move out cleanup

How To Do A Quick Move Out Cleanup And Get Your Security Deposit Back

Posted by & filed under After the move.

The seemingly endless process of packing and moving is finally over, but you aren’t done. Back at your old place there are dust bunnies, kitchen grease and who knows what that might have been lurking underneath and behind your furniture. It’s time to do your move out cleanup.

Depending on your budget, doing your move out cleaning can be as quick as picking up the phone and ordering a cleaning service, but that can be costly. If you want to do it yourself, fortunately, there are quick tips.

Best ways to do a move out cleanup

While a move out cleanup might look daunting, it’s not that bad if you are organized. Arm yourself with sanitizing wipes, a good floor cleaner,

1. Wipe down doors, doorknobs and switch plates.

A sanitizing wipe or a paper towel with an all-purpose cleanser is all you need.

2. Clean light fixtures and make sure all bulbs work

A quick wipe with a window cleaner and a paper towel should be all you need. If there are insects in the light fixtures, throw them away then wipe down the covers.

3. Walls and baseboards

Run a wet rag along all baseboards. Dust the walls and if there are marks, wipe them with an all purpose cleaner, but test the paint in a tiny corner first. If a cleaner damages the paint, lightly scrub with a magic eraser.

Blinds

If your home has blinds, vacuum them first. If there is still dirt, clean them with a mixture of vinegar and water. Clean one side of each slat and then turn the slat over and clean the other. Make sure all slats line up before you finish.

Patch holes

If you have nail holes in the wall, patch them with putty and paint over it.

Ceiling fan

Ceiling fans gather a lot of dust. You should clean them weekly, but make sure that they are thoroughly wiped down with a damp cloth after the move.

Stove and oven

If you have an automatic oven cleaner, begin that cycle right after the movers leave. If you do not have an automatic oven cleaner, use a spray cleaner. Make sure you wipe out any residue from the oven after it soaks. Wipe down the top of the stove. If there is built on grease, a solution of vinegar and baking soda should do the trick. If you have an electric stove, you may need to replace the drip pans. They are inexpensive and can be found at any hardware store. You should also clean your stove hood and underneath the oven drawer.

Counters

Wipe them thoroughly. Again, if there’s grease, use the vinegar/baking soda solution.

Cupboards and drawers

Remove all lining paper, wipe them down and reline the shelves and drawers.

Refrigerator

Clean all glass shelves with a window cleaner. Clean drawers in the sink. Thoroughly dry before putting back in the refrigerator. Wipe down the door. Be sure to wipe down the top of your refrigerator.

Windows

Clean all windows with a window cleaner or vinegar and water. Wipe down the window sills.

Bathtub or shower

The bathtub can be one of the most difficult things to clean. Use a strong bathtub cleaner, a magic eraser and a little elbow grease. Use a squeegee to dry it and ensure there are no streaks. Shine the faucet with a window cleaner and a paper towel.

Toilet

Wipe all around the toilet, under the seat and under the lid.

Sink

If the sink has hard water buildup, clean it like you did the bathtub. Wipe it thoroughly and shine the faucet.

Floors

Vacuum all carpet. Spot clean or rent a cleaner if necessary. Use a hardwood floor cleaner on hardwoods and a tile cleaner on the rest.

Viola! You’re done!

Featured image via Pixabay.

Is Famous Route 66 All It’s Made Out To Be?

Posted by & filed under Long-Distance Moving.

If you’re moving cross country, and you have the time, make it a road trip. If you’re moving east, you can try the famous Route 66, legendary home of all things Americana. Is Route really all it’s cracked up to be, though?

Route 66 is among the oldest highways in the United States. It’s route takes you from just south of Los Angeles, through the Southwest and into Chicago.

Author John Steinbeck famously traveled Route 66 and coined its nickname, “the mother road.”

Not everything about Route 66 is romantic. A portion of it in Missouri was used during the forced Indian migration, in which thousands of Native Americans died, called the Trail of Tears. In another shameful reminder of our history, before the Civil Rights Act, many businesses along Route 66 discriminated against African-Americans.

Despite its checkered past, Route 66 is a nostalgic peek at an America of the past.

Here are some of the must-see sights along Route 66

California

Image courtesy of Mark Stephenson/Flickr

Route 66 is famous for its ghost towns. While most of them are further east, Calico is a ghost town right here in California.

Calico is located just north of Dagget and like so many California towns, it dates back to the Gold Rush. You can even tour a real mine. Unlike many of the Gold Rush towns in California, though, it died after the rush ended.

Arizona

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

Arizona is full of sights along Route 66, but for a real glimpse of history — millions of years of history — stop by the Petrified Forest National Park, where dinosaurs roamed a mere 225 million years ago. While California has its redwoods, prehistoric Arizona had conifers that grew to 200 feet tall. That’s about the height of Los Angeles’ Cambria Hotel.

New Mexico

Image via Sylvain L/Flickr Creative Commons 2.0

For a taste of more recent history, stop by the 1940s era Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico. They have a teepee shaped souvenir stand and a sombrero shaped restaurant. They even have rotary dial phones in the rooms.

Texas

Image via Wikimedia

Not surprisingly, the longest stretch of Route 66 is through Texas. Fill your tank at the original Phillips 66 in McLean, which looks more like a Tudor-style house than a gas station. For a look at cars past, visit the famous Cadillac Ranch in Bushland. Cadillac Ranch is an outdoor art installation showing 10 Cadillacs half buried in the dirt, wit their tailfins in the air for the world to see.

Oklahoma

As you’re passing through Oklahoma, be sure to stop by the National Route 66 & Transportation Museum in Elk City. It will tell you about all of the attractions behind and in front of you.

Kansas

You’ve visited the museum, now it’s time to see the ultimate Route 66 store. Nelson’s Old Riverton Store on the Oklahoma/Kansas star line. The owners have, for the most part, honored the store’s history. Its interior has barely changed since 1925. It’s still a grocery store/deli, and we know you’ll be hungry by that point.

Missouri

Image via Wikimedia

One of the absolute must-see places along Route 66 are the Meramec Caverns in Missouri. Take a tour of the limestone caves.

Illinois

Image via Wikimedia

Illinois may be one of the least interesting stretches of Route 66, but you can find the waterpower shaped like a ketchup bottle.

Six Things You ALWAYS Need To Tell Your Mover About In Advance

Posted by & filed under News.

Moving seems like one of the most straightforward businesses, and in many ways it is. Big problems can occur, though, when movers aren’t prepared. Any decent mover will be prepared for most situations. Trucks should be stocked with boxes of all sizes, blankets, tape, a ramp, dollies, etc. Things get a bit more dicey, though, when movers don’t know about a few items in advance.

1. Pianos

A piano might seem like just another piece of furniture, but pianos require special handling. If your mover knows in advance, he might arrange for a piano board and potentially an additional mover or two.

2. Safes

If you have a safe in your house that weighs more than most people, let your mover know. As with pianos, safes often require special moving boards and sometimes an extra crew member.

3. Stairs

A single flight of stairs, or perhaps even two, might not be such a big deal, but more than that and the mover has to know. If the mover isn’t prepared for stairs, the move could end up taking much longer, costing more money and there could be damages.

4. Long Carries

5. Time Restrictions

If you live in an apartment or in a community with a homeowner’s association, there might be time restrictions on your move. If possible, it’s best to arrange your move to start in the morning. Afternoon moves are far more difficult to precisely schedule because you may have to wait for movers to finish up their morning job. Also, you should check with your property manager to make sure you don’t have to reserve a particular date. It’s always best to get about three time options and coordinate one of those three with the movers.

6. Building Insurance Requirements

Every licensed mover must carry liability insurance in case of damage to driveways or buildings. Many apartment buildings require written proof called a Certificate of Insurance. Any mover should be able to supply the proof.

Featured image via Health.mil.

Should You Rent Or Buy When Moving Into A New Home?

Posted by & filed under Home Buying.

Should you rent or buy?

Moving into a new home in a new town might seem risky. Deciding whether to rent or buy might seem even riskier. Everything is an unknown, and while you might have the time to do your due diligence if you’re buying in the neighborhood, it can be tough when you’re hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away.

In the vast majority of circumstances, it’s better to rent than buy before you get your footing in a new city or state. Renting before hand gives you the opportunity to find out what neighborhoods you really like and you won’t be under such pressure to buy the first home you see.

There are exceptions when deciding whether to rent or buy

There are times, though, when buying might be a better alternative, even in a brand new city.

1. You have to reinvest

If you sold your old home and you made a considerable amount of capital gains (more than $250,000 for someone filing singly and $500,000 for someone filing jointly), you have only 45 days to reinvest that money before being hit with capital gains taxes. The good news is, you don’t have to reinvest it in a home. Talk to a tax professional about acceptable mutual funds or IRAs, or if perhaps you can roll it into your 401k.

2. You already know the area

If you grew up there, or if you have family there, you might be comfortable enough in a city to know exactly where you want to live. In that case, go ahead and buy. Be aware, though, that if you’ve spent a lot of time in a city as a tourist or as a business traveler, you probably haven’t gotten a good feel for what it’s like to live there. For example, you might love a particular neighborhood, but the schools aren’t quite up to par or the grocery stores aren’t that good. On the other hand, there might be a neighborhood you don’t even know about that suits all your needs.

3. It’s a buyer’s market

It seems forever since it’s been a buyer’s market, but real estate is cyclical. Just because it’s expensive right now doesn’t mean it will be expensive in two years. A temporary rental could buy you the time to find an affordable home, and one that you love. If it’s a buyer’s market right now, though, then by all means, buy.

4. You found the perfect house

If you find your dream house and you’ve researched the neighborhood (go there at night, as well as during the day, ask neighbors about their experiences, look at parking, find good schools, examine utilities), and you have a good deal, then by all means, buy it.

Overall, the decision over whether to rent of buy is deeply personal. Sometimes, you have to take a leap of faith. Other times, it pays to wait.

Featured image via Joint Base Langley-Eustis

How To Pack A Wardrobe Box And A Few Things You May Not Have Thought Of

Posted by & filed under Packing.

Wardrobe boxes, which are roughly four feet high and two feet wide, can hold a lot of stuff and movers often loan you them for free.

When wardrobe boxes are delivered to you, they are typically flat and not quite as intuitive as other boxes you might receive. The size can make them rather unwieldy, but in a few short minutes, you’ll have one of the most versatile boxes you have.

1. Turn the box over and tape the bottom.

2. Turn it back upright. You’ll see that one side has a fold just above the middle of the box. This is the front and it’s designed to make it more convenient for loading and unloading. Pull that flap down. O

3. Insert the included metal bar into the two slots on the sides of the box.

4. Transfer clothes from your closet to the box.

Wardrobe boxes aren’t just for your wardrobe

The large size makes wardrobe boxes particularly convenient for light items, like bed linens or bulky sweaters. They can also be used to create makeshift crates for odd shaped items like lamps or small, delicate chairs or other furniture. Just be sure that when you pack anything fragile, you include enough packing material so there is no movement inside the box.

Even if you are using your wardrobes for their intended purpose, put bed linens and even some shoes in the bottom.

Never overpack a wardrobe box, though. A box, no matter the size, should never weigh more than 50 pounds. That’s why book boxes are small. Wardrobe boxes are wonderful packing tools, and if kept light, they can make packing much quicker and keep your clothes from wrinkling. They can also help you save some space if you are moving long-distance and are being charged based on space used.

Featured image via ULine.

This Video Tells You Pretty Much Everything You Need To Know About Apartment Rentals (VIDEO)

Posted by & filed under Getting Ready to Move, Packing.

Becky Stern isn’t a Los Angeles resident and she doesn’t normally talk ab out moving, but she is a video blogger who has a lot of experience with renting in a super competitive market (New York). Her video on renting in New York has so much valuable information, even for California, that it’s certainly worth seven minutes of your time.

In the video, Becky (assuming we can call her by her first name) recommends doing your research and figuring out where you can compromise, before viewing apartments.

While her video is specifically about New York, she makes the point that you don’t have to live right in the center of everything. There is no shame in living in a fabulous place in say, Oakland, when the alternative is a dump in San Francisco.

One thing we have in common with New York is that the real estate market moves very fast. Becky recommends bringing looking no more than three months in advance and being prepared with all of your necessary paperwork before hand. If you are moving from out of town, she recommends a visit, or in worst case scenario, having a trusted friend look on your behalf (warning, I once did this and I ended up with a less than ideal apartment).

Becky’s video goes into incredible detail, down to recommending that you check the water pressure and whether the sink has a sprayer. She even tells viewers to research the building against code violations and complaints. You’ll probably have to Google it for your chosen city, but here it is for San Francisco.

Once you’ve secured your ideal apartment, Becky even has great tips for packing and moving. She (as do we) recommends packing early and keeping multiple boxes going at once so you can pack different types of items as you come across them. For example, a bookshelf might contain books and breakables. A closet might have clothing and knick-knacks. She also recommends making a color-coded floor plan to help the movers put everything in the right location.

Listen here. You’ll be better prepared.

Featured image via Wikimedia.

How To Buy A Home In A Super Competitive Market

Posted by & filed under Home Buying.

If you’re in the market for a home and you don’t have a lot of cash, you might be out of luck. For most people, housing in the Greater Los Angeles area is all but unaffordable. In Los Angeles, the median home price is about $570,000 and the bidding wars are alive and well.

If you do it right, it is still possible to win a bidding war, but be prepared to make some compromises.

Get pre-approved

Many Realtors won’t even show you homes without a pre-approval letter in your hand. It shows that a mortgage broker has checked your credit and made sure you will qualify for a home loan. If you are pre-approved for $500,000, though, don’t look at houses worth $600,000 unless you have a hefty downpayment. You might even avoid going above $400,000, in anticipation of a bidding war.

Be prepared to compromise

We, like pretty much everyone else who’s ever begun the house hunting journey, had a long list of “must haves.” We had to have three bedrooms, at least two baths, a yard for our dogs, a single story for our elderly dog, must be move in ready and in a great neighborhood. While all of that might exist, we were quickly brought down to earth when we learned that none of that was available in our price range. Instead we settled on a split-level foreclosure, with two bedrooms and a bonus room, 1.5 baths, a yard and in an up and coming neighborhood. While it was technically move in ready, the kitchen is in serious need of a remodel and there are other issues we need to address.

Look for “good bones” and a good location. You can change a kitchen and in many cases add a bathroom, but you can’t move a home.

Look outside your target area

Sure, you want that great school district, or perhaps you want to be close to hiking trails or you want to walk to all your favorite haunts. The problem is, so does everyone else, including people who have a lot more money than you. There is a new exodus to the suburbs, and not because people want to escape the city. It’s because that’s where housing is more affordable. You might even find yourself in good company.

“More than ever millennial buyers are willing to look in the suburbs in order to get a more updated home and more space,” says Gabriela Venegas, an LA-based Keller Williams realtor at the Carrasco Group. “I’ve had several clients start their search for condos on the Westside, only to eventually decide that a single family home in the Valley is a better fit for them and makes more financial sense. They are willing to make the sacrifice of having a longer commute in order to get into the fast moving real estate market before they are priced out.”

Source: LA Curbed

Don’t tie up all your hopes in one house

Pixabay.

How To Find The Best Security For Your New Home

Posted by & filed under Home Buying, Home Improvement.

If you’re anything like me, moving into a new home can mean several sleepless nights. Every sound is new. Every flickering light, every shadow, can mean something scary.

After a few nights, of course, I get used to my new surroundings, but still, I sleep better knowing my home is secured and there are more options available than ever. The biggest problem for many new homeowners, is how to choose the right security system.

Make it natural

Security systems don’t have to be high tech. In fact, one of the best deterrents is landscaping, as long as it’s done right.

Bad guys can hide behind bushes, so keep them away from your house, unless they are thorny. A few well-placed rose bushes or native California fuchsia is both beautiful and a great “keep out” sign.

Locks

Nothing beats a good set of locks. Buy the strongest deadbolts you can find and always lock them, even while you are home. You should also install locks on your windows, and use them.

Security doors and windows

The days of bars on the doors and windows may not be completely gone for up and coming neighborhoods, but there are many more esthetically pleasing alternatives. Heavy duty security doors and reinforced windows can offer the same amount of security, but are a lot better looking.

Fences

Secure your backyard with a heavy iron gate and a tall fence.

A dog

34% of convicted burglars said they would think twice before entering a home with a barking dog.

Motion detector lights

The last thing a burglar wants is to be seen. Motion detector lights will illuminate the way for passers by and discourage bad guys by shining a literal spotlight on them.

An alarm system

Pixabay.

How To Help Your Children Make Friends At Their New School

Posted by & filed under Long-Distance Moving.

Moving is tough enough for adults, but when children are thrown into the mix, they often feel like they have no control, and worse, they feel like they are losing their friends. Fortunately, there are ways you can help your children make friends at their new schools.

Talk to them

Encourage your children to take their time. They can make a mental list of the types of qualities they are looking for in a friend. Perhaps they are looking for someone who’s funny or perhaps they are looking for kindness. Whatever they’re looking for, have them observe first before introducing themselves. Advise them not to talk about their old home too often. Other children won’t be able to relate and it will sound to them as if your child is insulting their home city.

Have them bring goodies

Treats or trinkets can go a long way toward making friends. Be cautious, though. Ask the teacher about school rules and potential food allergies.

Join the PTA

Perhaps you can get to know some of your children’s classmates through their parents. Set up playdates or throw a party.

Encourage extracurriculars

Both children and adults have an easier time bonding with people if they have things in common. Ballet class, music, art, soccer or debate club is an excellent way to meet people who share common interests. Find out what truly interests your children.

Sit with the lonely kids

There are always those kids in the cafeteria with empty seats next to them. It’s okay to join them. It won’t scar your child’s popularity for the remainder of his or her school career. They might even make some good friends.

If your children have a hard time making friends, don’t pressure them. They’ll make friends on their own time.

Featured image via Max Pixel.

Five Things That Movers Can’t Do

Posted by & filed under News.

When people hire a mover, especially if they are paying for full packing and unpacking services, they expect full service. They expect that each and every item will be taken care of without much thought on the part of the client. They’re right, to a point. Unfortunately, though, there are some things that a mover, at least without help, cannot do.

What are the things movers can’t do?

1. Disconnect or reconnect gas appliances

In many cases, especially in California, appliances move with the customers. If any of those appliances are gas powered, though, a plumber is required. It’s simply not safe for movers to be disconnecting or reconnecting gas lines.

2. Tune pianos

This one might seem sort of obvious. Anyone who owns a piano knows that piano tuning is a finely honed skill. You’d be surprised, though, at the number of people who assume that a piano will be tuned exactly as it was before it was moved. While most movers are skilled at moving pianos, and are extremely careful at making sure the piano remains upright at all times, changes in environment and the act of moving can put a piano out of tune. It’s recommended that you hire a piano tuner for after the move.

3. Decide what is trash and what is treasure

On more than one occasion, I’ve heard customers complain that their movers moved trash. While that may seem wasteful (no pun intended), it’s just movers doing their jobs. Without proper instruction, there’s no way for them to know if something is actually trash or may be something valuable to you. It’s not unheard of for people to hide valuables in the bottoms of trashcans.

Certainly, literal trash is an extreme example, but it’s never a mover’s job to determine what is worth moving and what is not. That’s why we always advise supervision and sticky notes are always helpful.

4. Move living things

Most customers understand that pets (even fish and reptiles) shouldn’t be moved in moving trucks, but for the very same reasons, it’s also a bad idea to move plants. Moving trucks are hot and the air is stale. They also take up a lot of space, since it’s impossible to stack plants. If you’re moving across town, that might be one thing, but if you’re moving across country, you want to bring all your living things in your car.

<2h>5. Hoist

If an item was too big to fit into your home through the door, there’s a good chance it was hoisted in. Hoisting can require ropes or even a crane, depending on the difficulty. While some movers might hoist with ropes, very few have cranes. For that, you’d need to hire a company that specializes specifically in hoisting and it can add hundreds if not thousands to the cost of the move.

While it’s true that moving companies can’t do everything, you’ll find that most have a wealth of information. They have connections with professionals who can do nearly everything they can’t.

Featured image via Wikimedia.