Over-crowding our highest points of contact

If your city is like mine, the main entrances to big box stores run right in front of the main entrance of the store. Vehicles are trying to find parking spots. Customers are trying to get their shopping carts and enter/exit the store. Five vehicles are blocking traffic in the fire lane waiting to pick someone up.

Our schools are located on main roads as well. Buses, parents, kids crossing the street. All along a main traffic artery which is reduced to 30km/hr seven days a week.

Both of these examples increase frustration, reduce flow and cause unnecessary danger.

If we move these main entrances away from heavy traffic areas, we have more opportunity for single activities to occur in designated areas. Big box stores can give more space and time to welcome customers. Customers can load their purchases and drop off loved ones without the panic and danger of blocking traffic.

Moving schools away from main streets allows those heavy traffic roads to maintain a more efficient flow. It gives buses and parents more space to drop off and pick up their children. It allows for few and safer, more controlled street crossing areas.

The same goes for real estate. We like to over-crowd our key activities.

It’s finally possession date of your new home. The lawyers are late releasing keys. The movers are waiting on the driveway. The house isn’t as clean as it should be. Mom and Dad are there to see the house for the first time. Your internet provider just showed up to hook up the wifi. It’s too much at once. It’s not the fairytale possession you pictured.

Work with your REALTOR® to plan out your possession day. Space things out to allow for focus on each activity.

I recommend Thursday noon possessions with a Thursday evening walk through.

There’s a misunderstanding that you have to be at your home at the moment it legally becomes yours. Allow for a buffer. This allows time for the lawyers to work out any wrinkles and for us to check on the home to make sure it’s ready. After work, let’s meet to celebrate your new home. Friday, if you have the day off, take the day to get your bearings, move your things and get settled. Hopefully Mom and Dad bring pizza sometime over the weekend.

You’ll be in your new home for a long time. Why cram it all into one moment. Take it one step at a time.