Using Storage When Moving

This is a guest post from Joseph Ver at www.sparefoot.com. SpareFoot helps you find the right self-storage center for your needs.  Click here for more info.

With a stack of about fifty sheets of papers that I had to read for an upcoming project, I decided to watch some television as I faced this daunting task. As I flipped through various channels (Guy Fieri eating food, a group of people designing a house, a bad reality show on “music television”) I finally settled with another fairly bad reality show: Storage Wars. Now I say that somewhat facetiously as I can allow myself to indulge in a little “bad” reality television. Plus, Storage Wars is a thirty minute show that requires no commitment to actually watching it. I could passively watch it while I underlined and took notes on the population policies in China. But while I was watching the show, I couldn’t help but think about the different reasons why people have things in storage. Why were these items that they are auctioning off in these units in the first place? People use storage for various reasons and don’t really think about it until they need it. When putting your home on the market, here are some ways you can use storage when you need it.

Relocating in the same city. Not every person moves due to job related circumstances that forces them to relocate to another city. Some people just want a bigger home. When you plan on relocating in the same city, try renting out a storage unit to cut down on the stress. Slowly ease into your new home instead of moving in all at once. Bring in a few items throughout a time period (a few days, weeks, or a month) and store things that aren’t absolutely necessary in a storage unit. I equate this to buying a new fish. Before you place your fish inside the tank, you want it to get used to the water temperature first, so you place the bag that the fish is in the water for thirty minutes to allow the fish to acclimate to the temperature. By slowly moving in, transitioning will go a lot more smoothly for yourself and your family.

Staging your home. Before you move, you might need to sell your home first. Many people talk about the necessity of home staging. (Editor’s note: you can view my series on staging by clicking here.)   The process can sound daunting, but depending on the condition of your house, it can be as simple as making sure the grass is clipped, to very complex as flipping your rooms upside down. You can always get a professional to help stage your home, but if you lack the funds, here are a few tips to take in consideration. Make sure that your house is decluttered. When someone comes in to view your home, they are imagining themselves in that new living space. Sure they’re not going to have your furniture, but if a bedroom looks cramped due to a bulky treadmill, then they’re going to think that room is cramped. Open up your space and think about placing things, like that treadmill, in a storage unit. You may have an antique lamp that has been handed down from your family, but if it causes a room to look off, stow it away. The most important thing in staging your home is putting yourself in the shoes of the buyer. Throw trash away, make your beds, and keep the sink clear.

Selling your home and finding a new one can be a very stressful process. If you find small simple ways to make things a little easier, they will add up and make the experience less stressful. Think about using a storage unit. Not in the market? There are still ways to use storage that are relevant to this information. Now excuse me, as I watch another episode of Storage Wars.