressively, helping you keep track of what you’ve already done, and what needs to be done next.
This list based, check-it-off approach is a huge organizational tool. It’s always helpful to approach huge tasks (like moving homes, for instance) in smaller steps.
Don’t forget your health card, your driver’s license and car insurance, magazine subscriptions, memberships, bank and financial information and tax office (CRA). For peace of mind, in case you forgot to change your address somewhere, you may want to take advantage of Canada Post’s mail forwarding service, where you can choose to have your mail forwarded to your new address for a specified time.
In The Days Prior
Defrost your fridge and freezer and then clean them out. If you are moving these items with you, make sure that this is done at least 24 hours in advance.
Make sure that you have payment arranged for your mover.
Pack an overnight bag with all your necessities, so you’re not digging through boxes your first night in your home. Also pack any personal items that you might be transporting yourself, like jewellery or valuables. And note to have each family member do the same, and prep for your pets too!
On Moving Day
You are going to be busy today, so make sure you eat something nutrient-dense in the morning. You’ll need stamina!
Strip the beds and dismantle once you get up in the morning.
Make sure that you collect paperwork and keys and keep them with you or in a designated safe place.
Get ready to welcome the movers or if you are going DIY to load the truck yourself.
Once everything is moved out, go room to room to ensure that nothing is left behind. Open closets, cabinets and doors. Clean your home once it is empty for the new owners – or save yourself the hassle and hiring a cleaning company. One of our favourites is Nordic Cleaning, whom we use on a regular basis.
Moving into a new place can be an anxiety-ridden experience, even when you’re thrilled for the change. It can be made all the more stressful if you are moving with small children or pets, so consider checking out these two popular urbaneer posts that will help you address those specific challenges: ‘Urbaneer’s Tips for Moving with Kids‘ and ‘Animal House: 8 Simple Rules for Moving with Dogs’.
On a final note, remember that even once you’ve successfully completed your move, a new home can feel disorienting until you paint, furnish, and make it your own. Here’s one of our past posts to help you instill your own sense of ‘home’ within the walls of your new space: ‘Dear Urbaneer: How Can I Make An Emotional Connection Through my Home?’
We’re personally invested in our clients’ happiness, which goes far beyond a home sale or purchase. We care about your happiness and wellbeing at every stage of the process and beyond. Want more helpful tips on everything housing? We’re here to help!
~ Steven and the urbaneer team
Steven Fudge, Sales Representative
& The Innovative Urbaneer Team
Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage – (416) 322-8000
– we’re here to earn your trust, then your business –