Beating
Sellers’ Stress
Three things are
certain in life: death, taxes ... and undue stress caused by moving.
Whether or not you use
not you use the services of a Realtor to help you wade through the
uncertain waters of the buy-and-sell process, moving is
stressful, period. And there’s not much you can do to avoid it. And
we’re not just talking about packing and paperwork. Moving is an
emotional process. If you’re not calming down your nervous children,
you’re trying to reassure yourself that you’ll meet people in your
new neighborhood, that you bought the best house within your means, and
that your kids’ new schools will measure up.
It’s easy to forget while we’re dealing with all
of these jitters that moving actually can represent an exciting
adventure, a growth opportunity and the prospect of new beginnings. Once
the dust settles after your move, you’re entering one of the most
memorable times of your life. With any luck, you’ve recruited a
Realtor who’s familiar with the obvious stresses as well as the
insidious (and subsequently more detrimental) ones. Depending upon your
relationship with your Realtor, you should be able to rely on him or her
for more than just closing the deal. Your Realtor also should be able to
calm your trepidations by giving you the support you need -- giving you
the facts about that new school district, reassuring you that your
jitters are perfectly normal, and giving you as much information about
your new hometown as possible, increasing your familiarity with the
previously unknown.
It’s important to remember throughout the entire
selling and buying process, however, to reserve time for yourself and
your family. It’s not a waste of time, but rather an insurance policy
for your sanity and continued happiness. Stress is sneaky, as we’ve
all discovered. It can eat away at us during what are supposed to be the
happiest of times, because after all, any major change in life is
stressful. If it’s suppressed, it can wreak havoc both emotionally and
physically and spread throughout the family. And there’s nothing worse
than moving a grumpy family across the country. For the sake of your
continued family unity, keep in mind the following stress-relieving
measures:
First, remember that it’s perfect normal to feel
unsure of your decision right now. You’ve just made a major
commitment, and all of us experience those last-second "What on
earth did I just do" worries after signing contracts and making
life-changing decisions. Instead of becoming overwhelmed with "what
ifs" and dread, reframe this decision as a prime opportunity to
begin your lives in a new environment. The old saying "When one
door closes, another one opens" definitely applies here. Trust that
your Realtor is looking out for your best interests, ask as many
questions as you need to throughout the entire process (that’s part of
what your Realtor is paid for), and look forward to the adventure that
lies ahead of you.
If you can, keep an emergency fund in case you run
into any unexpected costs. One example: If your buyer comes forward
after a home inspection is completed and requests a series of repairs
prior to move-in, you’ll be prepared. Chances are good that you
won’t necessarily agree with the buyer’s requests, but at least you
won’t face the additional stress of being short the money for repairs
if you plan ahead and save some extra cash (no set amount -- just as
much as you can handle. A goal you might try to shoot for would be in
the range of $2,500). It’s probably in your best interests not to try
to guess what the buyer will want to repair, and then fix it ahead of
time. That’s because buyers have a habit of isolating areas of your
home that you never considered having repaired, and not even noticing
the ones you expected them to pinpoint. So save yourself any expenses
until you’ve determined their requests.
And while we’re on the subject of finances, try to
anticipate and prepare for the initial expenses you’ll face upon
move-in. Resign yourself to the fact that during the moving process,
you’re going to feel as if you’re holding your wallet upside down,
and everyone -- movers, contractors, buyer, etc. -- is sitting
underneath, catching the windfall and demanding a larger share. Keep in
mind that this is an investment for the good of your family, and that
these costs are a one-time inevitability.
Remind yourself of why you’re moving in the first
place. A job transfer, or is it a voluntary choice? Obviously, whether
or not you had some degree of control over the decision will affect your
outlook. Regardless of your answer to that question, round up as much
information as you can about your new hometown. What kinds of cultural
offerings does the town/city offer? What are its landmarks and natural
attractions? Research some possible day trips you might take with the
family once you’re settled. Is your new hometown near state borders,
giving you the opportunity to explore different regions of the country
without much effort?
Envision your new home. Where will you place the
furniture? Remind yourself of the home’s primary selling points. Will
you have more space? More closets? A large backyard and/or swimming
pool? What does your new street look like? Do a lot of young families
reside there? If so, your children are likely to be reassured by that
knowledge. As often as possible, try to picture yourself and your family
fully adapted to your new environment.
Remember to have a
little fun occasionally. You’re still allowed, even if you feel as if
you don’t have a penny left to your name. Take the family out to
dinner, to a movie or a picnic -- anything that gets all of you out of
the house and away from boxes, paperwork, emotions and all of those
pre-move concerns. Keep a regular "date" to get out together
-- for example, every Friday night leading up to the move. Take your
mind off your stress for a few hours, and remind yourself that your
family members are experiencing many of the same emotions. Like misery,
stress often loves company, so enjoy your time together and remember
that this stress won’t last forever. Regardless of what you’re
feeling now, the move will happen and everything will eventually fall
into place. Journeying into the unknown is what makes life rewarding, so
trust in your Realtor’s expertise and in your family’s resilience,
and look forward to the journey ahead.
Paul
and
Judy Wilson
and
TheWilsonHomeTeam.com
, your real estate consultants … for life!
293-1224 or 275-5464
