3 tips to ease the stress of moving house

Moving house – it should be one of life's most exciting milestones but it's often one of the most challenging as well. 

The Australian Institute of Family Studies rates moving as one of the most stressful experiences a person can have, next to things like losing a loved one or separating from a long term partner. 

At Ray White Surfers Paradise, we think it's time to do away with moving stress. While there's a great deal of time, money and hard work associated with a big move, we want to help our customers focus on what matters most: enjoying their new Gold Coast property.

That's why we've come up with these three tips for a painless, stress free transition. 

1. Take your time and stay organised

After you've officially signed over your home, there are heaps of things that need to be organised.

Avoid becoming overwhelmed – or worse, missing an important step in the moving process – by making a dated to-do list of everything you need to accomplish in the months, weeks and days before vacating your current home. 

This list should include a range of tasks, including:

• Make mortgage arrangements with your lending institution,
• Cancel all utilities and subscriptions,
• Formally change your address and redirect your mail, 
• Clean and pack, 
• Make arrangements with friends or professional movers.

Prioritise each task and make deadlines to hold yourself accountable. At the same time, however, be flexible. Not everything will go to plan, which is why it's so critical to allow yourself ample time before you need to be out. 

Keep in mind that this list just scratches the surface – your Ray White Surfers Paradise agent can help you think of all other essential tasks. 

2. Find that all-important me time

Why does moving top the Australian Institute of Family Studies most stressful life experiences? While the amount of money at stake doesn't help – you are, after all, selling your largest asset – there's also a great deal of emotional strain associated with moving. 

Leaving a home isn't just doing away with a property, you're also starting a new life, saying goodbye to friends, adjusting to a new location and possibly entering your children in a new school. 

To avoid this all becoming too much, it's essential to practice self care throughout the moving process. Find healthy ways to manage stress, including spending time with family and friends, exercising, taking a walk, listening to music or reading a favourite book. 

It's also important to focus on the positives. While moving is meant to be happy, you may be worried about things like starting a new job or affording your mortgage repayments. 

To this end, don't rush! Give yourself plenty of time to think carefully about the choice and discuss it with your family. It's essential to have closure with the people and property you're leaving behind. 

3. Don't be afraid to throw things out

Australians get pretty comfortable in their homes. Nearly 60 per cent of Australians over age 14 have lived at their current property for more than five years, according to Roy Morgan. 

Don't add unnecessary stress to your move by working with an inexperienced or unhelpful real estate agency. 

At Ray White Surfers Paradise, we have extensive experience helping Queenslanders move out of one property and into their dream home. That's what makes us so well equipped to help you on your own journey. 

To find out more, reach out to our expert team today.