Make These Improvements Before You Move

When you move out of your old home, it’s important that you take proper steps to leave the place in good repair. If you are selling the property, making just simple improvements can make it so much easier to find a buyer. Even if the home will be sitting unoccupied for a while, you won’t want it to fall into disrepair. Before you get started moving, take some time and a little money to make just a few improvements.

The Kitchen and the Bathroom

Studies show that the two rooms that will bring the best return on investments are the kitchen and the bathroom. Little things you can do differently, like a new coat of paint or refinished cabinets will make a big difference in the price you can get for your home if you sell after moving.

You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars either. A few ideas for renovating these two rooms include:

Refinish Cabinets
Paint
Resurface Counters
Replace Bathroom Mirrors
Replace Switch Plates and Outlets
Refinish Floors
Add Window Coverings

Cleaning Garages and Basements

In many homes, the garages and basements can be a little scary. They often have boxes that have been in storage for years and they can gather dust (and animals) very easily. You should always take the time to clean these two spaces out thoroughly when you are moving out.

Make sure to get rid of anything you no longer want to keep and clean out all boxes from the rooms. Then, inspect them carefully. You need to look for cracks in the home’s foundation, leaks in pipes, and other damage that will need to be cared for before you move out. All of these things can do damage to your home if it is sitting empty and they can also take away from the value of the property when you want to sell.

Landscaping

There is something very important to curb appeal when you are trying to sell your home. People want to know that the property looks nice before they buy it, so it is extremely important to do a little landscaping when you are moving out. If you don’t have the time to do the landscaping yourself, then hire a team to come in and do the work. It will only take a few hours to get the property in order and then your house will look very appealing to potential buyers.

Keep Up with Pest Control

Pest control is important, especially if your home may stand empty for a while. That’s because your house could get invaded and no one will know it until you show the property to a potential buyer. Talk to your local pest control company and explain that you are moving and then ask them to keep up quarterly control even while you are gone.

It’s important to do a little home improvement when you are moving out of your house. While you may be focused on your new property wherever you may be living, you cannot forget your old home whether you are selling it or not.

How to Protect Floors During a Move

If you hire professional movers, then you shouldn’t have to worry about your furniture being well taken care of. That’s because they have the training and know-how to ensure everything is protected properly.

However, even the most careful house moves could take a toll on your floors. You may pack things and slide them across the floor or the movers may scuff up surfaces as they get your belongings out.

It’s very important that you take extra care of the floors in your old home so that you don’t have to worry about making repairs or losing security deposits. Obviously, you don’t want to do any damage to your new home that you will end up repairing right when you move in.

There are a few different things you can do to protect the surfaces from scuffs, scrapes, and scratches.

Sliders

There are small disks that fit under the legs of heavy furniture that allow the pieces to be easily slid across the floor surface. You can purchase these sliders if you would like since they may come in handy if you ever decide to reorganize a room.

Alternatively, you may be able to get them from your movers. Either way, keep in mind that these only work when you are moving heavy pieces across an even floor. They won’t work when moving furniture up or down stairs.

Rugs

If you don’t have the sliders, then you can also place old rugs under furniture to move the pieces and there are several safety precautions you need to take, especially if you are moving the furniture without the help of trained movers.

Never try to slide the piece by grasping the rug and pulling. Tall furniture could tip over and cause injury.
Be careful to not step on the rug when sliding the furniture. This hitch could injure the person helping you.
Don’t use sheets that may be very thin. The furniture could still scratch the surface of wood floors through the material.

The best approach is to use the materials provided by your mover. You can discuss different options for getting large pieces out of your home without causing any damage to the flooring.

Remember that if you do damage the floors in a rental that you are moving out of, you will likely forfeit your security deposit. If you have already sold your home, then you will need to repair the damage to the state the house was in when the buyers signed the contract.

Professional movers will do their best to never cause damage in your old or new home, but accidents can happen when so many people (including yourself) are working to get things in or out. It’s a very good idea to take extra steps in protecting your flooring so that you don’t have to worry about repairing or paying for repairs on scuffs and scratches to hardwood surfaces or pulls to carpets. Simple tools like furniture sliders or pieces of old rugs can make all the difference in protecting those surfaces.

Great Tips for Packing When Moving

Moving can be a stressful experience, but it does not have to be that way. When you use the tips included here, your move is much easier.

Begin Packing Early

Even if it is a few weeks before your move, it is important to start your packing as soon as possible. When you have more time to pack, you can do it the right way. Rushing around at the end, or when your Gainesville movers are on their way, is a surefire way to break things cause things to break. You want to have everything packed long before the big day arrives. It will reduce your stress levels.

Remove Items from Drawers

Sometimes, it might seem as though it would be faster to leave some of your items in your dresser drawers and nightstand drawers. This will increase the weight of the unit, though, and the drawers may fall open and cause a mess, even if you tape them. Remove the items and pack them in their own boxes with the appropriate labels.

Large Appliances

If you are taking your larger appliances with you, such as your refrigerator, you need to prepare them. Remove all of the food and defrost the fridge at least a day or two before the move. Clean the refrigerator inside and out so it is ready to set up and plug in at your new home.

Lighten the Load

Books are some of the heaviest items you will be moving. This is often because people overpack boxes. Keep the boxes to between 30 and 50 pounds maximum. It will be easier to move a few more boxes rather than move ultra heavy boxes. Keep this in mind when packing other items as well. If you can disassemble an item, such as an entertainment center, it will be easier to move. Do your best to make every trip as light as possible.

Your Kitchen Table and Other Furniture

Remove the table legs and tie them together. Make sure you add some padding between the legs so they aren’t scratched during the move. It may be a good idea to wrap some towels or bubble wrap around the legs and sides of furniture. This can help keep them in good condition during the move.

Always Label

No matter what it is you are packing, you need to label it properly. It will make it much easier to put your house together when the Gainesville moving company puts the boxes in your new home. It also makes it easier to put your own electronics together.

Whether you are moving across the country or you are simply making a move across town, the preceding tips and tricks should help to make things proceed smoothly for you. Many moving companies will offer professional moving supplies for those who need them. Some of the companies out there will even take care of the packing for you.

Simple Steps to Long Distance Moving

For most people, moving across the street or down the block is not a reality. Instead, you are much more likely to relocate hundreds of even thousands of miles away. The long distance makes the whole move all the more complicated and you do have to take special precautions and make specific decisions for this type of relocation.

Talk to the Insurance Company

You need to ensure that your belongings will be safe during the whole move, so you need to take to your insurance company about your current homeowners’ or renters’ policy. In some cases, your belongings will be covered until you reach the new home, but it is always a good idea to check because your items will be much more at risk during long distance moving.

Label Everything Properly

If you are just relocating in the same town, you probably will remember where everything is packed because the short time that elapses from home to home. However, when you will be spending several days on the road, you may forget where things are and this can make setting up your new household all the more difficult.

As you start packing boxes, make absolutely sure you are labeling everything properly. If you want to make things all the more easy, purchase an inexpensive Polaroid camera, and take a picture of the room in which the box belongs and tape it to the top.

Use the Right Moving Supplies

Because your belongings will be on the road for much longer, supplies matter all the more because you need to ensure everything is packed carefully. Moving blankets should be used to protect furnishings from scratches. Proper boxes and packing materials should be used to protect valuables and breakables.

Hire the Right Company

If you are hiring a moving company, then consider one that specializes in residential/household moving and that has a good reputation. You need to ask quite a few different questions before hiring a company, like how they hire their employees, what type of insurance they have, how they calculate fees, and whether or not they guarantee move in and out dates.

Prepare a “Ready Kit”

Since you won’t have access to your belongings for several days, you need to have important supplies readily available while you are moving. This ready kit should include toiletries, basic kitchen and food items, medications and anything else you will need easy access to when you are on the road and when you first arrive at your new home.

Long distance moving is quite different from just heading across town, but for many people, it is a necessity. Whether you are relocating for work, for school, or for any reason, going for thousands of miles brings its own set of difficulties. There are certain steps you can take to ensure the whole process goes as smoothly as possible. Follow the steps above and you can get to your new home with your belongings still intact and ready to be unpacked.

What You Need to Know About Holiday Moving

You already most likely know how stressful moving can be. It takes so much time, work, money, and thinking; you will definitely be worn out in the end. Moving during certain parts of the year can be even more complicated.

For example, if you have a family, relocating during the holidays is a very serious hassle. It’s one that you will most likely want to avoid if at all possible. So, before you make the decision, take some time and think about it. Do you really absolutely have to move during the holidays or could you put it off for a week? If you have no other choices, then here are some tips that you can use to retain normalcy and still enjoy a celebration even when everything is in boxes.

Hire Movers Early

Many moving companies will actually only work with a half-staff during the holidays because so many people want time off to spend with their families. That means they can get booked up very quickly. Because of this, if you wait until the last minute, you may not find anyone available. If you know you are going to have to relocate during the holidays, then be sure to find a company as early as possible and get them booked right away.

Find an Empty Space

You will obviously want to still celebrate the holidays even though you are in the middle of moving. This is so important for families, especially with small children. If you want to still have that experience, then find a spare room that is away from all of the boxes and packing materials. Make sure you know where the tree is with at least some of the decorations. You can get everything set up in the extra room and you and your family can have a mini celebration right there, away from the rest of the activity.

Feel Free to Splurge on Food

If you are following a healthy diet, then it may be time to fall off the wagon for a few days. If you try to celebrate the holidays, stick to a diet, and move all at the same time, this is a recipe for a bad mood. Enjoying those holiday foods can boost your mood and help you feel more in the spirit of the season even if your decorations are packed away and loaded on a moving truck.

Get Someone to Stop By

Moving to a new house can seem so empty and cold, and you may have trouble making it feel like a real home when everything is still packed up. Try to find a friend or family member who could stop by for a cup of hot cocoa or to watch a seasonal movie with you. Just having someone else familiar in the house for a short time will make it feel more like it’s your place.

Moving on its own is so stressful. Dealing with the holidays makes it even more difficult. If you have a family, make sure you take simple steps so that you can still celebrate the season even when you are in the middle of relocating.

Things to Avoid When Packing Electronics for a Move

Almost any home in the country will have several different pieces of electronics lying around: computers, televisions, tablets, DVD players, Blu-ray players, sound speakers, video game consoles, and more. You may have a couple of pieces that only cost a few hundred dollars or you have high tech equipment that costs thousands and thousands.

In either case, you need to make sure that all of the equipment is packed away very carefully before the movers arrive. Some people may be tempted to just throw all of the electronics into a box and hope for the best, but this is a good way for things to get broken. You certainly don’t want to unpack the Playstation to find that it no longer works. Here are a few things you need to avoid when packing up your electronics for a relocation.

Not Labeling Cords

One of the best tools you could purchase for moving with electronics is a label maker or even just label stickers and a marker. You need to make sure you label everything that you disconnect from electronics or you could have a big mess when you arrive at your new home. If you have to leave anything in storage for any amount of time, you will likely forget what goes to what equipment, and even a few days’ span can leave you scratching your head.

If you don’t want to actually mark the specific cords with a label, another option is color coding. Small round, colored dots can be placed next to the port on the equipment and then stuck to the corresponding cord.

Packing Computers in Bubble Wrap

The majority of packing materials you could use when moving your home often will create static electricity. That’s not a problem when wrapping up china or glassware, but it is a very big issue with computers.

Static electricity can actually ruin the hard drive in desktops and laptops. To avoid this expensive type of damage, be sure to wrap computers in towels or sheets. If you must use bubble wrap, look for the non-static kind (it’s usually pink).

Leaving Things Inside

If you are moving in a hurry, you may be tempted to just unhook that DVD player or video game and throw it in a box, but there is one thing you are forgetting. You should never leave a disc of any type in the drive. This includes in DVD players, video game consoles, or CD players. If you do and the equipment is shaken in anyway while loaded in the moving truck, the disc could be lodged into the machine and you may not be able to get it out. This can completely ruin the device itself.

When you are getting ready to move, you have a lot of packing to do before the movers arrive, but don’t get in too big of a hurry. Take special care of your electronics to ensure everything arrives at your new home safely. Avoid the things above and you can expect a much better experience.

Choosing a Storage Facility

When moving, you may want to store some items. If downsizing from a large home to a smaller house or an apartment, try to save as much space as possible. Storage is a great option in these cases. Make sure to spend some time looking at the various self-storage options in your area to see what they offer. When comparing the facilities, keep all of the following in mind.

Location

Where is the facility located? How far from your home is it? If you need items from the unit, you do not want to drive an hour to reach it. Choose a facility that is within an easy drive. Regarding the location, consider the quality of the neighborhood too. Do not put your belongings in a facility located in a bad area. They might have plenty of security on-site, but getting onto the site and into your unit might be dangerous. Even if the unit is cheap, consider the safety level.

Options and Sizes

What size units does the facility offer? Some of the most popular sizes include 5’x5’, 5’x10’, and 10’x20’. Some self-storage companies may have other options. You need to know how much space you require before choosing a unit. The storage company can guide you to the right size unit if you need help. Look at all the options and features the company offers.

Climate Control

Humidity can be a big problem, particularly in Florida. The weather can cause damage to many types of items. This is true even when they are in a storage unit. High humidity could warp wood and destroy a precious comic book collection. Cold temperatures can damage items as well. When looking for a unit and narrowing your choices, eliminate those that do not offer climate control.

Insurance

Does the facility have insurance? Some facilities may have insurance that covers all of your items. In other cases, you may need to buy additional self-storage insurance. Always ask about their insurance policy to see what it covers. Some will cover flood and fire only. Others may also cover theft.

Security

All storage facilities say they are safe. Look at the types of safety features and precautions the facility actually offers though. Do they have cameras? Do they have an onsite security guard? Ask about the types of locks used with the units. Some companies no longer use padlocks because they are too easy to cut. Consider this when choosing your facility.

The Cost

How much does the storage unit cost? Ultra cheap units may have issues in other areas, so you cannot merely choose based on the price. Look at the amount you need to pay for the unit and compare it with all of the preceding factors too. Knowing your items are safe is integral in choosing a unit. Even if you might need to pay a bit more for the unit, it is worth the cost.

Take time to examine the various facilities in your community and choose one that’s perfect for your needs.

Great Tips for Packing When Moving

Moving can be a stressful experience, but it does not have to be that way. When you use the tips included here, your move is much easier.

Begin Packing Early

Remove Items from Drawers

Large Appliances

Lighten the Load

Your Kitchen Table and Other Furniture

Always Label

How to Move Affordably

Moving isn’t cheap. In fact, if you have to pick up and relocate several states away, you will likely spend thousands of dollars just getting into your new home, and you may not have that kind of money.

When you have no choice but to relocate, you need to start finding ways to save money while still getting everything moved properly. There are small things to do that can save cash, and you don’t have to break the bank.

Choose from the Right Moving Companies

There are some moving companies out there that will tack on all sorts of hidden fees that can add up quickly. When you start searching for the right movers, take the time to pick the right one and you can save hundreds of dollars. A few things to consider include:

Ask the company how they will determine the cost to move your belongings. Some calculate by room, but if you don’t have heavy appliances, this should be a factor.
Ask about insurance, travel fees, and other expenses that could be added to your final bill.
Make sure you only pay once for a gas fill-up instead of at the beginning and end of the move.

If you don’t want to use movers, then you also have the option to rent a truck. However, when you factor in gas costs, mileage, and your own ability to drive the vehicle, it may be more cost effective to bring in the professionals anyway.

Don’t Overspend on Moving Supplies

When you can, find ways to save money on the boxes, tape, newspaper, and other materials you will need to pack up your belongings. For your valuable and breakable items, it’s a good idea to buy sturdy boxes, but for other things, you may be able to find them for free by contacting local businesses.

Ask your friends and family for newspapers to use for filler, but again, make sure you do purchase the right materials for your breakable items. For long distance moving, you simply cannot take chances with valuables or you could spend so much more than the cost of materials just to replace things that were broken.

Have a Yard Sale

Before you pack up everything, be sure to go through all of your belongings and get rid of things you don’t need anymore. Likely, you have quite a bit and there is no sense in taking those items with you. Instead of packing them away, consider having a yard sale. You could raise some extra cash that can go toward the move and you won’t have to pay to bring along so many unnecessary items.

Handle the Cleaning

Don’t hire a cleaning company unless you absolutely have to. Instead, clean your old home on your own or get the help of friends and family. This way, you can save hundreds of dollars.

If you are careful, you can save quite a bit of money when you are moving. It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg when you take simple money saving steps.

Buying a House when Moving to Florida

Moving to Florida

Buying a home and moving from your old place can be exciting, but it’s also very stressful. You will suddenly be responsible for a very large mortgage payment every month. At the same time, though, you will have a place of your own. If you are planning on a move to Florida, then there are several things you need to do before you sign any paperwork.

Get Your Finances in Order

You need to have your finances all sorted out well before you start looking for a new house. If you have been previously renting, then the cost could be dramatically different. Additionally, if you are moving from out of state, you have to factor in a change for the cost of living. Take the time to consider every expense that will be involved in your new home purchase to determine how much you can afford to spend. Keep in mind that there is much more to it than just the mortgage payment itself. The new expenses include:

The mortgage (there are calculators online that will help you determine the payment you can afford).
Homeowners’ insurance
Home upkeep and maintenance
PMI (private mortgage insurance may be required depending on the lender and the loan).
Utilities (they will be more expensive than in an apartment)
Homeowners’ association fees

Remember that when you close on the loan, you will be committed to paying for that house. Before you even begin packing boxes and preparing for a move, you need to be absolutely sure you are financially prepared to buy a house.

Finding the Right Neighborhood

Whether you have children or not, you will want to choose the right neighborhood to move into. By narrowing down your options, you will find it easier to shop for the different houses for sale. You can do so much research online, but if you have a particular area in mind, then you can write to the chamber of commerce and ask for welcome packets. Keep in mind that even if you need to do business in the city, you could choose to live in smaller outlying areas. For example, if you wish to move to Gainesville, you could live in the metro area or choose from many of the small towns nearby depending on the convenience and way of life you prefer.

Find a Realtor

If you are moving to Florida from out of state, then you won’t be able to spend time touring houses and hunting down options you like. You need someone working for you who is familiar with the area. A realtor will be able to find properties that fit your parameters so that you don’t have to sift through the hundreds that are available.

Moving to Florida can be a fun; exciting experience and you will definitely want to find the right property to call your new home. Make sure you spend some time determining what type of house you could afford to buy and then research your different options to choose a property you will love.