Making a move to a new city can be one of the most significant decisions you ever make. There are many reasons you may be relocating, whether it’s for work, needing a change of scenery, or you simply can’t afford to live in the same neighbourhood anymore. Regardless of your reason, there are several important factors to remember and emphasize while looking for a new home. Before deciding to relocate, you should consider the following 3 things. 

1. Do You Have the Right Budget Saved for Relocation?

There are many costs associated with relocation, and depending on your reason for relocation, you may have to pay for the bulk of the expenses out of pocket. We suggest saving 10% of your new house’s total budget for moving and fixing up the place. This should be more than enough for a move and leave you some leftover money for the inevitable surprise(s) that may arise. Some costs that you need to consider include:

• A Mover 
• Cost of travel 
• Insurance
• New furniture (i.e. bigger home, different size rooms, or potential of furniture being damaged along the way) 
• You should also set aside some money to live for a few months if you do not have a job lined up once you are situated. 

2. Hire a Professional Moving Company

Save yourself the stress and budget for a professional moving company. Of course, this depends on the distance you are relocating to, but if it’s anything further than 45 minutes, we suggest hiring pros. A moving company will keep your things tidy and safe and will be able to load and unload promptly. You can always set a boundary for the items only YOU move, which we suggest, including things like family heirlooms, passports, documents, etc. All in all, moving can be very stressful but hiring a moving company certainly eases the process.

3. How To Decide What To Take With You When Moving To a New Home

A new home should be considered a fresh start; We suggest going through the Marie Kondo process and only bringing things with you that ‘Spark Joy.’ Ideally, you want only to take the things that you can’t replace. Either sell or throw away the big and not sentimental things that you can afford to replace. Getting rid of the things you can replace minimizes the moving costs and the stress of lugging those items around.

Adam Mills and his team have been in business for over ten years and have a proven track record for success. Our team is comprised of knowledgeable and experienced professionals who are happy to help you navigate the ever-changing Ottawa real estate market. Please contact us at 613-825-7653 or email us at [email protected].