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

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.

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.

Before Moving to Gainesville

Moving to Gainesville

When you decide to move to Gainesville, FL, make sure your apartment or house is up and running as soon as you arrive. As soon as you know where you will be moving and have the new address, it is time to start looking into hooking up your utilities. The sooner you make arrangements, the sooner they can hook up your service. If you do not get in touch with the utility companies until a week before you move, you could face delays. Call the companies, or arrange services online, at least a month before your Gainesville relocation.

Setting Up Service with Gainesville Regional Utilities

Gainesville Regional Utilities, known as GRU to most of the area locals, offers many different services you will need for your home or apartment. They provide electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, garbage, and Internet services to homes and businesses. When you call to start any services with GRU, make sure you have the address of the new location, your SSN, and driver’s license number on hand. They need to know the date you want to start service too. Start your services at least a day or two before moving into the new property. Instead of calling, consider setting up the service over the web. It’s faster and easier.

In some cases, you may need to provide a security deposit to start service. This may happen if you’re new to the area and if you do not have any history with GRU. The amount of the deposit varies. Visit their website GRU.com to set up the service. Use the same site to pay the bill, check usage, and more.

Getting Cable or Satellite

Cox Cable provides service to the area and is one of the primary choices for those looking for cable, phone, and web service. Satellite companies such as Dish Network are available too. The best way to get service with these companies when moving to the area is with bundles. Bundled service offers a nice discount, and they have many different options that change with some frequency. Since they offer Internet service, they rent and sell modems if you need them. Visit their site to see what bundles are available in Gainesville.

Before choosing cable, make sure the home or apartment has wiring for cable. If choosing a satellite service, make sure you can have a satellite dish in your home. Some apartments and condo units prohibit them.

The Lay of the Land

Check out some online maps of your new neighborhood to get a better feel for it. Using Google Street View is one good option to explore your neighborhood virtually. Find places to shop and dine in the area before you even move there. Having some knowledge of the area’s layout will make getting around quite a bit easier. If you will drive a rental truck to the new place, knowing the look of the streets and the easiest way to get to your new place will be quite a relief.

Be Safe. Consider Your New Home’s Locks

When you move into a new home, you have so much to think about, like where the living room furniture will be placed, who will get what bedroom, and how you will decorate your brand new spaces.

However, there is something important you most likely haven’t thought about: moving means making your new home in a residence that once belonged to someone else.

You have no real idea of who has keys to it and how many have been handed out, lost, or misplaced. While this may not have even occurred to you as a safety risk, it could be. You have to consider the locks on your home and think about either getting them rekeyed or replaced.

The Evaluation

After the movers have left, take the time to go through the house and take inventory of the different locks used in the home. Keep places like these in mind:

The front door
The back door
Doors leading into the garage
Decorative doors (French or sliding)
Doors on utility buildings or sheds

This evaluation period is a good chance to determine whether you feel comfortable with the locks already used in the home or you want to make some replacements. If you don’t feel like you need to actually change out anything, then you can make a quick call to a locksmith and ask them to rekey the locks already in place. This service will cost different amounts based on where you live and how many locks you need altered.

Changing Locks

If you would like to change locks altogether or you want different types of safety systems, then you have some research to do. Before you even start unpacking after you have finished moving, try to determine what types of locks you would like to add to your new home. Some of your options include the following:

Spring Latch. Also called slip bolt locks, these work with the doorknob and lock it into place. They are considered to be the most minimal of security but are usually included on front and back doors.
Deadbolt. This lock bolts the door to the frame and has to be manually opened either by a key on the outside or a knob on the inside. They can be placed horizontally along the doorframe or vertically at the top.
Double Cylinder Deadbolt. This type of deadbolt works in the same way as the one above, but requires a key to unlock from the inside or out. This is ideal if your door has glass panes since it will deter thieves from simply breaking the glass and reaching inside to turn the bolt.

As far as outdoor buildings, you should consider replacing locks only if you have to store expensive equipment in them. Most people don’t even think of locking their tool shed or utility building, and if you don’t plan to, then there is certainly no reason to change the locks.

When you are moving into a new home, there is certainly a lot to think about, including safety. Think about any changes you want to make to the locks throughout your home for security purposes.

An Easy Moving Timeline

If you know you will be moving in Gainesville months in advance, you may be tempted to put things off. After all, you have plenty of time, right?

You may be surprised at how quickly things can sneak up on you, and if they do, then you could become overwhelmed and stressed out very quickly. Instead of waiting until the last minute, follow this quick and simple timeline. It is guaranteed to make your life much easier. Remember that it is never too early to start planning for the move.

Eight to Six Weeks in Advance

If you can, then get started at least two months in advance of when you will be moving. This will give you enough time to do plenty of research and then make the right decisions. Start by learning about where you will be relocating. If you are relocating a long distance away, you will need to learn more about the community. Many towns and cities offer a relocation package that will tell you about utilities, schools, and much more. Other things to do during this time period include:

Put together a file on your computer to keep track of your moving information and receipts.
Start determining how much money it is going to cost to relocate and then start saving.
Begin gathering tips and information for choosing movers, packing your belongings, and finding a new place to live.
Make sure your children’s school records will be transferred.
Contact any clubs or groups you are members of and find out if you will have to pay to end or transfer your memberships.
Start planning how you will use each room in your new home. Get a floor plan if you can.
Start making a list of everyone that needs to be notified that you are moving.
Inventory each room and determine anything you don’t want to take with you.

Five to Four Weeks in Advance

About a month before your move, you can really start making progress so that you don’t find yourself doing everything a week before the movers will arrive.

Find boxes, whether you purchase them or ask local businesses for them.
Pack up anything you don’t need to use between now and your move. Donate or sell anything you don’t want to keep.
Determine if you need a storage unit in your new location and start looking for one.
Contact the post office to file a change or address. You can do this online or in person.
Get your pets’ veterinary records.
Arrange to have the utilities disconnected at your old home and connected at the new one on moving day.
Cancel your local newspaper subscription.

Three Weeks to A Few Days in Advance

In the last three weeks, you will have a lot to do before the movers arrive.

Get your car serviced.
Dispose of poisons or flammable materials.
Make arrangements to close your bank account or transfer funds.
Notify creditors and subscriptions of your move.
Finish packing.
Prepare a box or suitcase of essentials you will need before unpacking.
Empty your refrigerator.
Give friends and family your new address.

If you stay on track for your move, then you will find everything much less stressful. Remember that the more you can get done in advance of moving day, the better.