Review
"Caroline combines the best of what an experienced professional and thoughtful action-oriented therapist would do. She has taken the guesswork out of home transition and has created a practical, no-nonsense, how-to plan that every person who decides to move, sell, downsize, upsize or who is relocating for a remodel needs to understand before they start the process. Her advice will not only save you countless headaches but will save you money and more importantly time." Laura Cox Kaplan is the creator and host of She Said/She/Said podcast and an adjunct professor at American University in Washington D.C.
"Caroline Carter is greater Washington's house whisperer." Soe Han Tha, staff reporter, The Washington Business Journal
"Armed with the experience of helping over 2,000 families navigate the complicated and expensive process of moving, Carter shares her strategies for avoiding pitfalls and maximizing profit." Judith Beermann, Publisher & Editor in Chief, The Georgetown Dish
"Smart Moves" shares a lot of Caroline's hard-earned wisdom about transitioning from one house to another. Reading the book won't do the packing or donating for you, or apply the fresh coat of paint, but it sure spells out the steps that even the smallest move requires. The book lays out what each part of the house should look and feel like to prospective buyers. Along the way, Caroline acknowledges the emotional toll such a move takes on the whole family. Her advice: Think of selling your old house, buying a new one, moving and settling in as one long process, not separate events. And even then it can take you a year in your new house to feel settled. Breathe. I'm now coming to the moving stage, and Caroline's rundown of what you need to know about movers is more detailed than I've seen elsewhere. Every guide tells you about interstate regulations, and about insured and bonded movers, but Caroline goes into the nitty-gritty of what you want, and don't want, in your contract with the mover." Nancy McKeon, Managing Editor, Author at My Little Bird
"Smart Moves: How to Save Time and Money While Transitioning Your Home and Life by Caroline Carter is an engaging and informative book that will guide readers, especially those who are moving, on home transition. She has created a practical, no-nonsense re-locating plan which will save readers countless headaches and will help to save time and money. Moving is always stressful and expensive, and this book will help ease the emotional, financial, and physical toll. Home transition is the same for everyone though the journey may be different. The decision to move is a life changer and it can be a roller coaster ride. The detailed advice is helpful when it comes to meeting the inevitable challenges head-on.
What makes Smart Moves so good is that the information given is accurate and will help prepare readers to make the transition with confidence. Smart Moves is about having a successful strategy and the author's personal experiences will help readers connect with her words. The tips will make the process of moving organized and stress-free. Caroline Carter deals with the topic in detail, methodically, and extensively, making it easy for those who are in the process of moving or going to move or who want to buy or sell a property. The resource list at the end of the book will come in handy and though change is hard, this book is a lifesaver and will definitely help in getting one's physical, financial, and emotional world back in balance." Mamta Madhavan, Readers' Favorite Book Review - 5 stars
From the Author
Why Caroline Carter Wrote Smart MovesHomeowners need an experienced partner. After helping over 2,000 families transition homes, Caroline developed the Total Home Transition ℠ process and believes that what homeowners don't know about transitioning homes will cost them both time and money. She is passionate to point out landmines and to share her unique approach when assessing and staging a house to sell quickly at top dollar and when navigating the marathon of moving.Caroline's PhilosophyThere is no need to suffer through a home transition. Regardless of selling price point, the home transition process is the same for everyone, and it is an emotional, financial and physical roller coaster. Despite the chaos, Caroline believes it is a process that should be anchored in hope, humor, and humility. The right mindset, accurate information, and a strategic plan will ease any homeowner's transition journey.Who Smart Moves Will HelpSmart Moves will produce smarter homeowners. Whether you are a baby boomer downsizing or a millennial buying your first home, and whether it's a joyous life event or result of life's rough spots - financial upheaval, divorce, illness or death - following Caroline's Total Home Transition ℠ process when planning your home transition will ease your anxiety, and save you time and money.Key Elements of Smart MovesFinally, with Smart Moves , homeowners get a comprehensive rundown of the emotional, financial and physical challenges and opportunities involved in a home transition and learnwhere to take charge. Preparing and staging a house to sell doesn't have to break the bank. Empty, evaluate, execute is Caroline Carter's decluttering method when preparing a house to sell, and it's aimed at bringing in top dollar. Cleaning out is not only about joy with Caroline, but it's also about money. Smart Moves is filled with captivating personal anecdotes, expert advice and time and money-saving tips. Homeowners will be empowered to make smart financial decisions both when preparing their house to sell and orchestrating their move. Why leave money on the table?
From the Back Cover
Want to take the mystery out of selling your home and moving while saving both time and money? Caroline Carter, home transition expert and founder of the prestigious home transition company Done In a Day, guides readers through every step of this stressful, life-changing event. What should you do from the moment you decide to move? Buckle up! Carter is your personal transition coach on these pages sharing her best Smart Moves. Prepare yourself for the three critical dimensions- emotional, financial, and physical -- of a house sale and a move while learning how to strategically design your house to sell to achieve maximum market advantage without breaking the bank. Carter takes readers from the early chaos of disassembling their lives to that first sip of coffee in their unpacked, beautiful new home.
About the Author
CAROLINE CARTER is the founder and CEO of Done In a Day, a Washington D.C. based home transition company that has moved everyone from the Who's Who in politics, business, and media to anxious families making a major life change. A mother of three, she built her business from scratch into a word-of-mouth phenomenon. She is a frequent guest on TV shows and on radio where she discusses how to take the pain out of moving and avoid leaving money on the table when selling your home. This is her first book.
