what to leave behind when you move

| Selling

If we’ve learned one thing about selling, it’s that the move can be more stressful than the entire purchase process! So, we thought we’d share some tips on what you need to pack and what to leave behind to make moving a little less “stressy.” Let’s jump right in, shall we?

What to Leave When Selling a House

Your Agreement of Purchase (APS) contains all the details of the sale, including what is known as “chattel.” Chattel is anything in the home or on the property that is not “affixed” and that you agreed to leave behind.

So, what do you legally need to leave when selling a house? Commonly, the APS includes large appliances in the kitchen and laundry room, and in some cases, specialty window treatments like custom blinds or California shutters.

However, items like that semi-permanent kitchen island you found at a reclaimed boutique shop are “fixtures,” which automatically stay unless expressly noted in the APS as not being included in the sale. So be sure to remove unique fixtures you intend to take with you before you list to avoid disputes.

Do you have more questions about buying a home or selling Toronto? Here are a few more posts you might find interesting: 

Know What You Need to Replace

Your new home’s APS is equally important, as it tells you all the things the seller plans to take with them. For example, some sellers love their kitchen appliances and decide not to include them as chattels. As the saying goes, this isn’t a hill you should die on when negotiating to purchase your dream house. So make sure you’re aware of the things you’ll need to replace or purchase before you move, such as:

  • Window treatments: Even though you’re likely taking your drapes with you, they might not fit your new windows. We always set up a final walk-through, so you can take measurements of things like windows.
  • Toilet seat(s): A lot of people think toilet seats have an ick factor when moving into a new place. They’re not wrong! You might want to replace toilet seats for a “fresh” start.
  • Lawnmower: If you made the big move from a condo apartment to a house with a lawn, you’ll need a lawnmower to maintain that curb appeal!

There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to buying and selling a home. Add in factors like the school and family commitments and things can get pretty hectic. Don’t worry though, we’ve got you covered with a Survival Guide to Buying and Selling During the School Year.

How to Pack for a Move in 3 Days

You can improve efficiency using this handy three-day guide. The days don’t have to be consecutive, BTW. Spread them out to suit your schedule based on the following tasks:

Day 1

  • Pack the rooms and storage spaces you don’t use every day, as the items in those rooms won’t be missed.
  • Pack seasonal clothes you won’t need using suitcases first and then boxes as required.

Day 2

  • Work your way through the home room-by-room based on lowest-used rooms to most-used rooms.
  • Set aside the essentials you need to prepare meals and pack these on day three.

Day 3

  • Pack the essentials you set aside on day two.
  • Pack a first-night box or two with bed linens, jammies, toiletries, and meds.
  • Move your boxes of essentials in your car, so you know exactly where to find them.

Moving to a new home is a fresh new start. Whether you’re looking for reno tips or decor inspo, here are a few more posts you might like: 

Quick Tips for How to Unpack After a Move

You can also use these tips to make unpacking a snap:

  • Label, label, and label: Stacked boxes cover the lid, so be sure to label the sides of the boxes as well to avoid frantic searches.
  • Room designations: Be more specific on labels to help movers find the rooms quickly, such as Master Bedroom, Baby’s room top floor right, and Office top floor left. Then put a sign on the door so they can match the box to the room.
  • List the details: List the details of the box content so anyone helping with the move knows where to go and anyone unpacking knows what’s in the boxes. Also, note if there is more than one box. Here’s an example:
    • Kitchen FRAGILE (1 of 5)
      • Cupboard contents 
      • Glasses
      • Plates
      • Teacups and mugs
  • Pack smart: Use things like towels and bedding to provide cushion protection for fragile items so you reduce the number of boxes needed. Use items from the same room such as kitchen towels when wrapping your everyday dishes and table linens when wrapping stuff for your dining room.

Still feeling overwhelmed? Good news! Our staging and decluttering regime helps get rid of tons of unwanted stuff you won’t have to pack. We also help chase away the moving day frazzles with recommendations for trusted moving, packing, and moving supply companies. In other words, you’ve got this ‘cause we’ve got you!

Whether you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, make sure you have the best Toronto real estate team on your side. Here at The Christine Cowern Team, we’ve helped countless buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals. Get in touch today by calling us at 416.291.7372 or emailing us at hello@christinecowern.com.