Extraordinary Homes Team Blog

Helping you take care of home.

10 Tips for Making the Most of Moving

How to Spruce Up Your Home for the Market

Chairs and flowers on home front porch.

10 Tips for

Making the Most of Moving

  1. Start early & plan ahead

Starting early will help you stay organized and save you from a last minute rush. Take the time in the beginning to create a checklist of tasks and prioritize what needs to be done first.

2. Declutter

This is my favorite tip for folks who are moving. Go through all those junk drawers, or junk closets if you're like me, and get rid of stuff! You don't want to bring old stuff you forgot you even had to your brand new house. Most items can be donated and items in good condition can be listed for sale on NextDoor or Facebook Marketplace!

3. Pack in labeled boxes

Label your boxes with the room its contents will belong to. Unpacking is much more efficient when your belongings are already where they need to be.

4. Take measurements of your new home

There is nothing worse than realizing the sectional you bought for your new house is just a couple inches too long. It is so important to measure your new spaces, especially for those who are downsizing.

5. Hire a reputable moving company to help with heavy lifting

Moving is mentally and physically demanding enough. The last thing you need is an injury to put you out of commission in the middle of a move. Don't push yourself past your limits and remember that it is never a bad idea to ask for help. Professional movers are fast and efficient, handling your personal belongings with great care.

6. Unpack one room at a time

Start with the most used areas of the home like your kitchen and bathrooms and go from there. Unpacking one room at a time keeps you on task and prevents you from having that one un-emptied box in every room for weeks after you move in.

7. Get the whole family involved

Moving can be such a special time for your family. Remember your motivations for choosing your house; we are sure it has something to do with your loved ones. Get everyone involved and excited for the move! Delegate tasks for your kids, spouse, mom, dog... Seriously, there is plenty to do so you'll need all hands on deck.

8. Keep important documents and valuables with you

Valuables such as jewelry, art, and other important items should be kept separately from the rest of your boxes. These are the items that are too precious to be replaced or you'd be devastated if they were lost. Important documents such as your deed, birth certificates, and social security cards should also be kept with you during the move.

9. Update billing & sub info

It is so easy to change your address with the post office these days. All you have to do is fill out a form online. Subscription and billing info should also be updated to reflect your new address.

10. Remember to take breaks

For those of us who like to move out of the old and into the new as quickly as humanly possible, moving can leave us feeling exhausted. But it doesn't have to be that way. Taking breaks is crucial to extending your endurance and someone who is well rested is much more productive than someone who is burnt out.


We hope these suggestions make your move as smooth as possible. Get ready to enjoy this next chapter and all the memories that you'll create in your new home.

How to Spruce Up Your Home

for the Market

Sprucing up your home for the market is not only a good idea to draw more attention to your house, but it can also help you get excited about the process of selling your home! I like to think of it as one final way to show your house some love before saying goodbye.


Declutter & Remove Personal Items

First things first, declutter! Decluttering can work wonders to make your home look more spacious and airy. It also keeps you from moving unwanted items with you to your next home! We recommend that you also remove excess personal items, photos of yourself or your family, or artwork from your kids before any open houses. It's not that we don't think these things are precious and special, they are! But when potential buyers are coming to your home they want to be able to envision themselves living in the space. Seeing the owners personal belongings just makes that a little harder to do.


Repairs & Renovations

Make any necessary repairs to improve the overall condition of your home. Now, we don't mean installing new marble countertops or adding another half bath. The key word here is necessary. Necessary repairs may include fixing a leak in the roof, making sure your kitchen and bathrooms have GCFI outlets, or fixing damage to the floors or walls. Renovations, on the other hand, can be done to give your home an updated, modern look so that you can sell for top dollar. As your trusted Real Estate guide, we can help you decide what kinds of renovations, if any, would help increase the price of your home.


Staging

Consider staging your home with furniture and decor to help potential buyers envision themselves living there. Staging is a tried and true method to get top dollar for your home. Homes that are staged can sometimes sell for $40,000 more than comparable listings in the same area with the same number of bedrooms. Sit back and let the experts showcase your home in it's most flattering light!


Paint

Add a fresh coat of paint to brighten up the space and make it look more inviting. While painting is simple and relatively cheap, it is an incredibly effective way to liven up any space. Whether you want to add brightness to your main living areas or add a cozy feel to your bedrooms, paint will be your best friend when it comes to sprucing up your home.


Curb Appeal

Enhance your homes curb appeal by cleaning up your landscaping. Pull those weeds out of your garden beds and trim overgrown bushes. Sometimes pressure washing and window cleaning may be necessary, too. I know I know, out of sight out of mind... and soon your house will be the responsibility of someone else. However, if you show some love to your yard now you can reap the benefits later when someone falls in love with your homes charm before even walking inside.


Ask about our Front Door Makeover Service

We offer complementary Front Door Makeovers to all of our Sellers!

We believe that first impressions are EVERYTHING. So naturally, we want the buyer's first impression of your home (the front door) to look amazing and clean! Think of it as a sneak peek for the rest of the home! We want your front door to say, "Just wait until you see what's inside!"

We bring the primer, paint, wreaths, and flowers and we do all of the work.

With a little style and charm we can showcase the beauty of your home in a lasting first impression while you sit back and relax.