Removing the Clutter when relocating

I have sent so many postcards out to clients during the spring to announce the time to do spring cleaning. I wish I had sent a few to myself. I really didn't think we had too much extra stuff but boy was I wrong.

As a Realtor dealing with relocating clients, keep in mind the mountain of things that they had to do. Now they might have a service that is provided by their company but even with a service they may be distracted or concerned about the whole process. Ask them where they are at in the process. If your are showing homes or rentals to a client, they will really appreciate the attention to their struggles in relocating. You may not have to offer a solution but you may just be a ear to listen.

Here is some of the things that I had struggles with and where I found some relief.

1. Determine what you are taking and what is staying. How much do you want to store if you are not keeping a residence in your current location?



2. Contact local charities early on in the process for those items you want to donate. Sometimes the charities will not take your items. So call early!!!



3. In some cities, Craigslist is a lifesaver. If you are trying to sell items like furniture or office equipment then it is highly effective. Remember just like selling a home, Price is a factor. I even looked in Singapore to see if they use Craigslist and they do. So I may be getting some items I need that way.



4. Are your clients relocating a pet? This could add considerable frustration to your clients move. Some countries have specific rules regarding pets. We are bringing a cat to Singapore and they require health checks, tracking chips installed and a 30 day quarantine period. I only thought that bring my cat on the plane was the only worry.



5. If your clients are trying to get rid of a lot of items and they can't sell them, encourage them to call friends, family, co-workers, and church. We found a lot of help from these people.

Now these are not all the struggles we have had but I decided not to rail on the cox cable company or local cleaning companies that failed to even show up for their schedule appointments. Ask me and I will tell you but you may just shudder with fear when you hear how some people do business.

I would like to thank our family in the US, from Mom to our Sister Germaine, for all the help they provided. And especially our friends George and Mary for being a huge relief.

As we finish the last of the items before we go, we now realize that we had way too much stuff. I challenge anyone reading this if you have a garage or storage area that you have boxes that you haven't opened since the last time you moved, its time to let go. Don't take spring cleaning for granted. And remember to donate, your junk may be someones treasures.

NEXT STOP--SINGAPORE!!!