Home Selling Guide

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Easing seller’s stress

Death, taxes and moving - the three facts of life. When you’re selling your home and planning a move, it’s a stressful time in life. Moving is more than packing and paperwork. It’s an emotional process. You’re saying goodbye to memories, a neighborhood and friends. You’re thinking about the adjustments you’ll have to make in your new home and community. You’re trying to calm yourself down. You’re trying to calm down your nervous children.

You tell yourself you will meet nice people in your new neighborhood, you bought the best home within your budget, and your kids will do well in their new school. Despite all these jitters, moving is an exciting adventure, with many prospects of new beginnings. Here are a few ideas on how you can make the selling of your home less stressful.

Take time. Don’t forget to take care of yourself and your family. This means taking a break for a movie, a meal or any other activity the family would like. Taking care of yourself is not a waste of time. Rather, it is essential. When you are stressed out yourself, you can’t properly care for others, or handle the numerous details involved with a move. Stress is sneaky. It eats at us during the happiest of times. Any major life change is stressful, whether positive or negative. For your family’s sake, be sure to deal with the stress as it happens. If stress is suppressed, it can wreck havoc both emotionally and physically and spread throughout your family. It’s not a pleasant experience, moving a grumpy family across town or across the country.

Respect your feelings. It’s normal to feel unsure of your decision. With any major commitment, there are always second thoughts. “What on earth did I do,” worries surface after signing contracts and making life-changing decisions. You’ve probably heard the expression: “When one door closes, another opens.” Look upon this move as a new opportunity. It’s your chance to meet new people, begin life in a new environment, and create a network of new friends and associates.

Conduct research. Prior to your move, research your new community. Round up as much information as you can about your new community or city. What kinds of cultural offerings does the community have? Are there any landmarks that you and your family would like to visit. Are all the services you require close by?

Envision your new home. Where will you place the furniture? What pictures will look best in what room? What about closet space? A large backyard and/or swimming pool? Try to picture yourself and your family full adapting and enjoying your new home.

Have fun. Like the many challenges that you have previously handled, you’ll handle this move, just fine. And while you’re at it, have some fun. Even if you’re broke, take some time to go to a movie, go out for dinner, or even a picnic. Engage in a fun activity that gets you and your family out of the house and away from boxes, paperwork, emotions and the pre-move concerns. Remember: the stress won’t last forever. Regardless of the way you’re feeling right now, you’ll get moved, settled into your new home and you’ll be just fine. Everything will fall into place. While journeying into the unknown can be difficult, it is also very rewarding.