Your children are all grown up and have families of their own. You have so many precious memories in your family home, but it is just too big for you and your partner to look after alone. Whether you want to downsize to a more manageable property or move somewhere with more lifestyle amenities, it can be hard to say goodbye to the place you called home for the past few decades. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to make it easier to move on.
Make peace with your decision
Giving up your family home is not a decision to rush into. Before you make the hard call, it is a good idea to allow plenty of time to think about whether you truly want to sell the house or not. If you have been debating your options for a while, then it is probably time to decide one way or the other. Being honest with yourself will help you make the right decision in the long run. Talk to family members and close friends to get their input as well. They may see things differently from you and have important points that you did not consider about keeping or selling the property.
Find a good real estate agent
A great real estate agent like Myers & Myers Real Estate can make a big difference in your moving journey. You can get in touch with them before you make a final decision about selling the house to get a better idea of what to expect during the process. They can also make suggestions about other alternatives to selling such as renting it out or leasing it to a relative. At first, you will be unsure that a new home will be good enough to replace the current one. Luckily, a reputable real estate agent will be able to supply with you a variety of options that meet your needs and can help you grow an interest in moving.
Take as many photographs as possible
It is often difficult to remember the little details about a house after you have been living there for a long time. There may be that little cabinet in the entryway that always gets stuck when you try to open it or the way the light comes through the curtains in the living room at dusk. Small things like that made your house a home and it would be lovely to look back and remember them. Taking photos of each room in your house is a great way to keep a record of the way things were. The photographs do not have to be staged; in fact, the closer to real life they are, the better.
Have a house-leaving party
If your children have left the nest, a house-leaving party is a nice way to get them all back to bid farewell to their childhood home. You can reminisce about the memories you made together as a family in the house and take the last few photographs of them in their old bedrooms. Throwing a party will also give your neighbors and friends who have spent time in the house a chance to say goodbye. A house-leaving party can be very cathartic for you and your children, and it can allow you to move on to the next chapter of your life feeling thankful and positive instead of sad and regretful.
Get to know your new home
If possible, visit your new home and start getting excited about the prospect of moving in. Spend a few days looking around and exploring the local area. This will help you get used to the area and make you feel less hesitant about moving when the time comes. You may also want to consider visiting your new neighbors beforehand so that you can make a few connections and have some social events to look forward to. Think about how you can add your personal touch to your new home. Would you landscape the garden or create a book-reading nook? The possibilities are endless!
Something old, something new
Moving house is a great time to get rid of all the things that you no longer need. But it is always nice to bring something meaningful from your old home to your new one. For instance, you may like to bring along your husband’s favorite armchair or the antique knocker on the front door. If you are not moving too far away, you may even be able to transplant some of your favorite plants to your new yard. Sweet touches like this can make your new home feel instantly more homely and comfortable. Just make sure that the new owners of the property are not expecting these items to come with the house!
Moving away from your family home can be an emotionally challenging experience. However, it is important to view the move as an opportunity to begin a fresh and exciting chapter. Take the time to think your decision through and make peace with what must happen. Remember that there are plenty of new memories waiting to be made in your new place as well. Once you have accepted that it is time to leave, you can say your final goodbyes to the house and start looking forward to your new life.