Selling your home is emotional. Moving out of it? That’s next level. 

As much as we love the idea of fresh starts and new spaces, the reality is that moving can feel overwhelming, exhausting, and strangely sentimental all at once.

I guide my clients through buying and selling every day, and I’ll tell you this: the smoothest moves aren’t the ones without stress - they’re the ones with a plan.

Let’s talk about what actually matters.

1. Start Packing Earlier Than You Think You Need To

 I know. You look around and think, “We don’t have that much stuff.”

You have more than you realize you do.

 Start with:

    •    Seasonal items

    •    Decor

    •    Storage rooms

    •    Closets (yes… even that one)

Packing early does two powerful things:

    1.    It makes your home show better.

    2.    It gives you breathing room.

When your home is on the market, we want it feeling spacious, clean, and neutral - not like you’re mid-transition. A little pre-packing doubles as staging. 

2. Understand Your Possession Day Timeline

Here’s something many sellers don’t realize:

On possession day, you do not receive keys to your new home at midnight. Funds have to be transferred from the buyer’s lawyer to your lawyer before possession is officially completed.

If there’s a delay (it happens occasionally), keys can be released later in the day.

That’s why I always recommend:

    •    Book movers for the next day.

    •    Have a backup plan for pets and kids.

    •    Keep essentials accessible (coffee maker included - trust me).

Moving day is smoother when expectations are realistic.

3. Declutter Before You Pack 

If you haven’t used it in 5 years, you probably don’t need to move it.

Moving is expensive. Time is valuable. Energy is limited. 

Use this as your reset:

    •    Donate

    •    Toss

    •    Sell

    •    Simplify 

Your next home deserves a fresh start - not boxes of “maybe someday.” 

4. Label Like a Professional

Future you will thank present you.

Label:

    •    The room

    •    A quick summary of contents

    •    “Open First” boxes

I always suggest one clearly marked “First Night” bin with:

    •    Bedding

    •    Toiletries

    •    Phone chargers

    •    Paper towel

    •    Garbage bags

    •    Snacks

There is nothing glamorous about digging through 27 boxes at 9pm looking for toothpaste.

 5. Emotion Is Normal

 You may feel:

    •    Excited

    •    Relieved

    •    Sad

    •    Nervous

    •    All of it in one hour

 That’s normal.

Homes hold memories. Kids grow up in them. Holidays happen in them. Big life conversations unfold in them.

 Moving doesn’t erase that. It just makes space for what’s next.

 6. Trust the Process (And Your Team)

 My role isn’t just negotiating your sale price.

 It’s:

    •    Managing timelines

    •    Communicating with lawyers

    •    Tracking conditions

    •    Protecting your interests

    •    Preparing you for what’s ahead

You don’t have to carry all of it alone. 

When you work with me, you’re not just getting someone to list your home. You’re getting guidance from the first showing to the final signature - and yes, even the “where did I pack the scissors?” text.

Final Thoughts

Moving is work. Real work.

But it’s also a milestone.

And when done right - with preparation, clarity, and the right support - it becomes less chaotic and more intentional.

If you’re thinking about selling and wondering what the moving process really looks like behind the scenes, let’s chat. I’ll give you the honest version.

Coffee optional. Strategy included.

Buying your first home is exciting… and also a little overwhelming. There’s a lot of noise out there - hot takes, timelines, pressure to “act fast” - and for first-time buyers in Saskatchewan, it can feel hard to know what actually matters.

My approach is simple: educate first, move at your pace, and make decisions that align with your life (not anyone else’s expectations). Here are a few key things I want every first-time buyer to understand before jumping in - plus a couple of unpopular opinions I think more people need to hear.

1. You Don’t Need to Have Everything Figured Out to Start

You don’t need a perfect five-year plan, a dream Pinterest board, or a crystal-clear idea of your forever home to begin the process.

What you do need is a general sense of:

    •    Your comfort level with monthly payments

    •    Your lifestyle priorities (location, commute, space, flexibility)

    •    What feels exciting vs. stressful

From there, my job is to help you explore options, ask the right questions, and fill in the gaps together - without pressure or urgency.

2. Pre-Approval Is About Clarity, Not Commitment

A mortgage pre-approval isn’t a promise to buy - it’s a tool.

In Saskatchewan, pre-approval helps you:

    •    Understand a realistic price range

    •    Lock in a rate (in many cases)

    •    Avoid falling in love with homes that don’t align financially

Unpopular opinion: just because you’re approved up to a certain amount doesn’t mean you should spend it. The “right” number is the one that lets you sleep at night and still enjoy your life.  And, the most important thing to remember with your mortgage pre-approval is it is calculated off of your gross income – not your net income. Consider what the payment looks like (plus property taxes and utilities) and then see where your comfort falls. Most home buyers after calculating this, adjust their search to a price point that provides them with more flexibility.

3. Your First Home Is a Stepping Stone - and That’s a Good Thing

Your first home doesn’t need to check every box. It’s allowed to be:

    •    A little dated

    •    A little smaller than you imagined

    •    Not your forever home

In fact, many first-time buyers use their first home as a launchpad - building equity, learning what they truly value, and setting themselves up for future options.

Unpopular opinion: waiting for the “perfect” first home often delays progress more than it protects you.

4. Inspections Matter (Even When the House Feels “Fine”)

In Saskatchewan, homes experience everything from extreme cold to shifting soil - so inspections are a big deal.

A good inspection isn’t about scaring you; it’s about:

    •    Understanding what you’re buying

    •    Identifying future maintenance

    •    Making informed, confident decisions

No house is perfect. The goal is knowing what’s reasonable, what’s manageable, and what’s a deal-breaker for you.

5. The Market Isn’t Something to Beat - It’s Something to Navigate

You don’t need to “time the market” perfectly to be a smart buyer. Markets change, interest rates move, and headlines will always have opinions.

What matters more is:

    •    Your financial readiness

    •    Your comfort level

    •    Your long-term goals

My role is to explain what’s happening right now in clear, honest language - so you can decide when (or if) it makes sense for you to move forward.

6. You’re Allowed to Take Your Time

This might be the most important one.

There is no prize for buying the fastest. There is no failure in asking questions, pausing, or deciding to wait. A no-pressure approach means:

    •    You never have to rush a decision

    •    You always understand your options

    •    You feel confident - not talked into - your next step

Whether that next step is viewing homes, getting pre-approved, or simply having a coffee and talking things through.

Final Thoughts

Buying your first home should feel empowering - not stressful. My goal is to guide and educate you so that when you do say yes, it’s because the decision feels aligned, informed, and right for you.

If you’re curious, nervous, excited, or somewhere in between - I’m always happy to have a no-pressure conversation and answer questions. No timelines. No expectations. Just clarity.