How to take the sting out of moving on

SELLING your home is always a wrench, especially if it has been your family residence for a long time and is full of happy memories.

If you then add the stress of organising the actual move – deciding what to take and what to discard, packing everything up, hiring movers and dealing with details like insurance, utility and phone disconnections and letting everyone know about your change of address – it’s no wonder that sellers often feel like calling the whole thing off, says Jan Davel, managing director of the RealNet real estate franchise group.

“It doesn’t help that moving often brings with it all sorts of unexpected expenses such as connection deposits, locksmith’s charges, additional insurance, cleaning costs and, if you are moving from a freehold property to an estate, access tag deposits and the first month’s levy.”

But cancelling the deal is generally not an option unless you want to incur severe legal and financial penalties, he says, so the best thing to do is remind yourself why you decided to sell and then try to focus on creating a bright future in your new area and community.

“You may have decided to sell, for example, because your treasured home is actually too big for you, or not as secure as you would like. Perhaps you are finding it hard to maintain, or it is costing too much in terms of utilities and rates and taxes. Perhaps your lifestyle or job has changed and you need a different type of home. Or perhaps you decided to sell because you need more space to accommodate a growing family, an ageing parent or a home business, or because you want to live in a better area.

“Whatever the reason, you need to remember that selling your home was only the first part of a bigger overall plan, and try to focus on how good you will feel once the actual move is over and that plan starts to unfold – into your dream job, or more travel, or a peaceful life in a country town, or a chance to make new friends.”

To help you do this, you should:

• Reserve some time for family and relaxation even in the midst of your move. This will give you a chance to share your view of the future and help you to see the sale of your home as a move forwards rather than a move away.

• Set a budget for your move and keep close tabs on your expenditure. It is all too easy in the upheaval to be tempted into “comfort shopping’ or buying things for your new home that you don’t really need right away. Remember too, that most of the unusual expenses you encounter now will be once-offs.

• Start finding out as much as you can about your new neighbourhood or home town. Research it like a tourist and make a list of the attractions, landmarks and cultural activities that interest you or other family members, as well as a definite plan to explore or experience them as soon as possible.

This should give you a sense of adventure and discovery and significantly lessen the dread of moving.