Prepare for TRAUMA When You Sell Your Home in 2024

[@KatiSpaniak]

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[@didomilan1725]

I sat on my porch and cried when we left out our first house. We had outgrown it, but it will always be “my” house

[@KatiSpaniak]

Sometimes moving is not wanted but needed. Still doesn't make it easy. Thanks for sharing!

[@dianadonahue9354]

I have moved 16 times. Back and forth across the world twice. There are places that I was very attached to but all of these moves were for financial well being, so I was kind of clinical about it. As I got older I figured out that being attached to “stuff” isnt really what its about. I found that art, lamps and some soft decor kept me feeling like every place feels familiar . You can even shed that as you go but it helps to take it from the last place into the new place. It kind of makes you feel at home. One simple thing is a signature candle scent. When my mom died, my cousin got up and said Aunt Bevs house always smelled like Christmas. This kind of thing somehow makes you feel grounded.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thanks for sharing those tips, Love them!

[@adriaba790]

Same here,moved 14 times,4 times to another continent...I feel my home is where I have my family,my books and some good art pieces that I've had with me all my life...

[@marie-louisewcislo6519]

Best piece of advice on moving day : don’t bother wearing mascara! I cried buckets each and every time I left homes I had sold - so much, I had to pull off the road for a few minutes until I could see well enough to safely drive. Just meant I loved the life I had in each home.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Yes, I can relate, very emotional but in a good way too!

[@bettysmith4527]

I thought I was ready to go back to a condo, and it was brand new, but after I looked at this condo with all its nice new walls etc I got home and as soon as I came home and saw my beautiful SFH I BALLED my eyes out and realized that it wasn't the right thing to do at this time, I had also read the condo documents that day and I think it brought back all the downsides of condo living that caused me to sell the condo I lived in before the house. I don't care anymore, I would rather spend hours cleaning up my yard (or driveway in winter) than live in a condo with shared walls and a HOA ever again!! It made me more grateful for my house! I would say listen to your gut and don't sell if your emotions are telling you not to, unless you really have to. I never shed a tear when I sold my condo, I couldn't wait to get the heck out!

[@KatiSpaniak]

Finding out what you truly want is a great thing.

[@blujeans9462]

I knew my recent move was going to be really tough. I had planned on selling my home of 36 years, with all its holiday memories, when I retired - but that was 6 years ago. I just couldn't do it. My heart would just break at the thought and I'd say: maybe another time. Finally, I entertained the thought once again and it actually went great... without any emotions getting in the way. One thing that I did do that most realtors recommend against - but it was a game changer for me, with this beloved house. I totally moved everything out about a month before I was ready to list. I had only a bed (not even mine, but the guest bed) and a folding table and chair left. This not only allowed the house to be ready for inspections, final repairs, and nook and cranny cleaning - it also allowed the buyer to see it as it really was, which they appreciated. With no personal things to tug at my heart strings on the last days, instead I was just so ready to leave these empty walls - with no regrets.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Nothing is better than knowing it's time to move on.

[@timward3116]

One of the things that hit me the hardest when moving to a different city was that "home" is more than just a house that you're leaving after many years. It's the neighborhood, the street, the grocery store, the radio and TV stations... and perhaps especially friends. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs. Just before my senior year in high school, we moved to Phoenix - a TOTALLY unfamiliar environment. Three decades later, I moved back to Chicagoland. Not only had Chicagoland ceased being "home," but I had been unaware of how much Phoenix HAD become "home" over three decades. I never liked Phoenix as a city, but - like it or not - it had become home, the place of all of my adult memories, the place of almost all of my personal history, the place of all of my adult friends. It is hard enough moving from a building where you've lived for many years, but at least you can keep some of your furniture and recreate a familiar environment. But when you move to an entirely different city, you just want to run back home. Although I actually liked Chicagoland MUCH more than I like Phoenix, the work situation up there didn't work out well for me and I ended up returning to Phoenix and realized that I was coming home.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Yes! Completely agree. I lived in the same town for 50+ years. Just moved away, I so miss it, but I have found my new place.

[@timward3116]

@@KatiSpaniak Kati, my mother had lived in the Chicago area until she was 46, when she moved to Phoenix. For reasons unknown to me (LOL), she loved Phoenix and never looked back. I hope that you enjoy your new place and that it becomes "home" for you!

[@KatiSpaniak]

@@timward3116 Thank you!

[@lynnvarner5383]

When we told out two adult daughters "well, Dad and I are gonna sell the house" THEY cried. They don't even live here anymore, yet they have so many great memories as we built this house ourselves and they "helped" as kids. Seeing THEM cry is probably the hardest thing for me.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Totally! Thank you for sharing!

[@heatherrj9980]

One thing that is helping me emotionally as we pack up our home of 40 years is knowing our buyers are a lovely young couple who love the house (private sale so we've gotten to know them). I'm leaving notes for them to find as they move in.

[@KatiSpaniak]

That’s really nice of you! 💕

[@sempervigilans1]

Thank you once again for sharing from your heart, your expertise, and your personal experiences~

[@KatiSpaniak]

You are very welcome. Thanks for being a great supporter!

[@Toni_Snark]

After I moved several times in as many years, it wasn't emotional anymore. Just a big pain in the butt. I sold and bought 3 houses since 2018. Attached to none of them, but I did replace my favorite light fixtures so I could keep them for the next place. 😁

[@KatiSpaniak]

So nice to have those little things to take to the next house!

[@allalala9916]

I moved countries when I was 12, 27 and 30, and lived in three states, lived in 14 houses, had four babies and each in a different house and now pregnant with the fifth also in a different house. A have a few sentimental items- my children's going home outfits, photos, journals, wedding gown and shoes, kids pictures they drew but other than that I am not attached to anything.

[@KatiSpaniak]

All that moving does have some benefits. Thanks for sharing

[@carmadariacompaniona4181]

I was so happy to leave my house, a place where my ex-husband abused me. The issue that came up though was finding a realtor that he would accept. My ex refused all the very experienced realtors that I had suggested, saying they were old farts. Well, I found a realtor in my own search for a house, who was on top of her game realty-wise, but also young and beautiful and wore short skirts. I told her about my dilemma in trying to sell my house, and asked if she would meet with my ex-husband and I and .... treat me like I was invisible. Well, she did this. She sat on the sofa by my ex and talked only to him, totally ignoring my questions etc. He was willing to sign the contract on the spot and later was ecstatic by her treatment of me, rubbing it in. The house sold within a couple days due to the realtor's expertise.

[@KatiSpaniak]

I love this story!!!

[@SBTiki]

Good job! LOL he had no idea he picked your agent!!

[@lindawilson4625]

LOL! Your hidden "mark" you left on the house reminded me that contruction guys hide their mark in the walls all the time :-) Best piece of advice I was given-Once you decide to sell your home it becomes a house. You are selling a house. It makes the rest of the processes so much easier.

[@KatiSpaniak]

That’s the truth!!

[@corashell7116]

Selling your parents house after they die is emotional. Especially if you grew up there. It hit me like a brick wall even though I haven’t lived there for decades. It was a security for me just knowing I could always go there. Saying goodbye was so painful. There needs to be more information for people to help them through this process. It caught me totally off guard.

[@KatiSpaniak]

I know. I see it all of the time. Thank you for sharing

[@cherylanon5791]

I actually would love to leave this big house behind, I don't really like anything about it, I have tolerated it for too long! But...the wonderful soil in my gardens, oh my, now THAT's gonna make me cry, it took me 20+ years to get it to be how awesome it is! So, I have to get some 55 gal tubs and bring some of that dirt with me to next home, also many perennials which I grew from seeds, and all the berry bushes--I will have to bring cuttings from all of them.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Make sure you do this before you list your home OR make sure its in the paperwork that you are going to take some plants etc.

[@JillofAllTrades2]

You're preaching to the choir here, I believe you!

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thank you for your support! It means a lot to know that my message resonates with you!

[@heatherl4739]

We haven't moved yet but are considering it currently. We've been in our house since we got married (21 years ago) I literally gave birth to all 3 of my kids in this house. Just thinking about moving makes me very emotional.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Yes totally, a piece of my heart will always be with my homes I've sold.

[@kbaz6658]

Moving is easier if you are moving to a home with better, newer, bigger features. Leaving neighbors you like is hard, as well as feral cats you may be feeding in your yard. 😻 Downsizing to a lesser house would be hard if you have done work that isn't easily found in a new house. There will have to be a very good reason to leave the house we live in now.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Very true!

[@cathyrackowski2824]

“I’m not crying you’re crying” it’s been a long road to get to this point, 7 years. We’ve lived in this house for 42 years and yes this is brutal. I’ve written before how our adult daughter died in this house 8 years ago our wonderful son is still with us. Our son was living in the house while we are living in Florida, he’s bought his own house and this is it, I’ve got to let this place go. I’ve made myself sick over this! The realtor thinks this fall will be a good time to list it…I’m overwhelmed just writing that. We live in a hot market place a suburb of Boston so know I should put the work in hiring people to spruce this place up we can use the money for a place in Florida. I’ll have to get some moving boxes and Kleenex and just do it, work with my husband and sell this place. That’s my brain talking but my hearts in pieces, wow “what a long strange ride this’s been”.

[@KatiSpaniak]

I’m so sorry. I know it’s so hard.

[@SBTiki]

You can do it. Remember change is good sometimes. Can also be exciting.

[@patriciamorgan2278]

I thought I would have breakdown

[@KatiSpaniak]

Yes, very stressful!

[@Annap137]

I think the only reason I didn’t cry is because we are a military family and had moved away and back twice. I also then moved 3000 miles away.

[@KatiSpaniak]

I can see that.

[@patriciamorgan2278]

I lost most of my treasures

[@KatiSpaniak]

This makes me sad for you.

[@eyedrz]

I love your channel so much that I paid to subscribe to your guide. But now seeing a 2 minute commercial is really disappointing. Actually annoying. Especially since I get a commercial before I even see your video. 😢

[@KatiSpaniak]

I don’t charge for my sellers playbook. And you can just fast forward the video.

[@KatiSpaniak]

And I promise I’ll make it up to you with the other content coming up. Appreciate your support

[@petedrake9396]

Please do not become a typical shill channel. You have such great content otherwise. Way too much selling in this video.

[@staceyedukes]

BetterHelp is awesome. And my son loves it!

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thanks for sharing! Glad it is working out for him!