Once thought of as a luxury, move managers are now considered critical for many reasons.
While move managers have been helping people transition into a new chapter in their lives for decades, today’s move managers are called upon to assist realtors, estate and financial planners, communal living communities, and individuals during every aspect of their or their client(s)’ moves.
There are many reasons why.
People are busier than ever today, and they don’t have the time needed to tend to the myriad of details involved in a move. The lingering effects of the global pandemic have resulted in lasting changes in the service and supply chain. In addition, the housing market is more volatile than in past years with inventory low and pricing high.
People move for a variety of reasons.
What used to be thought of as a service for seniors who are transitioning is more often considered as a necessity for anyone who is moving into a new phase in life.
Individuals who are moving for a new job or promotion often are traveling distances and find they have too much to do to undertake it alone. There is a need to de-clutter closets; donate, sell, or dispose of no longer needed items and move managers have the resources to accomplish all this efficiently.
Those working a full-time job with added family responsibilities turn to a move manager as a key part of a successful move. Those who are selling their home often need to significantly de-clutter and a move manager can kick-start the process or take the entire task and run with it to completion. Getting organized is the first step, but often the hardest. De-cluttering can involve clothing, furniture and household goods and the essential task of staging the home for sale.
Move managers are often called upon to work under the direction of a professional home stager or realtor to increase the likelihood of a quick sale at an optimal price. Realtors appreciate the help of move managers who know how to expedite the move-out process. They clean out the home quickly so it is ready to stage and list on the market as fast as possible, as sale funds may be required to close on the next residence or to pay the fees in the new community.
Divorce situations require special sensitivity as it will be necessary to remove one or both spouse’s belongings and split joint property. Making and executing these decisions during an already stressful time can be completely overwhelming. The timing is rarely optimal so things must be done on a set schedule. Couples who are divorcing call upon a move manager to assist in making this a less stressful transition for all concerned.
A wide range of services
Move managers provide a vast array of services that, together, create a centralized moving process. They can handle every aspect of the move and eliminate the need to hire several companies for necessary services. They create a plan of action that includes a realistic timeline, a to-do checklist, a floor plan to-scale, coordination with a trusted mover, and communication with the new community. They can also provide coordination and a seamless hand-off to colleagues in other parts of the country for interstate moves.
Organize, sort, and pack belongings
Move managers help their clients make decisions on what to keep and what to leave. They assist with and oversee the packing and meticulously labeling of the boxes so everything arrives safely at the new destination and can be delivered into the new home very efficiently.
Coordinate removal of unwanted items
Move managers arrange for the removal of unwanted items by donation or disposal. If some items are to be sold or stored, move managers have the resources and contacts to recommend and engage solid options.
Arrange shipments.
Move managers help with the logistics of what items are to be shipped to family members and partner with a mover or shipper to deliver everything to the new location in a timely and safe manner.
Unpacking and setting up.
Move managers unpack all clothing, furnishings, and décor and set it up to mimic the previous residence as closely as possible. This ensures familiarity when the resident arrives and makes settling in easier. This is especially important for individuals with dementia. Move managers also arrange for internet, phone, TV, and computer set-up.
Senior Move Managers
Move managers with expertise in assisting older adults to relocate are referred to as senior move managers. Their expertise includes extensive knowledge of senior moves involving downsizing and the resources available for donating, selling, and/or disposing of household items not needed at the new home. They are skilled in relating to seniors in a sensitive and compassionate way, while maintaining a schedule for the move that meets new occupancy and home closing deadlines.
Some special knowledge from experience.
Senior move managers can arrange for a quick move-in if a senior is discharged from a hospital and is unable to return home to live. This requires an ongoing relationship with senior community move-in coordinators and movers to successfully complete a fast move-in.
Seniors who are transitioning have special needs.
Seniors who are moving to a senior living community may prefer to rely on family members for assistance. However, often family members live a distance away and have their own family responsibilities making it difficult to provide the needed help on a tight timeline without engaging professional help.
Special considerations for seniors with memory impairment. Senior move managers have learned that it is best to move the belongings of a person with dementia in the morning so that the room in the memory care unit is set up completely by the afternoon and everything is ready for the individual with all their belongings in place.
Move managers have a deep understanding of the emotional and physical influences that are unique to a move. It is clear they put a lot of heart into what they do. They are not simply logistic directors. They are creative in problem solving to make a difficult transition as smooth and stress-free as possible.
If you are considering a move or have a senior loved one who is
transitioning to community living … or if you have a question about how a move manager can help, call Marie LeBlanc at 617-513-0433 or email her at marie@transitionsliquidation.com.