With the holiday seasons arriving, real estate transactions tend to slow down as moving over the holidays is never ideal. With unpredictable weather, countless social events and the steady flow of nostalgic holiday memories, it can be hard to want to move from your home.

Here are 6 tips for when you have to move over the holidays:

1. Block off time in your calendar for your move.

Moving is stressful at any time of the year, but it can feel overwhelming during the stressful holiday season. Assess how much time you have before your move and work backward to schedule yourself. This keeps your packing at a manageable, leisurely pace. For extra assistance, look into hiring a moving company to handle the heavy lifting.

2. Plan holiday gatherings away from your home.

The holiday season is a time to celebrate and gather with the people that mean the most to you. Just because you’re moving doesn’t mean you have to miss out on hosting. If possible, consider hosting your gatherings away from your home or have smaller gatherings to limit your stress.

You can also defer your hosting duties this year and promise a big bash next season in your new home.

3. Plan your packing.

There’s nothing scarier than looking at a room full of things and knowing it all needs to be packed away at once. We suggest making a packing plan by room. Start with the spaces you use the least often, like guest rooms, closets and storage areas, then move on to the bigger rooms.

You can also use your spare rooms to store your packed boxes to avoid stressful clutter.

4. Don’t pack all your holiday decorations.

You still want to feel the holiday spirit in your home while you pack, so don’t just go straight to packing the decor boxes away. Select a few favourites that you don’t want to miss out on.

We also suggest opting for a smaller tree when moving as that can take up a lot of space in your home. 

5. Consider the unexpected moving expenses.

Nobody likes to work during the holiday season, your movers included. Keep in mind, you may need to pay a premium for services around this time. We also suggest confirming your reservations for movers and other services multiple times, as the holidays tend to make people and companies more forgetful.

6. Buy moving supplies during holiday sales.

All of these tips may have made it seem like moving during the holidays is always harder, but there are some benefits. You can take full advantage of holiday sales like Black Friday to purchase your moving supplies. December is a month with huge discounts across many retail sectors, so you may just find a great deal on supplies you need.

Moving over the holiday doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following these tips, you can avoid a lot of the stress of moving and enjoy your holiday season.

If you are thinking about making your real estate move, you need a strong team on your side. Whether you are looking to buy or sell property in the Greater Ottawa Area, it is critical that you have a real estate agent on your side who understands your needs. Adam Mills and his team have been in business for over ten years and have a proven track record for success. Our team is composed 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] for more information or help with your relocation.