The move from starter to permanent home

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/09/2015 (3779 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

So, you’ve been living in your first home for a few years now and it’s starting to feel like you’re outgrowing the space.

If you feel like you’re ready to move into a more permanent space, where you can stretch out, grow a family or personalize the home’s details, there are a few steps you need to take into consideration.

Decide if you want to sell or buy first

If you are building a new home from the ground up, disregard this tip, but if you’re not sure whether you want to shop around before selling your first home, the decision isn’t always easy.

If you decide to buy first you will need to sell your first home quickly and you may end up losing some money in the process. If, on the other hand, you decide to sell first, then, unless you have somewhere to stay temporarily, you may end up settling for a home that doesn’t have all the features you want, simply because the move-in date is right.

Plan before you decide which option works best for you and try to set possession dates that give you appropriate moving out and moving in time.

Begin to de-clutter

Before you list your home, you need to think about all the things you don’t plan on taking with you to your new house. If you begin de-cluttering now, you’ll be able to show a home that looks more tidy and spacious. Your objective is to allow homebuyers to picture their belongings in it.

Release your emotional attachment

You’ve had a lot of memories in this home and it can be hard to let go. What’s important to keep in mind is that you will be creating a lifetime of memories in your new home and you’ll always have your memories or photos to remind you of the times you shared in your first home.
When staging and pricing your home for sale, it’s important to remain as neutral as possible. If emotions are getting in the way, allow yourself to pause and reminisce about your time spent in the home. Doing so will enable you to put your emotions aside when it comes time to properly stage and price your home.

Plan for visitors

Whether it’s by appointment only or through an open house on weekends, you should begin making your property look more like a show home and less like a lived-in home. Box up any items that over-personalize your home, such as family photos, unique artwork and heirlooms. Aim to stage the home in a neutral fashion.

This will facilitate the homebuyers’ ability to picture themselves in their new home, it will also ease your packing for the move.

Make small upgrades to the home

Whether you have months or weeks to make upgrades, it’s imperative that you make some minor improvements that will ultimately help you sell your first home. Something as simple as applying a fresh coat of paint in a neutral hue and replacing small worn-out items for shiny new ones could make all the difference.

And don’t forget to scrub your home until it’s spick and span!

Kim Ewchuk is a licensed sales representative and the general manager for ComFree Commonsense Network broker. Suggest column ideas by email at kim.ewchuk@comfree.com