Making a move is challenging. Even knowing that you’re potentially moving to a bigger place or closer to family can’t eliminate all of the feelings of anxiety and the stress involved in a move. As a parent, our kids can feel this stress, too, so help with this by enrolling them in the process. It’s important to involve your children in the process to make the transition easier and this can be especially difficult if you’re being transferred for employment. So once you have your children on board, involve them in the SOLD steps below.
1. Let’s look at each letter in the word S-O-L-D. The first is “S” – Create Space. This means that you’ve got to eliminate anything that you’re not using anymore. In the kids department, this is the baby swing, bouncy chairs and clothes that are too big and too small. It’s major purge time! Remember, what you don’t purge you are going to have to move. Buyers don’t want to walk into your house and have to trip over a skateboard, step over stuffed animals or feel like they just walked into a toy store. If you have to, store some of these items until the move. Get de-cluttered FAST!
2. A place for everything….the dollar store may very well become your best friend during this process as small totes or storage containers can aid in cleaning up messes when a last minute showing appointment calls . . . and yes, that will happen. If the kids are sprawled all over the dining room table gluing box tops projects get some containers that help you quickly scoop up the project and store out of site (underneath the dining room table would be a good example.) A nice wicker basket might be a good addition.
3. Minimize the furniture in bedrooms, let your children rotate out the stuffed animal collection and store any not current seasonal clothing. It’s a great game to play “Who gets to be on display today?” when rotating the animal collection. Storage containers that roll under beds and allow for the kids to access their stuff easily and allow for you to put it all away in a timely fashion can be a life saver. Also, get easy-to-make bed arrangements. This may be a nice comforter you can just neatly toss over unmade sheets that’s forgiving and looks nice.
4. The “O” and “D” in S-O-L-D go hand in hand: Eliminate odors (diaper pails, cat litter, teenagers running shoes or soccer gear) and remove ALL dirt. Having a routine that involves the kids in will make your preparation go so much easier. Put someone in charge of floors and another in charge of trash and quickly shoving all the dirty laundry in the washer (with the door shut) when an appointment is made. Don’t try to cover up smells either. Burning candles or using too much Fabreeze or air freshener can add the same odor problem and you have to be mindful to those with allergies. Keep your pets clean. This can be another chore the kids can assist with.
5. Last but not least, there is the “L” in sold. Make sure there is plenty of light. A great routine for young kids is see how fast they can run and turn every light on and open every window blind. The more children feel involved in the process, the smoother the transition will be for everyone.
Rosie Hetman-Clemente is the broker/owner of Atlantic Shores Realty of Jacksonville, LLC and is a Jacksonville Beach resident. Follow Atlantic Shores Realty on Facebook or visit them online at www.HomesInJacksonvilleFl.com. Rosie has been in real estate since 1997. Let her and her team move you! Full Service, full time, performance guaranteed Residential and Commercial Sales and Leasing, Relocation Assistance, Property Management, Tenant Procurement and Real Estate Investment.
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