Selling and Moving Checklist

Selling and moving out of your home can both be daunting and emotional. With so much to consider it is best to plan ahead and keep a checklist to ensure nothing of importance is overlooked. Here we suggest some tips for your checklists.

Getting your home ready for Selling 

First impressions are important. View your property as analytically as a potential buyer would. You might have to spend some money to spruce it up and make it look as attractive as possible. Create a checklist of things needing attention and update it as each item is actioned. Here's how to get your house ready for selling.    

Get your documents in order

• Make sure all renovations have council approved building plans. Trying to sort this out when you have a potential buyer could cause him to lose interest if any complications arise which he might feel will delay the sale.
• Get updated compliance documents for gas, electricity, electric fence etc.

Make your home look appealing

• Investigate your property for any leaks, damp, loose fittings and damages and get these fixed. 
• Clean up your garden, garage, gutters, pool and entertainment areas.  
• Mow the lawn and brighten flower beds and plant pots with appealing colourful flowering plants.
• Spring clean thoroughly - replace worn carpets, get windows sparkling clean and apply a fresh coat of paint where needed.
• Declutter as much as possible to make your home look like a "blank canvas" for viewers and for the professional photographs for marketing purposes.

Find a reliable and ethical real estate agent

Find a professional real estate agent, experienced in the area, to advise you on the right price for the current market and who will assist you in securing the right buyer and a quick sale. If a property sits on the market for too long, it is a good indication that it is incorrectly priced! 

For a reliable and ethical real estate agent, contact us: https://www.homesofdistinction.co.za/contact/

If you are planning on selling your home, we are a professional and reputable real estate agency and would love to assist you. Visit us at: https://www.homesofdistinction.co.za/

Getting your home ready for Moving

Moving house is a big exercise with so much to do and so many things to remember and take care of. Don't leave everything until the last minute, keep a moving checklist.

As soon as you know you are moving, create a detailed checklist of everything that needs to be handled and update it to keep yourself on track and to minimise the stress. 

Getting started

• Start a file to keep all documents pertaining to your move - to do lists, important numbers, moving quotation and details etc.
• Get some packing boxes and packing essentials - packaging tape, bubble wrap, tissue paper, stickers, marking pens etc.
• Label each box clearly with the room it's designated for and its number. Do NOT list its contents for security purposes.
• Keep an inventory of each box (its number, room it's going to, and details of each of its contents) so nothing gets misplaced. Use this as a checklist both for when you move out and then when you move into your new home.

Get packing, the earlier the better

It's best to get started with your packing as soon as possible - so it can be done in bits along the way and won't feel like such a huge exercise and chore. Declutter as you proceed and put any items to be discarded in a separate place. 

Firstly:

• Pack those items that won't be needed for the first few months of moving into your new home at the bottom of the box or in a separate box. 
• Designate a box to pack kitchen essential items you will need on moving day like kettles, mugs, coffee, cutlery, paper plates, paper towel, toilet paper, dishwashing liquid, drying cloth, garbage bags, tissues etc.
• Designate a box to pack with handy tools that may be needed when packing and unpacking - drill, hammer, screw drivers, alan-keys, extension cable, multi plug etc.
• Safely put aside any valuables like jewellery or important documents which you should rather transport yourself. Best to be safe than sorry!
• Take photos of your electronic device connections for easy and trouble-free installation when you get to your new home.

Then:

• Continue packing the rest of your boxes - setting aside a certain time or duration each day until everything is packed in the boxes.    
• Keep aside those items which will still be needed until the move and which can be packed on the last day.

Lastly

• Pack a box with bedroom essentials each person will need on the first night in your new home.

Make timeous arrangements for 

Booking a removal company

When most of your items have been packed into boxes, you can estimate the quantity of boxes to be transported. Contact removal companies for quotes and, if possible, arrange your booking for mid-month or mid-week when rates are cheaper. 

Handover of keys and remotes 

Make arrangements with your real estate agent, and with the owners of your new home, and their agent, for handovers of keys and remotes.

Child and pet minding

Organise a child-sitter and/or pet-minder for the day of the move so that they will not be in your way or distressed by the upheaval.

A week before

Avoid any unpleasant surprises and confirm dates and times with the removal company, the owners-to-be and the previous owners of your new home and your child and pet minders.

Cancel and reorganise services

Arrange the cancellation of services like municipal, DSTV, WI FI, fibre, electricity etc. at the old property and arrange appointments for similar services, if required, to be installed at the new property. 

Last minute checks

With the removal completed, nearly all the items of your checklist should be completely crossed off, leaving only the last-minute-checks to be completed and checked off.

Before leaving your old house for the last time, have a last minute check around the house to ensure that it's in a clean and neat condition, nothing has been forgotten or left behind, all the windows and doors are closed and locked securely, and the electricity and water is switched off. Take readings, and photos of these for verification, of your final water and electricity meterage. 

Make the final update on your moving checklist - now you are ready to leave your old home for the last time for a new life and adventure in your new home.

To contact us, follow the link: https://www.homesofdistinction.co.za/

To contact one of our Real Estate Agents, follow the link: https://www.homesofdistinction.co.za/agents/