Relocation to Lake Keowee
Congratulations! You’ve decided to move to the Lake Keowee area!
Now the fun begins…
Since moving is listed as one of life’s major stress factors, doing your homework and planning ahead can dramatically help take the edge off feelings of anxiety, being overwhelmed and the “deer in the headlights” paralysis that often arises.
The further away on the calendar your move is, the less stress you are likely to be feeling. This is the time to start planning your move. Don’t be in denial about it or put things off that will cause you unnecessary stress. Start with the date that you want to be in your new house and settled.
The first thing you need to decide if you own a home is whether you want to sell it, or rent it? Start lightening the load by weeding out the things that you won’t be bringing with you to the new location. Ask a reputable Realtor to come out and give you information on the market in your area as far as pricing, time frame, and renting vs selling. She is a professional and should be able to supply you with the info you need to make your decision and to take Step 1 in the move.
OK, are you ready for Step #2?
After selecting a Realtor to help you on this end, you must start looking for a Realtor to help you in your new location. You need someone who, of course, has a good reputable presence in the area. Most importantly, one that you can connect with and will understand what you are looking for. Check out some websites and call a few local realtors to ask what services they provide. It is important that your agent really knows the market and is willing to search for the home that meets your needs and wants without breaking the bank. You must supply your agent with a detailed criteria with the deal breakers (absolute needs) at the top of the list. It is never too early to select your new agent so you can start to develop a relationship with he/she. Then when you arrive to start looking, you have already chosen what houses you want to see and the process is much shorter, smoother and less stressful.
Well, here we are at Step #3 already!
See how easy, if you follow the steps….. Once we have gotten real clear on what you want in a house if you are buying, write it down so when you speak with your new agent you can be very specific even right down to the type of neighborhood you want to live in. You need to start thinking about a mover so get recommendations from friends, family, co-workers and your agent. It is best to interview three prospective movers to get a variety of bids. This will help you make your decision by comparing what each company offers. You should go with a nationwide mover, one that has an office in your current and new town. Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to complete this process so you don’t wreak havoc with your peace of mind. If you are like me, it doesn’t take much for my stress level to rise. Maybe a move management company is the way to go, they will manage the whole move from start to finish.
Step #4- Better Late than Never
Holidays have a way of distracting you from your routine! One last comment about movers.
Make sure that whoever you choose, they have “full value replacement coverage.” Very, very important! Standard movers liability is usually 60 cents, per pound, per article, which means that if the value on a piece of furniture is $3,000, weighs 100 lbs and arrives damaged from the move, you will get $60.00 to repair the piece or replace it. I didn’t know this, and just recently while moving my mother from Connecticut to NC, lost a lot of furniture to damages. When you put in a claim, trust me, the mover will win. Even if you continue to contest it ,they will eventually win. So save yourself some grief and find out, up front, what exactly their policy is.
OK, enough about that. How about packing? If you can afford it, have the movers pack for you, at least the really fragile stuff. Then they get to be responsible for the damage. If YOU pack it, all bets are off! You pack all the non-breakables, such as tupperware, books, linens, clothes. Let the liability fall on them with the breakables! Take the things that can’t be replaced with you when you travel to your new location.
This will probably be the most exhausting part of your relocation, but as long as you do your homework and feel confident with your choice of movers, it will be fine.
The Last Step! Two More Things…
One is your pets, the other is your kids. Preparing them for the move is a big step. Make sure you take your pet to their vet to inquire if they are up to date on all vaccinations. If the trip to the new house is relatively short then your pet should be fine traveling, however if it will take more than a day to arrive at your new location, then ask your vet if he would recommend a mild sedative. It is as stressful for animals as it is for us to move.
The main thing about your children, depending on their age, is to be honest and open about what they can expect from the move. If you keep communicating with them, asking what their feelings or fears are about moving, they will feel included. Let them make some decisions, like what color they would like their room to be or get them excited about the new neighborhood. Kids are more adaptable to change than we grownups are!
Finally, keep your sense of humor and don’t sweat the small stuff. Keep your focus on how great it will feel to be settled in your new house and how much fun it will be exploring the area and making new friendships.
