Author: Boulevard

Autumn is a time when leaves fall, temperatures drop, and the days get shorter. These conditions can present challenges for homeowners who want to sell. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to ensure that your home is attractive to buyers. By taking steps to improve your curb appeal, ensure your home is comfortable and bright indoors, you can sell your house quicker and perhaps for more money.

1. Keep the Lawn Clear

As dead leaves fall from the trees and perennial plants die back for the season, many lawns fill with debris to be cleared. Keep your yard clear by cutting back perennial plants that have dried up. Rake leaves beneath trees.

If you keep dead leaves in a pile on your lawn, keep the pile out of view from home buyers. Rake your yard before each home showing, especially if your trees are losing lots of leaves. Not only do leaves make your lawn look messy, but they can also remind homebuyers how much work your lawn is in the fall — and that’s no good!

2. Maintain a Comfortable Temperature Indoors During Showings

This is not the time to save money on HVAC costs. Instead, keep your home appropriately comfortable to ensure that it is comfortable for buyers when they come to see your house. Buyers can show up unexpectedly, so it’s best to keep your house at a comfortable temperature during the day.

3. Put Out Seasonal Decorations (But Don’t Go Overboard)

Seasonal decorations can help your home feel cozy in the fall. It’s a good idea to hang a fall wreath or put a fall table setting in the middle of your dining room table. That said, keep your decorations tasteful, attractive, and understated.

Avoid over-the-top decorations like bright or colorful Halloween decorations. The purpose of your decorations is to set a mood but not overpower your buyers with your seasonal spirit. Bright decorations can distract buyers from the other features of your home, and that’s not helpful.

4. Turn On Lights Everywhere

Fall is a time when the days grow short, and homes can be dark on the inside. So keep the lights on in your house when you’re showing it to buyers. Replace all burned-out light bulbs before the first showing, and keep all lights on – especially if a showing occurs in the evening or at night.

5. Put Out Autumn Scented Candles

Autumn has its own scents, and most people find those scents comforting. So put out autumn-scented candles to get your buyers in the spirit. You don’t even have to light your candles – just set them out and let the smells make your home more welcoming to buyers.

Moving Soon? Contact a Reputable Moving Company

It’s essential to work with a reputable moving company when you’re moving. For example, if you’re selling your house, that may mean you need a moving company that can safely transport your possessions from one home to another.

Working with a good moving company will take the stress off your relocation, so you can spend more time thinking about making your house attractive to buyers. Contact us; we can make your relocation a success. 

The weeks leading up to a household move can get pretty hectic. One way to alleviate some stress is to get organized and offload possessions you don’t need. Holding a moving sale is an ideal way to downsize, save on moving costs, and put extra cash in your pocket. Here are seven tips for having a successful moving sale.

1. Select a Date and Time

Generally, the best days for moving sales are on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Plan to hold your sale for at least two days. Set a date as soon as possible once you know you’re moving. This way, if you don’t sell as much as you’d like, you can either hold a second moving sale, sell items online, or have time to donate them. Next, choose a start and end time. Try to plan the sale early in the morning; 7 or 8 a.m. is usually the best time. (Keep in mind, you’re also likely to get early birds regardless of the time.)

2. Ask Neighbors if They Want to Join In

The more, the merrier! Ask neighbors if they’d be interested in participating in a multi-family yard sale event. The larger the sale, the chances more buyers will attend. Plus, it’s easier to spread the word about the sale with more neighbors involved.

3. Be Sure to Advertise

Dropping a post on Facebook is helpful, but it isn’t going to be enough to have a successful sale. Use different advertising techniques, including Craigslist, placing flyers at grocery stores and other high traffic areas, and posting bright-colored posters in and around the neighborhood.

Pro Tip: Before posting signs, check with local officials and HOAs to ensure you don’t break any rules.

4. Set Prices for Each Item

Evaluate the items planned to be sold and set fair pricing. If unsure, look on eBay or other online sales spaces to see what similar things are going for. Be sure when you plan for pricing to remember that people will try to barter and go into the sale willing to negotiate. Items truly worth more money than you’re ready to negotiate might be better off sold online or at a consignment shop.

5. Tag Each Item

Tag each item with its own sticker and place it in an easy-to-see location. It’s sometimes helpful to use colored tags (e.g., high and low-priced items or if it’s a multi-family sale) to help differentiate where needed.

6. Plan for Tables, Baskets, and Blankets

Get as organized as possible and eliminate the possibility that possessions you don’t want to sell aren’t comingled with the items for sale. Set up tables, place smaller, non-breakable items in baskets, and layout blankets. Having an organized display makes your things look more appealing, and it’s easier to keep track of what you are selling.

7. Establish a ‘Register’ for Payments

Have a separate table to handle transactions. Items you’ll need include:

• Cash box with plenty of change
• Calculator
• Scissors, tape, and packing paper (for fragile items)
• Plastic bags, boxes, etc.

Be sure to designate someone to always be at the “register” at all times during the sale.

Moving Made Easy

Holding a sale is a great way to reduce clutter, simplify packing, and reduce moving costs. Need help with an upcoming move? Contact us today for a free quote.

A kitchen is one of the most challenging rooms to pack when moving. Dishes and glassware are fragile, and many items have diverse shapes and sizes. However, through planning and a step-by-step approach, you can successfully pack this room.

Sort and Simplify

The first step is to sort and separate those items you want to take from those you will give away or sell in a garage sale.  A rule of thumb is that if you’ve not used it in six months, don’t move it.

Set Aside Essentials 

Set aside enough dishes, cutlery, small appliances, and pots for your last two days in your old home. After everything else is packed, you’ll use these and then wash and pack them up in an essentials box to use in the first days in your new home.

Assemble Packing Materials

You’ll need moving boxes, packing tape, packing paper, cell kits, and a marker. Packing paper is better than bubble wrap because it is more flexible and takes up less space. While some people use newsprint, plain packing paper works better because it won’t transfer ink to your dishes. 

And markers to label each box. 

Pack Infrequently Used Items First

Start by packing those items you don’t use as frequently. These might include extra dish towels, large roasting pans, pictures, and unusual utensils such as barbecue tongs. It also will likely include fragile items such as vases, crystals, and wine glasses. Pack the fragile items carefully, wrapping them properly and inserting them into the cell kits. Indicate which boxes contain fragile things so that the movers can use caution when handling those cartons.

The artwork also requires careful handling. You can group small and medium-sized artwork, but larger pictures will need to be packed separately in a box slightly larger than the frame. If the frame has a glass covering, put tape across it in the shape of an X.

Pack Unopened Bottles

Alcohol, olive oil, vinegar, and other bottled items also can be packed early in the process. To maximize your budget, be sure that the item’s weight is worth the cost to move it. For example, a bottle of fine wine may be worth moving, but a bottle of inexpensive vinegar may not be.

Pack Drawers and Shelves

Pack drawers and shelves. If you haven’t already done so, remove those that you haven’t used and find a new home for them.

Pack Dishes

Tape the bottom of the box along the seam and then across it several times to ensure the bottom doesn’t open up.

Then start with the plates because they are the heaviest. Ball up some packing paper to create a cushion. Then wrap the plates carefully, one at a time, and put them in the box vertically (standing on their side.) Pack additional paper along the sides so that they do not move and at the top for cushioning.

After the plates, wrap the bowls individually and pack them on their sides as a second layer. Place another layer of paper on top as a cushion. Close the box.

Use cell boxes for the glasses, wrapping each one before placing it in the cell.

Pack Pots, Pans, and Pantry

Pack all but the one all-purpose pot you set aside for the essentials box. When packing your pantry, start with the spices first, then work your way to the larger items.

We Can Help Get You There

For more expert tips and a free quote, contact us. We can help with your packing, transport, unpacking, and the details in between.

Downsizing and decluttering are an integral part of the moving process. In addition, if you’re selling your home, decluttering will make the home more appealing to potential buyers.

However, downsizing and decluttering can help your move go more smoothly, even if you’re not selling a home. The more you can dispose of, the less you’ll have to pack and unpack. As a result, downsizing and decluttering also can reduce the cost of your move.

Here are some tips on downsizing and decluttering.

Start Early

A good rule of thumb is to start at least three months before your move, but the earlier, the better. If you can start early, you’ll leave yourself time to sort through your home without feeling overwhelmed.

Determine a Method

Several methods exist for downsizing your home. In the KonMari way, you take one category at a time and give away any items that no longer spark joy. In the one-a-day method, you let go of one thing each day or the number of items that match that day of the month. So, for example, if today were the 15th, you’d discard 15 items.

Another method is the four-box method, which restricts what you can do by only giving you four options. You either keep the item, donate it, toss it, or sell it. You avoid putting things in storage.

Have a Goal

If you already have found a new place to live, you’ll determine your downsizing goal based on the size of your new home. First, measure the rooms to know whether or not your large pieces of furniture will fit. Also, measure the closet, pantry, shelf, and storage spaces within the home.

Consider Your Lifestyle

When determining whether an item will fit in your new home, measurements aren’t the only criteria. A home indicates a lifestyle, and your lifestyle may change with the move.

For example, suppose you move from a home in the suburbs to a condo in the city. You won’t need any lawn care equipment. You also may not need exercise equipment if your condo building has a gym.

As another example, suppose you are moving to your retirement home. You won’t need most of your professional clothes, briefcases, and other items you used on the job.

Go Digital

Sort through all your paper files. You may be able to discard many of them, and you can also convert them to digital. Home movies, music, and photographs also can be preserved digitally.

Start from the Bottom 

When cleaning out closets, start with the items on the floor first, then work your way to the items on hangers. This method gives you space to work. It also boosts your confidence because the job will appear closer to being finished.

Divvy Up Sentimental Items

If sentimental items don’t fit into your new home, consider giving them to relatives or friends who also have a connection to the item. In addition, you can retain the memory by taking a digital photo of the item and writing a description of its significance.

Down to the Basics for Your Move

If you are moving soon, contact us. We can provide you with a free quote and excellent service to get you to your new home stress-free.

For many people, miscellaneous items that end up in the attic or basement are rarely used. So when preparing for a move, you can quickly realize just how much stuff you have collected in these spaces. Unfortunately, some of these extra belongings can just add to the load when you may not even use the stuff often enough to keep. So here are a few good tips for minimizing the number of things you have to pack in your attic or basement before moving.

1. Pull everything out of the space first.

Some basements and attics can be cramped, which means they may not be the best place to assess all you have stored in the area. Therefore, an excellent tip to remember as you pack before moving is to get everything moved to a site where you can better assess the collection. This also offers a twofold advantage of physically handling everything, which means looking at each item and deciding whether it is worth keeping. 

2. Organize everything into storage containers.

Pick up some suitable storage containers with lids. Opt for stackable versions. These containers can be packed, transported, and then restored with ease in the new house. A few good features to look for include: 

• Sturdy handles and not handles built into the lids 
• Secure-fit lids 
• Proper fill weight for what you intend to store 
• Clear bins for easy visibility if that’s important 

Once you have your storage bins, label them or do what you need to designate the container for a specific purpose. 

3. Look at what does not belong.

Once you have filled the containers with items from your basement or attic, look at the things you still have that don’t necessarily have a place to go. Attics and basements can become catch-alls for many items that may be more logical in other areas in the house. For example, if you find various hand tools, it’s better to pack those with items from the garage. 

4. Pull out what you haven’t used in over a year.

After organizing your collection and ensuring everything is in its place, you might have some other items you don’t necessarily need to take with you. Minimalist tips can help you if you are struggling to let go of things. Consider: 

• Is this an item you actually use
• Does the item have personal or tangible value
• Is the item worth the space it consumes

These questions can be helpful so you can sift out what will never be used or what would be best donated, which can truly help you lighten the load during your move. 

Get Packing With the Help of Moving Pros 

From the basement to the attic and every space in between, packing up a home can be a lot of work. To make sure your big transition is not so stressful, be sure to enlist the help of a moving company. Reach out to us so we can offer a free moving quote today. 

Whether you have outgrown your home or simply need a change, listing your home for sale is a big decision to make. Before your home is portrayed in local real estate listings with “for sale” phrasing and a price, be sure to get your home prepared. Here are five good tips to help you along.

1. Declutter

Professionals who handle staging a home before showing it to prospective buyers say that decluttering helps by:

• Making the house appear roomier
• Keeping prospects from feeling distracted
• Opening up room for visualization

If your home is brimming with belongings, prospects may not only have a hard time seeing the potential of the house, but they may also find it challenging to envision the home as their own.

2. Depersonalize

You don’t have to strip the home of everything that belongs to you necessarily, but it can be a good idea to pull out highly personal items. For example, family photos are highly personal belongings, and pet supplies are not something every prospective buyer would have in their home. In a sense, you want to make the house look lived-in and livable, but in a way that is open to interpretation. Perhaps neutral art prints could take the place of large family photos, for instance.

3. Decorate

To give the house a more home-like appearance, do take the initiative to do some interior decorating. Again, minimalistic is vital, and opt for neutrality as much as possible. Try removing everything from the bedrooms except for the most critical pieces of furniture and adding a few decorative elements, such as a vase of flowers on the dresser, some complimentary throw pillows, and a figurine perched on a nightstand.

4. Distinguish

Every home has its unique selling points or points that are bound to capture the attention of a prospective buyer. A few examples could be:

• A large picture window in the dining or living room
• A recently remodeled master bathroom
• A picturesque stairway
• A lovely outdoor living space

Take a good, critical look at your home. First, consider the aspects a buyer could find most desirable and then truly distinguish those areas. For instance, if you are sure the stairway will be a significant selling point, put a little extra effort into making that area as attractive as possible.

5. Determine

What in and around the house could be a turnoff in the eyes of a buyer? While you may not have the funds to fix every flaw or problem, taking steps to improve or correct any significant problems will always mean you see better results when you list the house for sale. First, determine what problems could be most hindering. Maybe you have a few rooms that desperately need to be painted or carpet in one area that should be cleaned. Odd paint colors and dirty rugs happen to be two of the biggest turnoffs for home buyers.

Sold! Need Help with the Move?

With the best dedication to preparing your home before you list it on the market, you will likely be ready to move in no time at all. However, when your home sells and you are making your way to your new place, be sure to reach out to residential movers who can help you with the transition.

Moving with pets adds a layer of complication — but sometimes houseplants are even trickier.

Houseplants need a specific environment to survive. Moving changes it.

There are several ways you can minimize damage to your houseplants as you pack up and move. Here are a few things you can try.

Check Health Before the Move

Travel tends to be harder on plants, especially those that live in a specific environment indoors. You want them in their best health before transportation.

A few months before the move, check your plants’ general condition. If you need to move them to new pots or it’s time to prune them, do it well in advance.

Treat for pests, and be sure to avoid overwatering and underwatering. That way, your plant will be able to handle the stress of moving better.

Research Transportation Options

Moving plants isn’t always as simple as how to get them there. In addition, you might complementary face quarantine requirements and other state guidelines to prevent the spread of pests or diseases.

In addition, moving companies often won’t move plants if the distance is more than 150 miles or across state lines.

It doesn’t mean that you can’t bring your plants with you, just that you need to plan ahead. Consider putting your plants in commercial soil a couple of months ahead of time to minimize most problems.

Protect From Sun

Most houseplants prefer indirect lighting at most. However, putting them into the backseat of your car can expose them to bright, direct light and heat.

You might consider buying a pre-made shade for your plant. That way, you can keep them in a car without exposing them to direct light.

If you have many plants to move, you might need to rig a portable plant screen. Just make sure that it doesn’t block your visibility while you drive.

Avoid Drafts

Your plants like regular air circulation, but you’ll need to control it during transit. Just like heat can burn a houseplant, drafts can cause it to wilt.

And this isn’t just a problem that comes up during cold seasons. For example, ifHowever, putting you blast the air conditioning while you drive, your plants might react to it.

Think about the placement of your plants before loading. Turn vents away from the plant so that the air reaches it indirectly. Try to stick to a moderate temperature to avoid running it full-blast the whole way.

Transport Quickly

No matter how carefully you move your houseplants, they’ll probably deal with some stress. Many species can bounce back, even if they are almost dead. You should research in advance to rehome a variety that isn’t likely to make it.

Trips less than 24 hours are best. If you’re planning to take a road trip as part of your move, you might want to make other arrangements for the plants. Gift them to friends or family.

And once you arrive, be sure to set up a healthy environment for the plants on the first day. They can get back to health faster that way.

Moving On

Houseplants can survive a move if you plan ahead and take care. To discover your options for a safe and healthy move, contact us for a quote.

Many advice guides tell you how to get rid of items you don’t use before a move. That doesn’t apply to everything, though.

Sometimes you have things you don’t (or can’t) use, but you still want to keep. And you need an excellent way to pack them.

These tips will make it easier to determine what you need to keep and preserve them for travel.

Consider Your Moving Options

When you’re moving high-value or irreplaceable items, it’s a good idea to think about how to transport them. Sometimes you want to put them on the truck. Sometimes you don’t.

If you’re driving separately, you may want to consider moving some of the items with you. Make sure to leave space for your essentials and luggage.

This approach works well for items that are hard to pack, too. If you can’t box it or wrap it, it’s probably best to keep it with you.

Change the Box

If you’ve already got your items in a box, it’s time to evaluate the container. The stuff sitting in the attic or basement for five years might pick up pests or water damage.

The ideal containers for precious items, especially old documents, will minimize fading or dust collection. Avoid cardboard unless you’re putting an archive-quality container inside it.

Remember to label the box as fragile or essential. That way, you’ll be able to find it right away on moving day.

Clean and Appraise Items

If you don’t know how to clean the items, you may want to hire a restorer to take care of them. Dust accumulation can damage collectibles, but the wrong cleaning approaches could be worse.

As a general rule, take a light touch to clean. A soft brush can remove dirt without chipping paint.

Before you load them up, consider asking a professional to appraise them. Collections change in value all the time. The amount they can go up or down within a few years might surprise you.

Protect Your Collections

The last thing you want is a broken item. It happens sometimes, but you should try to avoid it.

Using bubble wrap and packing paper can only go so far. If it’s worth a lot of money, you might want to invest in custom foam packaging to keep everything in place. Or ask your moving company if they have a costume crating service to protect it.

This goes for anything made out of porcelain or glass or items that are particularly old or fragile. Spending a little now is a lot easier than paying for expensive repair or restoration later.

Think About What You Want to Keep

When you’re moving boxes from one house to another, it’s wise to think about what you’re keeping and why. Preserving a valuable collection you love is one thing. Hanging onto heirlooms that you don’t like is another.

Instead of holding onto every collection, consider what you like and use. Other family members might delight in Grandma’s quilts, even if you don’t. In some cases, selling it is also a reasonable choice.

Moving With Care

Protecting your valuables is a big part of moving. Finding a good moving company is another. To learn more about our services, contact us today.

The moving process can be particularly difficult for adults. It can be equally trying on kids as well. According to Psychology Today, kids like to be around all familiar and comfortable things. Moving means leaving all of that behind, which is why some kids are resistant to moving.

For many, the idea of packing up their kids’ room can be a daunting task. Packing a kids’ room can be challenging because many toys, clothes, and books need organizing and packing. Here are some tips to help pack up your kids’ room in an organized and stress-free manner:

Create a Plan

Create a plan to help ensure a smooth move. Your goal should include details on how to tackle the packing of your kids’ room. Make a detailed checklist of what to pack, what to donate, supplies needed, and what items need to be left out.

Get the Kids Involved

Getting kids involved in the moving process may help ease the stress and help get kids excited for your upcoming move. Kids can help with gathering their belongings. Additionally, they can help organize and pack the items they want to take to their new home.

Work on Sorting and Decluttering

Take time to go through all the kids’ toys, books, games, clothes, etc., before packing it all up. Organize items by type to make packing and unpacking seem more organized. Work on decluttering items by getting rid of games with missing pieces, broken toys, and clothes that no longer fit.

Sorting and decluttering a room is an excellent opportunity to get the kids involved. Have them give you a tour of their room, pointing out items they do not mind donating to a local charity. Remind and encourage kids, letting them know it is okay to get rid of things before moving.

Create an Essentials Box

An essentials box is where you will place all the items your kids will need during the move. The box may include blankets, some toys, a few books, and things kids use daily. The essentials box will be placed in the car or easily accessible by the kids during the moving process.

Tips for Packing

Sort through your child’s books and determine which ones are still age-appropriate and worth packing. Use soft packing paper to wrap valuable books individually. To prevent damage, avoid placing books in the box with their spine up facing you.

Before packing:

1. Check all board games to ensure all the pieces are there.
2. Place pieces or small items in plastic bags so they don’t get lost.
3. Use soft wrapping paper or bubble wrap to wrap up delicate toys, such as action figurines and LEGO creations.

For clothes, eliminate any that don’t fit or that you know they will no longer wear. Fold clothes neatly and place them in a clean cardboard box—Wrap shoes in packing paper or inside zip-locking bags.

Packing for Your Move

Moves are stressful, especially when kids are involved. We can help take a little of the stress off your upcoming move. Contact us today to discover how we can help.

Much planning and forethought go into preparing your home for a move. However, the time right after your professional movers get your belongings to your new place can be just as important. 

After the moving truck pulls away and you prepare to get life started in your new home, there are a few golden rules to remember about unpacking that can simplify the process.

1. Reserve time for unpacking.

Most people take off work to prepare for their move but don’t forget you will also need time after getting where you are going. Unpacking and getting your house in order can take a lot of time—sometimes even more time than packing. Most people don’t empty their very last box after moving until 182 days after they arrive. This significant amount of time is proof of just how long unpacking can take and how many people don’t allocate enough time after the move.

Making time for unpacking is essential. Even though you can delay it — you are still going to need to tackle it. The faster you get your boxes unpacked, your things in their places, and your house in working order, the quicker your new place will feel like home.

2. Work on setting up essential rooms first.

While looking at a house full of boxes can seem a little overwhelming, setting up your essential spaces first can put your mind at ease and make life easier. Consider which rooms your family relies on the most. A few examples include the kitchen — because this is where you prepare most of your meals —  or the bathroom because everyone needs a place to shower and handle personal grooming.

Of course, what you consider essential can vary depending on your household dynamics. For instance, if you work from home, you may need to prioritize your home office over some other areas. Most people can get by just fine if they don’t unpack their bedroom completely or their living room is just a sofa and a bunch of boxes for a few days.

3. Unpack room by room after you complete the primary spaces.

Once you have your essential items unpacked and in place, you are free to work on whatever part of the home you prefer. While you can pick pretty much any room, try to limit your unpacking efforts to one room at a time. Many people look at pulling one thing from one box and something else from another to go in another room as multitasking. For example, maybe you pull towels from bathroom boxes and intend to drop a few items off in the kitchen along the way.

Even though this form of multitasking can seem more productive, research has shown that multitasking is a bit of a myth. In other words, if you are trying to unpack more than one room at a time, you can end up wasting more time than you realize by moving from room to room and refocusing your attention repeatedly.

Trust Professional Residential Movers for Your Next Move

All aspects of a move can mean a lot of work for you and your family, but enlisting the help of a residential moving company can genuinely help. If you are in the process of planning your household move, contact us for a free moving quote today.