Dear David: We’re planning to move closer to our son and three-year-old granddaughter at the end of this year. When our granddaughter was born, we planted a tree in our backyard to celebrate her arrival. We would like to take the tree with us to our next home, but know we can’t move it in the middle of winter. When we sell this house, can we ask the buyers if we can come back in the spring to transplant the tree? – GROWING ON ME
DEAR GROWING: What an exciting thing to be moving close to your cherished grandchild. There are an overwhelming number of things to consider when planning a move, so I applaud you for thinking ahead about how you’ll manage the tree.
As you suggest, you could make it part of the agreement that you’ll return to the property at a designated time to dig up the tree and take it to your new location. Of course, this may present some logistical challenges: when exactly will you come back for the tree? What if the weather doesn’t co-operate? How are you going to deal with the hole in the lawn after you remove the tree, and what if the tree is damaged or unwell when you return?
Because this tree is so meaningful, I suggest a different approach. Start by consulting a professional arborist about the best time to do a transplant. Ask if there are steps you can take in advance (ie. fertilizing) to ensure the tree remains strong and healthy. If you can, make plans to move the tree to a relative’s home or your son’s house as soon as possible. Trees can often be transplanted several times if done properly, so you should be able to take your memories with you.
Moving the tree early will also leave you enough time to fix the hole in the lawn before putting your house up for sale.
When I’m selling a property, clients often ask me to exclude certain fixtures, like a special mirror that’s screwed to the wall, a gas stove, or an antique telephone. My recommendation is always the same: try your best to remove these things from the house before you go to market. Fixtures tend to be sold with the home unless they are specifically excluded, and buyers will not miss something they’ve never laid eyes on.
When a buyer is negotiating a purchase, they can sometimes be thrown by minor details. I’ve seen buyers and sellers at odds over who gets to keep a coat hook or a 10-year-old lawn mower. If there’s something on your property that you can’t bear to part with, do your best to remove it ahead of time. If a buyer falls in love with it, you can’t make them unsee it.
PRO TIP:
When you’re getting ready to sell, it’s extremely helpful to try and look into the future. It’s always easier to get ahead of a problem than deal with it after the fact. #Advice #AskDavid #TheNegotiator
David is a top-selling Broker in Kitchener-Waterloo Region. He works personally with you when selling or buying your home. Call or text today for your free home evaluation! 519-577-1212.
