Written by Wena Roeloffze, Real Estate Consultant and Lifestyle Expert. Owner of Realty Club 74, brokered by Coldwell Banker Realty.

You must wonder why on earth would I write a blog about keeping your home in a move-out ready condition. This is an easy answer, because every day I see people scramble in chaos to get their homes ready to be sold. Plenty of examples to name, one being an elderly couple needing to move closer to their kids in another state. Saw a beautiful home, made an offer on the fly and now has to sell and move within days. Yikes! Whether you're moving across town or to a different state, the process requires thorough preparation and organization. With only a few days to plan, pack and sell, here is my comprehensive guide on things you need to have in order in and around your home - all the time - to ensure a smooth, quick and stress-free relocation.

1. Keep Your Home Decluttered and Organized

Assess Your Belongings on a Schedule

Set reminders on your smartphone or wall calendar to go through each room and assess your belongings, twice a year. Decide what to keep, donate, sell, or throw away. This step will help you reduce the volume of items you might need to move and can also be a refreshing opportunity to declutter your life. Doing this on a regular basis will ensure that you use everything you own, prevent unintentional hoarding and making it easier to clean and organize your home. Create a space for everything by organizing every room in a practical way according to your lifestyle needs.

Host a Garage Sale or Donate

Consider hosting a garage sale for items you no longer need but are still in good condition. Alternatively, donate to local charities or shelters. This not only helps others but also gives you a tax deduction benefit.

2. Organize Important Documents

Gather and Secure Vital Records

Collect important documents such as birth certificates, passports, medical records, insurance policies, real estate and financial documents. Place them in a secure, easily accessible folder that you can carry with you on moving day. I would also recommend that you make digital copies of all these vital records and paperwork. Scan and save all paper invoices and save them on appropriate files on your computer or a memory card.

Regularly Update Your Information

Update your information with banks, insurance companies, utility providers, and other relevant organizations. Keeping a log of all your subscriptions, accounts, providers and contracts, makes it easy to cancel and change addresses when you suddenly have to make a move.

3. Create a Home Inventory

Document Your Possessions

Create a detailed inventory of all your belongings, including photos or videos. This can be invaluable for insurance purposes and helps ensure nothing gets lost or left behind during the move.

Label Storage Bins Clearly

Most people love to decorate their homes for holidays and special occasions. These decorations are usually stored until needed. Put these items in sturdy bins or specialized bags and label each bin or bag with its contents. This is a very simple way to reduce your packing and makes it much more manageable and ensures fragile items are handled with care.

4. Clean and Repair on a Schedule

Clean Thoroughly - One Room at a Time

No one loves cleaning, however, it is much easier to do regular cleaning. Create a cleaning schedule to give each room a clean at least twice a month. Deep cleaning can be reserved for twice a year to refresh.

Complete Regular Maintenance and Repairs

Fix any minor repairs that you’ve been putting off, such as leaky faucets, broken tiles, or chipped paint. Start by making a list of regular maintenance items and get it on automated reminders. Make a list of all items needing repair and start doing one by one. This not only makes your home more appealing and increases the value, but also ensures your enjoyment of your home.

5. Keep Exterior and Landscaping in Good Condition

Maintain Exterior of Home

First impressions make a difference, so keep the exterior of your home in good condition by regularly inspecting and cleaning your siding, gutters, roof, steps and walkways. Regular maintenance of these items will ensure that you have no imminent high costs in repairs.

Keep Landscaping Neat

Take care of weeds before it is overgrown and make sure to always have your lawn mowed and neat. If ever you have to move suddenly, there will be no need to perform extra tasks to get that neat and tidy.

Life happens and maybe you might need to move in a hurry (for legal purposes). By keeping your home in a good condition, you are saving yourself a lot of headaches and time, plus, you reap the benefits of always enjoying a neat, decluttered and organized home. Relocating can be a smooth and organized process with proper planning and preparation. By following these steps, you can ensure that any imminent move is efficient, stress-free, and successful. Remember, the key to a successful relocation is to start early, stay organized, and take it one step at a time.

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