Jordan Speisman | Gainesville Movers and Moving Companies in Gainesville

4 Things To Fix Before Moving Out

Not only is leaving your house or apartment in good condition after you move the right thing to do, but it can also help you reclaim a security deposit. But, finding the time and energy to fix and clean everything just isn’t reasonable. To help you prioritize what’s most important to address, UF Mover Guys has compiled this list of four things you should repair before moving out.

When it’s time to actually hit the road, depend on professional movers that will treat your possessions with the utmost care. Contact our Gainesville moving company to request a free quote!

Little Things

Before the first box is even packed, you should start considering all of the little repairs that you’ve left untended. A few months before moving can be a great time to start wrapping up little projects. It may be something that you feel comfortable fixing on your own, such as a leaky faucet, or it may be something that you’d rather put a work order in for. Since you’re still a tenant, the landlord should fix most problems without any issue. They might even appreciate your forward planning for preparing the unit for the next tenant.

Drywall

Whether from hanging art, family photos, or seasonal decorations, your wall has likely incurred some damage throughout the years. While a hole here and there may not seem like much to you, these little damages add up because they all must be spackled before a fresh coat of paint can be applied. It’s easy to repair these little holes yourself and can help you recover your security deposit when completed alongside the other items on this list. You can pick up spackling tools online or at a local tool store. Be sure to read the directions and try to cover holes as you remove items so that you don’t end up missing any.

Carpet

Just as with the walls, the carpets throughout your home have probably seen a lot of action over time. While it can be difficult to fully clean your carpet when furniture is still unpacked, you can do a thorough examination of the carpet and try to spot treat the worst areas. Once the moving truck is packed, a quick once over with a vacuum and carpet cleaner can make the unit look brand new. Most grocery stores provide carpet cleaner rentals, but if that’s out of the question, don’t skip on vacuuming and spot treatment. Even if you’re unable to get up every little stain, the effort of making the whole carpet look better will pay off.

Deep Clean

Obviously, you want to leave your apartment as clean as when you moved in, but it’s easy to miss spots unless you do a deep clean. If you’re short on time, hiring a professional cleaning service can be helpful, but otherwise, deep cleaning doesn’t have to be an overwhelming chore. Be sure to dust and clean blinds and window ledges, baseboards, appliances, and general plumbing fixtures. To help get you started before the first box is packed, consider purging some possessions that you no longer need. A junk removal service can help make getting rid of things a breeze.

Moving In The Spring? Read This First!

Spring is the season of rebirth and renewal, so what better time is there to move into a new house? Due to the temperate weather and competitive rates among moving companies, many consider spring to be one of the best times of year to move. However, no season is without its fair share of moving challenges. Unpredictable afternoon showers and difficulty securing a moving truck are only a couple of the difficulties one may face during the busy spring moving season. Nevertheless, with a bit of preparation and the proper knowledge, any moving challenge can be overcome. Lucky for you, we at UF Mover Guys are all about making big moves as easy and convenient as possible. Check out our tips for moving in the spring below!

Contact our moving company today to request a free quote on our moving services!

Reserve Moving Equipment Well In Advance

Spring is one of the busiest seasons for the real estate industry, meaning droves of people will \ reserve moving trucks for their own moves around that time. That’s why, if you’re hoping to move in the spring, then it’s best to book your truck and equipment well in advance of your move-out date. Plus, booking moving services in late fall could end up saving you money, as rates among moving companies tend to be lower around that time than they are in spring.

Keep An Eye On The Weather

After the chilly winter months, the sunny warmth of springtime is a welcome change. However, spring’s weather is also infamous for unpredictability. There could be bright blue skies one minute, then rainclouds the next, and that’s not necessarily ideal for moving. Dealing with erratic weather is equal parts vigilance and luck, which is why it’s always good to have a backup plan in case the weather suddenly turns on you. Also, be sure to have furniture covers handy and try to park your truck under cover if possible.

Handle Your Utilities Early

Heat, electrical, water, internet, and cable are all utilities you’ll probably want to have at your next place, and the sooner you get them set up, the better. Go ahead and have your utility company transfer service to your new address so that you don’t have to deal with the hectic days leading up to the big move. A little bit of proactivity can go a long way during a move, and transferring your utilities early on is a perfect start.

Remember To Take Breaks

Moving is a tiresome ordeal that demands much of your physical and mental (and sometimes emotional) strength. Unfortunately, all the hustle and bustle of moving day can make it easy to forget about basic self-care, such as eating and staying hydrated. Put simply, don’t forget to take breaks. Without stopping for a breather every once in a while, you’ll only make the move harder than it needs to be and yourself more miserable. Whether it’s chilly or warm outside, set some time aside during moving day to sit down somewhere with AC and enjoy a nutritious meal.

4 Neighborhood Red Flags To Watch Out For During A Move

Scoring the perfect house should be at the top of your list when moving, but don’t forget about the importance of the neighborhood it’s located in. After all, you could be living there a long time and will want to feel safe and happy among your neighbors. Also, if the neighborhood turns out to be bad, it can be difficult to sell later down the road when you’re ready to move. Doing ample research about the neighborhood is a must, and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for any of these neighborhood red flags.

When you’ve decided on the right place in the right neighborhood, schedule moving services with our professional moving company in Gainesville, FL.

It’s Too Good To Be True

A beautiful house in a seemingly good neighborhood for the ideal price? There may be a reason for your good luck that isn’t obvious on the surface. Check out the neighborhood for more “for sale” signs that aren’t just on the property you’re eyeing. If there’s a lot, it could be an indication that people are trying to leave that neighborhood. And if the home you’re looking at is listed for a price below expectation, it could mean that they’re desperately trying to repopulate. The reason could be anything from underlying economic reasons to local environmental issues that make it difficult to maintain the home, such as flooding. It’s also important to look at surrounding neighborhoods to see if rising crime rates could be causing the exodus.

Poorly Maintained

Beyond just a single house, a neighborhood should be a well-functioning hub of neighbors, roads, sidewalks, and yards. While the occasional crack in the sidewalk or pothole in the road isn’t a sign to run, multiple points of degradation are an indication that public services are lacking. Additionally, look at the state of the neighbors’ homes and yards. Are they well-kept and maintained or are they in a state of disrepair? Crumbling home exteriors and weedy lawns with junk piled high can speak in volumes about the character of both the occupant and the neighborhood. While pristine homes and lawns don’t necessarily mean the best neighborhood, poorly maintained ones can be a reflection of the issues you might face should you become an owner there.

Check Nearby Schools

Even if you don’t have children, the state of schools in the area can be an indicator of the quality of the neighborhood that you’re considering. Do some research on the population of the school and its overall rating. This can give you insight into whether the local population is aging or if parents are potentially opting for private or homeschooling because of the quality of the public schools. While an aging population isn’t necessarily bad, it could point to decreased economic security in the area. Also, if you do have children, that means that your child will have fewer people around their age.

No One’s Around

Not seeing people on the sidewalks or in their yards isn’t necessarily a red flag. After all, there could be inclement weather the day you visit or they’re opting to relax in the more spacious backyard. However, not seeing children playing outside or even neighbors doing lawn work could point to concerns for safety. Even in areas that seem nice, growing worries about crime could be keeping your neighbors inside. Of course, you should always check crime statistics for any area you’re considering moving to. You should also check out local news to see if the area around your neighborhood is becoming a hotspot for crime.

Tips For Moving In The Rain

Relocating can be a stressful process. Add a projected forecast of stormy weather to the mix, and your move might seem like an impossible feat. Fortunately, our movers in Gainesville with UF Mover Guys have some clever tips to help make your move a breeze, whether rain or shine. To avoid scrambling at the last minute, consider the following to ensure your belongings stay safe even during a sudden burst of precipitation.

Need help from an experienced moving company you can trust for your next relocation? Contact us to request a moving quote and learn more about our available moving services.

Prepare Your Home For Rain

Carving out some time in your moving schedule to prepare your new home for the movers to arrive can go a long way. This rings particularly true should unexpected rain occur during your move. A few simple steps can make all the difference between an unorganized, chaotic relocation and one that runs smoothly. We recommend laying down a welcome mat or a cheap rug to ensure movers and residents both have a place to wipe their feet after sloshing around in the rain. Put out some old towels you wouldn’t mind throwing out, just in case the rain is heavy or the moving boxes need to be dried off while unloading the truck. If you have extra moving boxes, lay them out on the floor near the entrance and throughout walkways to create a somewhat anti-slip surface — this is especially important for homes with wood or tile flooring.

Pack Your Belongings Properly

Many people pack up their belongings without considering the effect of heavy rainfall on their items during a move. Moving plans, including packing, should accommodate protective measures to ensure your belongings won’t become damaged should a downpour hit. One common solution is to wrap items without boxes in plastic wrap. Plastic repels water more effectively than cardboard or fabric, making it a must for electronics and other moisture-sensitive items. If they aren’t packed into boxes, items like artwork, furniture, and clothing should all be securely and properly protected with plastic wrap. Experienced movers with UF Mover Guys can help ensure your belongings are protected from the elements with our available full and partial packing services. Contact us today for more information and to schedule moving services.

Don’t Skimp On Rain Gear

Protecting your belongings when moving in the rain is just as important as protecting yourself. Moving in the rain makes everyone involved with the relocation more prone to possible injuries. The best way to prevent any accidents is to minimize risk ahead of time. Be sure to wear non-slip shoes and, to make a move less miserable, be sure to keep some rain essentials, such as rain slickers and boots, umbrellas, baseball caps or hats, and a change of clothes on hand, both for protection against the rain both during and after the moving process. Additionally, you might consider helping rainproof your items for loading and unloading by purchasing a packable canopy and installing it in the space between the front door and moving truck.

Set Up An Assembly Line

Efficiently loading up a moving truck in the rain requires a system. UF Mover Guys offers encompassing moving services that cover all aspects of your relocation, including loading and unloading, but if you plan to load the moving truck on your own, be sure to think ahead of time about how you’ll keep your move as rain-free as possible. We recommend designating 1-2 people to stay with the moving truck to load boxes in an organized manner. This is important for moves in any type of weather, but it holds even truer when it’s raining out. In the rain, the fewer people moving from point A to point B the better. In addition to the people stationed at the moving truck, also set up an assembly line for moving boxes from the house to the truck during loading and the truck to the house during unloading. Setting up stations and designating specific tasks will help ensure less water gets in the house and reduces the chance of injuries on slippery surfaces.

A Fresh Start: Why Moving Can Be Great

Most people consider moving to be a stressful experience. Whether it’s moving down the street or across town, compiling lists of moving tips, to-do’s, and guides may mitigate only some of that stress. But there are also many simple ways moving can transform from a stressful experience to a positive one. Before moving day, consider the following tips from Gainesville movers with UF Mover Guys and leverage all the benefits of relocating from one living space to another — including enjoying a fresh start. Should you need a helping hand with more than your mindset, our reliable movers in Gainesville have you covered!

Get Organized

A move is the ideal time for getting organized. Once you box up all of your belongings, you get the chance to start from scratch in your new living space. You have the opportunity to get organized and tailor where you place each item to your liking as you begin to unpack all the boxes. If you’ve always wanted to try a new layout in your living room or bedroom, now is the time! You can mix it up with different colors, layouts and even toss or donate certain items you no longer need or want instead of grouping them in with your other belongings; although this step is preferred while packing up for a move, there is no time like the present!

Create “Me” Space

Moving allows you to set some space aside for yourself. As you unpack boxes in your new home, be sure to create a space that’s specifically for you. This can be a little area you can go to when you have a stressful day or need some alone time. Whether you want to create a meditation corner filled with vibrant indoor plants and calming salt rock lamps or desire a studio space for pursuing art projects, the sky’s the limit! Creating a physical space that you love to spend time in can help ensure you free up some mental space for self-care and enjoy an overall positive post-move trajectory.

Curb Bad Habits

Over the years, we all accumulate a bad habit or two we aren’t proud of. Some of us might avoid cleaning the bathroom often enough, while others may compile stacks of unopened mail near the front door. Whatever it is you want to change, now is the time to do it. Your new home marks the perfect time to start from scratch. If you’ve identified one or more habits you’d like to change, commit to doing things in a different way that helps curb bad habits while likewise introducing positive ones. Make a cleaning schedule to ensure the bathroom and other home areas get the cleaning they need regularly. Install a letter holder near the front door and organize pieces based on priority to avoid accumulating unopened mail.

Experience Life Differently

We all have things we want to do. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of participating in a local community theater, or you’ve wanted to take an art class. Once you’ve unpacked in your new home, go ahead and try something new to experience life differently. This is a chance for you to start something you have always wanted to do, be someone you want to be, and develop skills you never knew you had. What’s more, your new surroundings might inspire novel interests; if you live near lots of trees and nature, you might want to take up gardening, or if your home is close to a running or bike path, you may think about enjoying a regular run or bike ride.

Expand Your Network

You may not have known all the neighbors in your former neighborhood, but moving to a new place affords you the chance to connect with those around you. Once you move, consider putting in some effort into meeting nearby residents. Some neighbors may make the first move by welcoming you to the neighborhood, but there’s nothing wrong with taking the initiative and introducing yourself first. Getting to know your neighbors can also positively affect your feelings of safety in your new living environment. You don’t have to find best friends, but it can be advantageous to have someone looking out for you and your home while you’re away and vice versa.

How Kids Can Help During A Move

The process of moving from one house to another is a significant undertaking. This rings especially true for parents planning to move. Between managing schedules for work and school and planning and executing a move, all the responsibilities of daily life and the impending relocation fall on the hands of parents. However, one way to help streamline the moving process is to make your kids a part of the moving process. Providing kids with moving responsibilities — that accommodate their respective skill sets — not only keeps them entertained and busy, but it can also help comfort them in the face of this significant life change. If you’re a parent planning a move, consider these four tips from movers in Gainesville with UF Mover Guys for the best ways your kids can help move.

Downsizing Belongings

A cardinal rule of moving is getting rid of excess. Relocations are great opportunities for paring down what we own and only keeping the things that serve a necessary function and the items that matter to us. Parents not only have to edit their belongings, but they also must tackle all their kids’ things too. Involving your kids in this organizational stage of moving is both an excellent way to delegate responsibility and help teach children the importance of living without excess and giving back to their local community. Offer kids a box and ask them to go through their belongings and to put into the box the things they no longer play with or need that another child might enjoy. Before dropping off the items for donation, sift through the collection to ensure nothing particularly important — like car keys — accidentally gets donated.

Labeling Boxes

If your child can and enjoys writing or drawing, consider handing over to them the important job of labeling your moving boxes. Labeling boxes can do a lot for moving families, especially when it comes time to unload the moving truck and decide where to put each box in the new home. In addition to labeling boxes based on where they should go in the new place, your kids can decorate the boxes by drawing the items included in each box or just doodle as they please. Delegating the task of moving-box labeler might save a small amount of time during the moving process, but it can also serve a larger purpose by keeping your kids busy and involved while you focus on packing up and moving.

Packing Their Essentials Bag

When it comes to moving, not everything should be packed in moving boxes. Each member of your family should have an essentials bag set aside. This bag should contain everything each person might need in the days leading up to and following the move. By having an essentials bag handy during the move, you can avoid digging through already packed boxes to find everyday essentials. For kids, essentials can include their toiletries, pajamas, favorite blanket or toy, books, and any other regular necessities. For children who can read, we recommend providing them with a checklist of items detailing the items they should pack. If your child isn’t old enough to read just yet, hand them a bag and tell them to go for it. In this case, you might need to make some adjustments to the bag’s contents, but it serves as a way to help kids feel included in the moving process, and some of the work will be done for you.

Mapping Our Their New Room

Relocations are a big deal for kids. Some kids might feel anxious or scared about giving up their old room for a new one. One of the best ways to help your child adjust their ideas about your move is mapping out their new room before your planned moving day. Outline what their new room will look like and ask them to illustrate how they want to arrange it. This can include where they want to put their bed, desk, or other furniture pieces, among other items. You probably won’t end up with a detailed blueprint that you can follow directly, but you might get a good idea about how they envision their bedroom set-up. Once they are finished with this project, consider sitting with them and discussing additional ideas, such as designating a space in the room for a special reading nook or a craft corner.

Packing: Where To Begin

Like any major undertaking, moving takes a considerable amount of planning and organization. Unfortunately, not everyone is an expert planner. Some even prefer to wait until the last minute to begin planning, organizing, and packing. So, if you’re one of those people who struggle with organization, does that mean you’re doomed to have a stressful, chaotic move? Not at all! In fact, you can get the ball rolling on moving prep by using the following packing cheatsheet from the expert movers at our Gainesville moving company.

Contact UF Mover Guys today to request a free quote on any of our local moving services!

Storage Items

The items you have stored away in your garage, basement, attic, and deep in the back of your closets should be some of the first items you pack up. Considering that many of the items in these places may already be packed into storage bins, this should be an easy place to start. Just make sure to take some time to purge items you no longer need and consolidate space by combining things into fewer boxes.

Fine China

It’s unlikely you’ll be hosting any fancy dinner parties right before you move, so go ahead and start packing up that fine china. Go ahead and pack up any other dishes you rarely use as well. Remember to label any boxes that contain breakable dishes as “fragile” and ensure they’re packed very carefully.

Wall Art

Leading up to moving day, your house probably won’t be the tidiest it’s ever been. So, you might as well go ahead and pack away decorative pieces like artwork, family photos, and any other ornamental wall hangings intended to liven up. Packing up wall art early on also gives you a chance to make sure you have enough time to pull nails out of the wall and fill any holes if you live in a rental.

Knick-Knacks

Knick-knacks, trinkets, and gewgaws are next. Knick-knacks could be old souvenirs, tabletop decor, your kids’ toys, or even your garden gnomes. Go ahead and pack them up now, as these items are small enough to be easily forgotten later on.

Out-Of-Season Clothes

If you’re moving in the summer, there’s no reason you can’t go ahead and pack up all those heavy winter coats. Luckily, clothes are easy to pack. You don’t even need to take them off their hangar! Just grab a trash bag, bundle a few clothing items up next to each other, slide the trash bag around the bundle, and tie the trash bag off with the hangars poking out of the top. This way you can just hang them up and pull the bag off when you get to the new place.

Books

Books are heavy, especially when a bunch of them are packed into a single box, so you might as well get them out of the way first. If you’ve got one or two books you’d like to keep out to read during the move, that’s fine, but go ahead and pack up the rest of the library. Also, make sure to comb through your collection and look for any books you may have borrowed. The last thing you want is to make off with a buddy’s book, especially if returning it means you’ll have one less book to transport.

What To Sell Before Moving & Re-Buy Later

Moving can be an expensive endeavor. Between the deposit for your new place, transportation fees, and the additional costs of any renovations, money is usually pretty tight in the months before and after a move. Fortunately, there’s a crafty way you can reduce moving expenses and make a few extra bucks simultaneously: the pre-move purge.

The pre-move purge concept is simple — merely identify the items you absolutely must take with you to your new place and sell the rest! Of course, deciding what to take with you and what to leave behind is often easier said than done. So, to help simplify the process even further, the experienced movers of our Gainesville moving company have compiled the following guide to the pre-move purge!

Contact UF Mover Guys today to request a free quote on any of our local moving services!

Common Items To Sell

The pre-move purge’s primary goal isn’t just to lighten your load but to earn you some cash that you can put towards upgraded versions of the items you choose to sell! Below are a few everyday items people tend to sell and then re-buy later.

Furniture

Furniture is one of the most common items people choose to sell before they move. The pre-move purge is the perfect opportunity to get rid of old, outdated furniture you no longer like and replace them with pieces that will fit better in your new home. Planning on painting your new place? Take the money earned from selling old furniture and use it to buy pieces that will compliment your walls!

Old Appliances

Appliances, washers and dryers in particular, can be a pain to transport. Luckily, there’s always going to be someone who’d be happy to buy your old appliances from you. If you’re moving somewhere that comes with its own appliances, it’s an excellent opportunity to sell yours and pocket the change. Conversely, if your new place requires you to provide appliances, you’ll be able to buy yourself newer, better functioning appliances.

Clothes

Most people don’t realize how many clothes they still have in their closets that either no longer fit or aren’t interested in wearing ever again. Sometime before moving day, gather up any clothes you’ve outgrown or no longer wear and sell them to clear up some closet space in your new home and earn some extra cash to put towards moving expenses.

How To Tell What You Should & Shouldn’t Sell

It can be hard to part with our belongings. Often, this reluctance to let things go, even if it’s for our own benefit, can cause us to hold on to things far longer than necessary. Should you come across any items you’re having trouble parting with during your pre-move purge, try asking yourself the following questions:

How often do I use this?
Does this function well?
Does this item hold any sentimental value?
Can this item be replaced by something more efficient?
Would selling this item lower my moving expenses?

Let the answers to these questions guide your decision next time you’re unsure whether to sell or keep an item. Overall, just remember, if an item won’t fit the aesthetic of your new home, is too big for your new home, is something you hardly ever use, or doesn’t bring you any kind of joy — sell it!

Where To Sell Your Things

Once you’ve identified which items you’ll be parting with before moving day, the next step is to actually get rid of them. These days, there are a plethora of options for people hoping to sell their used items. Usually, the quickest and easiest way to sell your stuff is on some kind of online marketplace (eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, LetGo, etc.). Alternatively, you could always stop by a few secondhand shops or consignment stores and see if they’d be interested in offering anything you’re looking to sell. Of course, there’s also the good old fashioned way of selling things — having a pre-move garage sale!

Moving? Boost Your Energy With These Tips

Moving can quickly zap anyone’s drive, but there are few extra steps you can take to maximize your energy and even find new sources of motivation when your reserves are running low. Don’t struggle through another minute of moving without checking out these energy-boosting tips from UF Mover Guys. And if you need a little extra help, request a free quote from our Gainesville moving company!

Get Enough Sleep

You can’t maintain energy levels if you aren’t providing your body with enough sleep to begin with. But, we know, sleeping regular hours during a move can be difficult. You might be stressed or overwhelmed by everything you have to do, or you might be physically over-exhausted. Either way, it’s not uncommon to be stuck counting sheep during a life change as significant as moving. Still, getting proper amounts of quality sleep will help keep stress in check and better prepare your body to cope with all of the extra work. If you’re finding it difficult to sleep during a move, try meditating 15-minutes before sleep. You can also take natural sleep aids, such as melatonin and chamomile, to ease you into a restful slumber.

Nourish Your Body

In addition to getting enough sleep, your body requires nutrients and hydration to meet the extra demand. Even though you might be busy, it’s important not to skip meals. Make mealtime a moment to relax and regroup. Also, avoid heavy or fatty meals that will weigh you down and cause bloating. Instead, enjoy lighter meals that are packed with vitamins and nutrients to keep you feeling your best. It’s also important to drink plenty of water. Hydration is vital for maintaining high energy levels under normal circumstances, and it’s crucial during increased physical activity such as moving.

Avoid Alcohol And Excess Caffeine

When it comes to drinking during a move, stick with water. When your energy dips in the afternoon, it may be tempting to brew another cup of coffee or make a quick trip to your favorite café. Still, caffeine can actually have the opposite effect of what you’re intending. Drinking too much caffeine, whether from energy drinks or coffee, can dehydrate you and send your energy levels plummeting fast after that initial jolt of stamina. And while indulging in a cold beer or two might make the monotony of packing or unpacking seem more bearable, alcohol also dehydrates you, slows you down, and negatively affects your quality of sleep, producing an avoidable cycle of sleepiness. Save the celebratory drinks for when the move’s over!

Get The Music Going

Whether it’s funk, pop, classic rock, hip hop, country, or electronic, play some music that really gets you going. Not only will it provide a tempo to match your work to, but it can also make a dull experience more enjoyable. Play moving karaoke while you pack the dishes, and you might be surprised to find that you’re having fun. Who knows, the next song that comes on could be your second wind to unpack those last few boxes.

Take Breaks With Purpose

When you’ve been lugging around boxes and furniture all morning, you probably want to do nothing but stare at your phone during a break. However, this can be counterproductive because once you stop moving, it can actually take a whole lot more energy just to get the ball rolling again. Instead of checking out during a break, try doing something that allows you to break away from moving but still keeps you active. Take the dog for a walk, head to the store for more packing tape, or cool off with a nice shower. If you absolutely must have a break where you’re doing nothing, limit the time to 5 or 10 minutes.

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help

It’s understandable to want to do it all yourself, but you’re just one person. Even if you’re moving with family members, a significant other, or a friend, moving is a lot of work, especially when you’re not used to it. Seeking out the services of professional movers can make all the difference between burning out or enjoying setting up your new home. Many moving companies can even help with junk removal so you have fewer things to move.

How To Protect Your Vacant Home Or Apartment While Moving

Sometimes, people may have to move before selling their house or before the lease on their apartment comes to an end. No big deal, timelines between new and old tenants rarely align. However, it can be worrisome being responsible for two properties at once, especially since vacant properties are more susceptible to break-ins, vandalism, and other forms of criminal activity. So, what’s the best way to protect your vacant home or empty apartment in the days, weeks, or months you’re still responsible for it?

No need for a property-wide electric fence or alligator-filled moat — instead, just follow these seven simple security tips from the UF Mover Guys!

Make It Look Like Someone Still Lives There

One of the most effective ways to protect your empty home is by making it look like someone still lives there. The reason vacant properties are targeted in the first place is the lack of human presence, so simulating occupancy will naturally deter criminals by erasing any perceived opportunity. A couple of good ways to simulate presence is by leaving a car parked in the driveway and scheduling indoor lights to turn on at certain times. Also, an overflowing mailbox is a dead giveaway that a home is vacant, so stop by and empty the mailbox now and then.

Don’t Leave Any Spare Keys Outside

It sounds obvious, but it’s not uncommon for people to leave their spare key underneath the welcome mat, in a potted plant, or above the doorframe of their vacant home in case they need to come back inside at a later time. Never do this, as those are the places a would-be intruder would check first. Instead, leave the spare key with a trusted neighbor or friend. Even if you believe you’ve found the perfect hiding spot, don’t leave your key outside — it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Double-Check All Windows & Doors

Amidst the hustle and bustle of move out day, you may forget to lock and secure all of the home’s windows and doors. To help avoid this, make sure the last thing you do on move-out day is to go through the house and double-check that every window and door is locked and secure. Also, a few weeks ahead of time, ensure that all the home’s locks hold strong. If any locks have been compromised, replace them before moving out. The last thing you want to do is leave the house wide open to intruders.

Keep The Alarm System Running

The more protection you have in place, the better, so hold off on ending the contract of your vacant home’s security system until necessary. Also, be sure to have anything that advertises the security system, from window decals to yard signs, prominently displayed. If you do decide to disconnect the home’s security systems on move-out day, at least leave the decals and signs up to convince criminals otherwise.

Ask Someone To Check On The Home

Moving too far away to check on the house yourself? Have a friend, family member, or even trusted neighbor stop by the property a few times a week and report any suspicious activity. Ask them to empty the mailbox, park their car in the driveway occasionally, and do anything else they can to make it look like people are still living there. Having watchful eyes on the property is worth it just for the peace-of-mind.

Install Motion Detector Lights

Motion detector lights are more than enough to discourage would-be intruders from entering a vacant home and make for cost-effective alternatives to a home security system. If you’re worried about someone lurking around the vacant home at night, install motion detector lights over the garage door, front door, backyard, and sides of the house. This strategic placement greatly reduces the number of ways an intruder could approach the house.

Take Care Of The Yard

An overgrown lawn is a telltale sign of a vacant home. For as long as the house is under your ownership, keep up with the landscaping. If you’re moving too far to stop by and give the grass trim, hire someone to do it for you. No need to keep every bush and tree trim and manicured; just ensuring the grass is cut regularly will suffice. Plus, having lawn care professionals stop by regularly is the kind of frequent activity that would deter criminals.

Moving soon? Check out more of our moving tips or contact our moving company to schedule residential moving services!