By 
When my husband and I bought our home, it was only 6 blocks away from our old home. Because of our busy schedules, we sorted, packed, tossed, and moved on moving day. This turned out to be a horrible idea, because it took way longer to move. We lost things in the move, belongings were thrown away on accident, and we were so tired, that we just threw our belongings in a moving truck. We were so thankful that our friends helped us move, but it would have been faster if we would have planned.
Here are some things you need to think about before, during, and after your home sells.
Before we get your home on the market:
Do you already know you will need time after your home closes and funds to move? Then we will need to disclose this to the buyer’s agents. Now how much time will you receive? That is negotiable.
Declutter and Depersonalize. Not only will this help make your home “Camera Ready”, but this will help you in the moving process. Sort items into three different piles: keep, toss, donate. I recommend tossing and donating items before you list your home. This means less to clean and organize. Plus, this will allow the potential buyers to envision their lives in the home.
Save all manuals for appliances, alarms, or anything that will be helpful information to buyer.
While your home is on the market:
Ask local businesses, friends, and neighbors for leftover boxes.
Continue to Declutter and Depersonalize. Storage too full? Buyers are understanding if there are boxes of your belongings in the garage. However, the boxes need to be organized and stacked nicely. Also, you will want to make sure that the boxes are out of the inspectors’ way (attic, electrical panel, water heater…).
Take a picture of the back of your television and computers. It will make it easier to remember how to assemble them!
Organize boxes with colored duct tape to identify the location of room. Put the duct tape on the side of the box, so you can still read when stacked.
After home appraises:
Contact utility providers and let them know you are moving.
Bring all keys, garage door openers, and manuals to closing.
Remove belongings out of the home and clean the home. Now, everyone’s version of clean is different. Whether you, or the buyer, pays for professional cleaning is negotiable. A professional cleaner will be able to provide an invoice to prove that the home was cleaned.
I believe in you. I know that if you take the time to plan, organize, and keep the things closest to you that make you happy. Sure furniture, and televisions are great. However new adventures, friendships, and community can lead to even more happiness. Whether you are moving across the street, state, country, or world, I hope that you can take a few of these ideas to help you move.
Happy Homeownership,
Kelly Raulston, REALTOR®
Reliable and Ready
Kelly Raulston
“Reliable and Ready” REALTOR® since 2016. I was born in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, but was raised in Texas since 1997. When I found out we were moving to Plano, Texas, I remember looking forward to riding a horse to school and a brand-new pair of cowboy boots! Growing up in Plano prepared me to be competitive, quick, and to have a strong work ethic.
I graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Axe’em Jacks! That is where my love for East Texas began. The nature, warm smiles, football games, and community values can't be beat! I graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. I was a middle school math teacher in Tyler, Texas. I met my husband, Travis, in Sunday school, and we have been married since September 2016.
I love being a REALTOR® in East Texas! Relationships are genuine, the area is beautiful, and the market is rockin’! I am an involved REALTOR® to better the community. Some of the organizations I am involved with are: The Professional Development Committee, Texas Real Estate Political Action Committee, and Tyler Educational Networking Group. Some awards I have won were “The Hustle Award” in 2016, and “Rookie of the Year” in 2017.
When I am not working with my clients, I like to spend quality time with my friends and family doing the following: running, target practice, read and participate in book club, and playing with my dachshund Greta.
