2 Steps to Take Before Selling Your Home

Is moving feeling overwhelming? We know that you are excited to get into your new home - hopefully a waterfront property in beautiful Palm Beach?! Follow the two pieces of advice below to make your move even smoother! 

1) Research the neighborhood

• • Are you getting ready to move to a new neighborhood? If so, before putting down roots in a new community it’s important to do your research. Taking the time to thoroughly research a new neighborhood can save you time, money, and future hardships. Here are some tips for researching a new neighborhood before you move in.

First and foremost, you should take a look at the crime statistics in the area. Your personal safety should be a priority, so checking crime statistics can help you gain valuable insight into the safety of the neighborhood. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) provides rates of violent crime, property crime, and overall crime statistics on their website (https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/). Additionally, most major cities have a police department website with detailed maps that show the crime statistics for each area. 

Next, you will want to determine the quality of the housing in the area. Your local Housing and Urban Development office (HUD) website should have information about the quality of the housing in a particular area (https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal). Additionally, you can find out what kind of properties are located in the neighborhood by looking at property records as well as real estate listings in the area.

Finally, you should get to know the people who live in the neighborhood. The best way to do this is to visit the neighborhood yourself to get

2) Purge and decluttering items

• • Moving homes can be an exciting time, but it can also be a stressful experience. Not only do you have to worry about packing, loading and unloading, but you also have to worry about purging and decluttering items that you already own. This can be a difficult and time-consuming task if you don't tackle it head-on. 

Decluttering and purging can be a helpful way to streamline the moving process and start fresh in your new home. Before you begin packing, it's important to get rid of any items that you don't need or use anymore. This will make things a lot easier when the time comes to unpack and organize in your new space.

When you begin the decluttering process, focus on areas of your home that are cluttered and full of items you no longer use. This can include your closet, kitchen cabinets, bedroom drawers, garage, and storage shelves. Get rid of any items that you don't need, don't use, or don't want anymore. Even if you haven't used something in a while, ask yourself if it's worth packing and taking with you to your new home. If not, then it’s time to let it go!

Once you've determined which items you want to get rid of, there are a few options for what you can do with them. You can donate them to charity, sell them for some extra cash, or simply throw them away.

This is just a start! These two steps will have you well on your way to feeling ready and prepared for your move!