Guest Post by Lucille Rosetti
After the loss of a loved one who shares your home with you, you may look around your house and realize it’s just not home anymore. There may be too much room, too much stuff, or too many memories for you to want to continue living there. Or perhaps you see this as an opportunity to live somewhere you have always wanted to. Whatever your motivations, there are a couple things you should consider.
First, moving has to be your decision. It can’t be someone else’s. Even if you are just going across town, moving is a huge life change with various implications. If you’re not 100 percent sure you want to relocate, it may not be the best option. Make sure you give yourself some time to ensure you make the move for yourself instead of a knee-jerk reaction.
Second, support is imperative when grieving the loss of a loved one. If moving will separate you from your support system, is it a healthy thing to do? It’s important to recognize whether you want to move for healthy reasons or if you are just trying to run away from your problems. There’s nothing wrong with seeking a fresh start, but if you want to avoid difficult emotions and problems, they will catch up with you no matter where you are.
Moving Tips for the Grieving
If you know you want to move, and it’s for the right reasons, you’re not alone. Many people decide that leaving their house, downsizing, and relocating are productive ways to move on. Below are some helpful tips and resources to make the process go smoother.
- Wait six months to a year after the death before putting a house on the market. Not only do you need that time to recover and grieve, but it will also allow you enough time to work on going through your loved one’s belongings. Please note that six months to a year is a starting-out point; you may want to take longer, so take as much time as you need. It’s better than jumping into something unprepared.
- Look for local charities and nonprofits that will pick up belongings you want to get rid of or donate. Having people pick up the items will make the process less stressful.
- Don’t just get rid of your loved one’s things. Get rid of your extra unused items as well. Downsizing belongings is healthy, and having less to pack will make selling your house and moving that much easier.
- Ask a friend or family member to help you with cleaning out the house and going through your loved one’s belongings. This can be an emotional process, so it’s helpful to have family or a close friend join you.
- Hire a housekeeper to clean every inch of your house before putting it on the market. After a thorough cleaning, daily cleaning will maintain the pristine look while you show your home.
- When it is time to sell your home, advertise on a neighborhood online message board. Your existing neighbors may share the listing with home buyers they know. People are more likely to want to move there if they know others in the neighborhood.
- Stage your home like a professional: clear clutter, move things around, set tables, elevate your curtains, and let light in.
- When looking for a new place, have a lifestyle in mind. If something about the house or neighborhood or any other aspect does not contribute to the ideal lifestyle you’re looking for, then keep looking.
- Hire movers and packers to take care of the heavy lifting and transporting of your goods. It’s really not a task you should take up on your own. Just be sure to compare prices.
After the loss of a loved one, you may find yourself wishing you could move and leave the pain behind. It’s important to take your time when making decisions and not to rush into anything drastic. However, if you’ve waited over a year and you still want to move, do it smartly. Go through your loved one’s things slowly and clean out some of your own stuff while you are at it. Find professionals who can help; don’t take on everything on your own. Finally, make smart decisions when listing your house for a fast and successful sale.