Provided By Trulia
Transporting belongings from one home to another is a big task that's often fraught with anxiety, even when a move is efficiently planned and coordinated. Follow these tips from Trulia to make your next move as stress-free as possible:
Get recommendations
Ask for the names of reputable and reliable moving companies from friends, co-workers and family. Inquire about their experiences, and note what worked and didn't work, as well as how much they paid. Seek out their advice on how to make your move a smooth one.
Check background
If you are ready to move and find your perfect home give us a call at 972.772.7000 or email us at frontdesk552@kw.com.
For movers you are considering, check whether each is a licensed member of the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA), a trade group.
AMSA has a ProMover service in which they've checked the credentials of all the movers registered with their program. You can search for movers by moving date and your to and from locations on the AMSA website.
Referral websites like Yelp and Angie's List (subscription required) can also help you find reputable movers.
Verify whether there have been any complaints filed against the moving company with the Better Business Bureau.
Seek estimates
Get "not to exceed" estimates -- binding estimates that cap how much you'll be charged -- from movers. Ask for "in-home" estimates, as they are more accurate than ones conducted over the phone.
Watch for hidden fees. Know what you'll be expected to pay and what services will be covered -- some movers charge by weight and distance, while others charge by the number of man hours it'll take to transport your stuff.
The more you own, the more you most likely will be charged; if you ask that your belongings be boxed for you, that will come at an extra cost.
Think insurance
Take an inventory and dollar amount of the belongings you're moving and check what kind and how much liability coverage the mover provides.
Is it enough to cover the value of the belongings? Research the procedures for submitting a claim with each company in the event something happens.
Your homeowner's insurance may cover some of your belongings' value -- check your policy.
Know the rules
If you are being relocated by your employer, check with their moving policy to understand their rules and regulations and exactly what part of the bill will be footed by them.
Reduce
Donate or sell as much stuff as you can -- it may lessen the cost of your move and will make packing and unpacking easier. Try hosting a garage sale, or selling your items online through websites like Ebay or Craigslist. The Vietnam Veterans of America offers a great pick-up service for donated items, and will come right to your door. Other charities offer similar services.
Plan ahead
Book a mover six to eight weeks before your move. Plan which items will go where and pack by room. Color code the boxes and wrap fragile items in crumpled paper or bubble wrap before boxing, placing them on top. Mark "fragile" in bold letters on boxes with breakable items. Seal the boxes well -- so nothing may fall out while being transported and to protect the items should they be placed in professional storage -- or your basement.
Set aside essential items you'll need right away (toiletries, clothing, etc.) and move them yourself so they can be easily relocated the day of your move. It's also a good idea to move important documents (birth certificates, bank records, closing papers, etc.) and valuable jewelry yourself so you won't loose track of them.
Keep in touch
Make a list of all those who need to know of your move -- friends, family, utilities, businesses and the United States Postal Service -- and give them your new contact information and the date that it will be in effect.
Showing posts with label buying. Show all posts
Showing posts with label buying. Show all posts
Friday, May 6, 2011
Friday, March 27, 2009
Step 4: Look at Homes
10 Steps to Home Ownership
Millions of new and existing homes are sold each year. There's no shortage of housing options, but with so many choices the challenge becomes finding the property which best meets your needs.
The housing market is complicated because the stock of homes for sale is always in flux. If it were possible to have a complete list of every home for sale at this very moment in a given community, such a list would become obsolete within seconds as new homes become available and properties now for sale are put under contract.
In effect, buyers are looking at a moving target in a marketplace that is never static. Because of this, it is important to know as much as possible about the choices in preferred markets, and the way to do that is by working closely with a local REALTOR® who has a good lay of the land.
What are you looking for?A home is more than just a collection of bedrooms and bathrooms. Several properties -- each with four bedrooms, three baths, and the same price -- may well represent radically different designs, commuting distances, lot sizes, tax costs, interior dimensions, and exterior finishes.
Each of us is different and so it's important to list the features and benefits you want in a home. Consider such things as pricing, location, size, amenities (extras such as a pool or extra-large kitchen) and design (one floor or two, colonial or modern, etc.).
Next, it's important to consider your priorities. If you can't get a home at your price with all the features you want, then what features are most important? For instance, would you trade fewer bedrooms for a larger kitchen? A longer commute for a bigger lot and lower cost?
Lastly, consider your needs in several years. If you'll need a larger home, maybe now is the time to buy a bigger house rather than moving or expanding in the future. If you expect your income to increase, perhaps you should consider a more expensive home financed with a loan program where monthly payments increase in the future.
Where should you look?All neighborhoods and communities have a special nature that gives them identity and value. One community may be well known for historic homes while another offers both suburban living as well as easy access to downtown office areas.
REALTOR.com® offers millions of homes online. By any standard, it's the largest source for property information, online or off. You can look at homes to contact listing brokers, and you can also search Realtor.com® to find brokers who offer buyer representation services.
How do you find a house?Some buyers like to search REALTOR.com® by looking at listings on the basis of location or price; others prefer to have local REALTORS® suggest properties; and many buyers prefer both approaches.
Regardless of your choice, it's important to target your search. By using basic measures such as general location and affordability, you can refine your search and focus on homes that offer the most desirable features.
As a guide, you should maintain a file with information on each of the homes you like. You can print out listing pages from REALTOR.com® and then make notes for each one -- what you like, questions, REALTOR® contact data, etc.
What do YOU look for when buying a house? Leave me a comment...
From realtor.com
Millions of new and existing homes are sold each year. There's no shortage of housing options, but with so many choices the challenge becomes finding the property which best meets your needs.
The housing market is complicated because the stock of homes for sale is always in flux. If it were possible to have a complete list of every home for sale at this very moment in a given community, such a list would become obsolete within seconds as new homes become available and properties now for sale are put under contract.
In effect, buyers are looking at a moving target in a marketplace that is never static. Because of this, it is important to know as much as possible about the choices in preferred markets, and the way to do that is by working closely with a local REALTOR® who has a good lay of the land.
What are you looking for?A home is more than just a collection of bedrooms and bathrooms. Several properties -- each with four bedrooms, three baths, and the same price -- may well represent radically different designs, commuting distances, lot sizes, tax costs, interior dimensions, and exterior finishes.
Each of us is different and so it's important to list the features and benefits you want in a home. Consider such things as pricing, location, size, amenities (extras such as a pool or extra-large kitchen) and design (one floor or two, colonial or modern, etc.).
Next, it's important to consider your priorities. If you can't get a home at your price with all the features you want, then what features are most important? For instance, would you trade fewer bedrooms for a larger kitchen? A longer commute for a bigger lot and lower cost?
Lastly, consider your needs in several years. If you'll need a larger home, maybe now is the time to buy a bigger house rather than moving or expanding in the future. If you expect your income to increase, perhaps you should consider a more expensive home financed with a loan program where monthly payments increase in the future.
Where should you look?All neighborhoods and communities have a special nature that gives them identity and value. One community may be well known for historic homes while another offers both suburban living as well as easy access to downtown office areas.
REALTOR.com® offers millions of homes online. By any standard, it's the largest source for property information, online or off. You can look at homes to contact listing brokers, and you can also search Realtor.com® to find brokers who offer buyer representation services.
How do you find a house?Some buyers like to search REALTOR.com® by looking at listings on the basis of location or price; others prefer to have local REALTORS® suggest properties; and many buyers prefer both approaches.
Regardless of your choice, it's important to target your search. By using basic measures such as general location and affordability, you can refine your search and focus on homes that offer the most desirable features.
As a guide, you should maintain a file with information on each of the homes you like. You can print out listing pages from REALTOR.com® and then make notes for each one -- what you like, questions, REALTOR® contact data, etc.
What do YOU look for when buying a house? Leave me a comment...
From realtor.com
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