Moving can be one of the most stressful experiences in life. There are two different kinds of needs that people have while moving.  Transactional needs, like finding the perfect home, finding a seller who is realistic, negotiating a price, completing paperwork, handling the close, and arranging your move.  There are also emotional needs involved, and this is the cause of most of the stress. Any competent agent can handle the transactional needs, but if the emotional needs are not met, you'll be frustrated and may not act in your own best interests. The ideal realtor is competent with paperwork and numbers and can also guide, direct, and counsel you through the emotions of moving. The following are some ways to overcome some of the stress with moving.

• Know your end point.

Have an ultimate scenario of what you're trying to accomplish. What will things be like when you get into your new home? How will things be better than in your current home? Focus on the new life and write out your thoughts, fill up at least a page about how it feels in the new home.  Having the goal in front of you at all times energizes you to achieve it, regardless of setbacks and frustrations. Emotions will run high and you need an anchor. You must focus on the future goal when anxiety threatens to get the better of you.
 

• Maintain flexibility.

In your monetary calculations, overestimate by a few thousand dollars. In the market, anything can happen between contract acceptance and close. Inspections could reveal areas of concern that the seller is unwilling to fix or the repair costs are higher than the amount limited in the contract. The interest rate could vary, which affects the necessary down payment and closing costs you will need to come up with. Your Realtor will strive to tie up loose ends as quickly as possible, but remember there is no perfect world. Most buyers feel a bit overwhelmed when taking on a new mortgage and the responsibilities of a new home and sometimes buyers get angry when it seems like the cost just keeps going up.  Frustrations mount when reality does not match initial expectations.  So if you anticipate this happening in advance, frustration should be minimal. Hopefully, it should go better than you expected.
 

• Have faith in the process.

There's just so much to do, it's easy to become overwhelmed. You wonder if it will ever work out. You think you're taking a big chance, but the truth is you're giving yourself a big chance.  Even though you can't see every step of the way, as you move towards your goals, the way opens up. Your Realtor knows that you haven't moved in a long time and it's a major change in your life. But your Realtor has been there many times before, and will be looking out for you. Trust that your Realtor knows the way to get you there.
 

• Stay informed.

One thing you'll probably feel during this transition time is being out of control. It feels like everyone else has taken over your life. The seller, your lender, the appraiser, the inspectors, they all have the power to say yes or no to your moving plans. Your Realtor will do their best to let you know ahead of time what your expenses will be, and what the unknowns are. He/she should help tie down the loose ends as soon as possible and help educate you on the "behind the scenes" issues so you never feel out of control.
 

• Know your options.

When things don't go as smoothly as you had hoped, don't let emotions take over. Always ask yourself "What are my options? "because there are always options. All cases are unique, but when setbacks occur asking yourself this question helps to defuse the situation and restore clearheaded thinking.
 

• Seek entertainment.

When there's nothing you can do about a situation, take your mind off of it altogether. Maybe you expected loan approval on Tuesday, but now it won't come until Friday. You hate being in limbo and feeling powerless. So do something else entirely, maybe something where you aren't powerless. Take a hike, play tennis, get out of town for the day. Whatever diversion works best for you, now would be a good time to engage in it. Forget the situation and refuse to listen to those irritating thoughts when they come into your head. Think about something else instead and just take it a day at a time.

Prepared by:  Re/Max Home & Ranch - 303-646-9000