5 Steps to Easily Downsizing and Moving with Your Pet
Like with most things in life, preparation is the key to successfully downsizing with a pet. Clearing out, packing and moving to a smaller home doesn’t have to cause you and your beloved pet anxiety. Following these five steps from Alfriend Group can make this transition easier for everyone.
1. Clean Out, Donate and Sell
Start the packing process months in advance. Think about your future surroundings and start selling off or donating items that won’t fit into your new space. Clean out closets, cabinets and the garage, and pack keepsake personal items. This step also prepares for staging and sale. Subtle changes over time are less stressful to an animal than a chaotic week of throwing out and packing. Remain calm and relaxed when making these changes to your pet’s surroundings and provide comfort with extra snuggles, conversation, and soft music.
2. Get Pre-Approved
Prepare for the new home purchase by getting pre-approved. Before approving a mortgage, the lender calculates your debt-to-income ratio. This is determined by adding up your debt and dividing this amount by your expected monthly income. The ratio gives an estimate of the monthly payment you should be able to make. Having pre-approval in your pocket before house hunting is important as it saves you time when you try to buy and keeps you within budget.
3. Prepare House for Sale
As well as finding a new, smaller place, you also likely need to sell your old home. Take time to fix any repairs, and if the flooring is outdated and worn, consider replacing it to get more profit on the sale. Freshen paint and go to a neutral color on the walls. Clean ceiling fans, trim work, windows and screens.
Make sure your curb appeal is up to par. Experts project a 7% increase in value when lawn and landscaping are well-kept. This means power washing the home, walkways and driveway and fixing any broken fencing or chipped paint. Trim overgrown shrubbery hiding the front of the house, freshen mulch and keep the lawn mowed and trimmed. You want buyers to come inside, so stage your front porch to make it welcoming. Paint your front door, update the welcome mat and add potted flowers.
4. Find a New Place
With your budget set, create a list of needs for you and your furry friend to begin your search. If you are downsizing to a condo or townhome, make sure the community allows pets of your animal’s size and type. If you are going to buy a smaller house, is a fenced-in yard a requirement for your pup? When you walk through potential homes, keep in mind the space needs of your pets as well and any potential safety hazards.
5. Plan Moving Day
If you do not have a pet sitter to help on moving day, provide a safe, comfortable room for your animals to stay during the loading and unloading process. The bathroom is a good place to hang out with food and water bowls, personal bedding, toys and the litter box. For dogs – big dogs in particular – you might want to check out larger crates to keep them comfortable.
Hiring movers can also make this day less stressful, so you can focus more on keeping your pet happy and safe. Simply search online and look over the reviews. You may even find comments about how the company handled pets during the move, which is a win!
Once the unloading is finished, give your dog or cat freedom to explore and give extra cuddles and comfort. Allow time to adjust and take breaks from unpacking and decorating to give your pet special attention. Last but not least, remember to safeguard your children and pets by inspecting your new home for safety concerns, from the outlets to sharp corners.
Staying organized creates calm and easy transitioning for you and your animal. Start cleaning Prepare your home for sale, plan your move, and hire a realtor, a home stager, and movers. After a successful downsize and move, enjoy your new surroundings and relax in your own space with your beloved pet.
For nearly 20 years, Alfriend Group has worked with real estate investments in Central Ohio, and have the knowledge and expertise to help you formulate an investment plan that’s right for you. Call 614-395-1776.