Month: June 2017

Moving requires our current utilities to be shut off and a new set of utilities to start. Here are a few things to help you make this transition as smooth as possible.

Make a list

Listing your current utilities will help you to remember to contact each company and to know if they provide service in your new area. Here’s a list to get you started:

• Electricity
• Gas/Propane
• Water
• Waste/recycling
• Landline
• Cable
• Internet
• Home Security

Get the details

Often we don’t remember if we said the right day or who we talked with, so on the list we just made, here are the details to write down.

• Whom you spoke with and at what time and day
• When the current utility will end
• If someone needs to be home
• When the new utility will start – if transferring
• Do they service the new address
• And transferring or refunding any deposits
• What to do with equipment
• Final Readings

Utility companies will come out a do a final reading before shutting off service and can be deducted from any deposit made at the beginning of service. Make sure the check the final bill, which means you need to be sure to provide your new address.

Asking for discounts

There is nothing wrong in asking for a discount on a new service, or to incentivize a company to keep you as a customer. Typically your electric or gas provider are not able to do discounts, but you could ask about budget billing. Budget billing will keep your monthly payments at the same price and adjust either annually or bi-annually according to your usage. Cable, phone and internet providers typically have plenty of discounts to offer.

Below you’ll find a list of additional tricks that will make moving your bulky pieces of furniture as easy as possible.

Wrap your furniture – Remember to protect your furniture just as you would your antique vase. Moving blankets are going to be invaluable to you throughout the process not only because they can help move your furniture but also because they will protect the pieces. Look into rental options or consider purchasing some cheap moving blankets at your local home center. You’ll need to protect the finish and edges of dressers, tables, and other furniture and you can use your moving blankets to do so. Once you’ve moved your items and wrapped the moving blankets around them, use stretch film to further protect the pieces  

Sling it up – The last thing you want to do on moving day is waste time wrestling with the mattresses in your home. Some mattresses are still made with handles but are no longer meant to be carried that way. Such handles are actually intended to help you position the mattress on the box spring, so they’re not very strong. An easier way to move a mattress is to make a simple rope sling that will give you and your partner more control when moving it.

Construct a plan – When moving to a new house, try to determine ahead of time where your furniture pieces will go. Before moving day, take some time to sketch out a rough floor plan with the correct measurements of each of the rooms. Then measure your furniture and create your template. During your moving day frenzy, place your furniture in the correct spot so you don’t have to rearrange everything later. If you’ve hired a residential moving company, give them a copy of the floor plan or tape one to a wall in each room so they can determine where things go at a glance.

Remove the backs from your recliners – Any little thing you can do to make moving day go smoothly is recommended. This includes taking the backs off of your reclining furniture. To do this, locate the brackets on the inside or outside of the back frame. Then lift the locking levers and slide the back upward to remove it. Doing this extra step will reduce the weight of the piece as well as the bulkiness. You should always lift a recliner from its sides and not by the back or footrest anyway.

Disassemble the pieces that you can – When you have to get a big, bulky sofa through a doorway, remember that taking the feet off will make it much easier. Though you may only be gaining a few inches, you’re still gaining a few inches of clearance. With other furniture pieces, try to make them lighter or slimmer as best you can by taking off removable parts. Consider knobs, doors, racks, legs, mirrors, and drawers when doing so.

Prepare to ramp it up – For the heavier items, create a scaffold or ramp to maneuver items in a much easier fashion. Your muscles will thank you later that night when they’re not as exhausted as they could have been.

The neighborhood is just as important as the house. Think of it like finding your perfect mate and the neighborhood is his/her closest friends and family. It helps to enjoy both, right? Here are few things to consider when looking into a new neighborhood.

Know what you want

You can find the most amazing house in any neighborhood. The only thing that matters is that you know yourself well enough to know what you really want when you start your search. Start asking yourself the hard questions after you have been pre-approved. Make a list of you must-haves and then move a few of those to the nice-to-have column.

Parks, Children & Community

If you have children the first question you will ask is about the school. Is it the district you want? The next thought is whether or not there is a park close by. Is it walking distance or driving? Lastly, some neighborhoods are communities within communities; grocery stores, coffee shops and other places to get to know your neighbors, is this important to you?

Drive time

Our commute is important. While some people enjoy a longer drive from home to work, ask yourself if you are happier in the car or enjoying more at-home time.

Research

In addition to your home inspection report, do a little research on the neighborhood. Have the neighbors had issues with water in their basements, or old pipe. While these things should be disclosed, there is a chance they are unaware, but if your new neighbors have had issues, you might as well.

You’ll also want to research crime reports. You can do an online search, or call the local police department.

First Impressions

When you first look at the house, don’t focus too much on the house, while important, you may miss other clues. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? All of these senses are our main source of information, so use them to your advantage. If the wind blows from a certain direction, what do you smell? Do you hear children playing or is the sound of the highway more prominent? Drive around the block and look at the other homes, what do you see?

Visit Multiple times

You will get a much better sense of the neighborhood if you visit at different times of the day and week. What is the neighborhood like at night? Is it well lit? Are people outside talking with each other, grilling and watching the kids play or do they all stay inside their homes or backyards? What’s the parking like? Do the neighbors have multiple cars and your potential new street is now a parking lot?