How To Make Packing A Fun Game For Your Children

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Moving is always a lot of work but it’s even more-so when you have children. Believe it or not, though, there are ways to encourage your children to help, and they might even have fun.

How to make moving fun for children

  1. Arm yourself with lots and lots of colorful sticky notes

    Ask your children what they love and don’t love about their current room, what are they too grown up for now? Ask them to color-code their items. Green could mean keep, red could mean donate and blue could mean not sure. let them pick the colors. You may find that they feel they are growing out of a lot of their toys, they just haven’t gotten around to telling you.

  2. Take pictures of their new rooms

    Have them make a drawing of where they would like to put their furniture and larger toys. Ask them where they would hang pictures. It will give them some ownership of the rooms before you even move in.

  3. Make a donation pile

    Even donating can be fun and interactive for children. Explain that their old toys and clothes will go to a younger child who can’t afford as many nice things. Take your children to the thrift store, if you drop off, and tell them you’ll go back after the move, to see what they might want.

  4. Let them pack

    While this might seem like a really bad idea, kids can’t go too wrong packing books, clothing and toys. All you need to do is put together the boxes, let them know what types of things go into what boxes (books in small, book boxes, clothing and toys in medium boxes). Even if they pack just one box a day each, they’ll take pride in the fact that they are helping.

  5. Take them shopping after the move

    We know that there are a lot of costs involved in moving, so major shopping sprees might be out, but you can still take them thrift shopping, or just let them pick out one small item for their new rooms.

Can The Right Paint Color Add Value To Your Home?

Posted by & filed under Home Improvement.

You can add more than $5,000 in value to your home just by painting it.

As you look around your home, preparing to sell, it can be overwhelming. You want to get the most out of your home, but you don’t want to go broke getting it into selling shape. A new study by Zillow says you don’t have to. You can up your home’s value with a coat of paint, and one of the biggest differences can be made in one of the smallest rooms — the bathroom.

If you think your home has to be boring to be sellable, you’re wrong. According to the study, neutrals like beige and white aren’t the best selling colors. Light shades of blue and green are especially popular. They can increase your home’s value by as much as $5,440.00.

 

A new analysis by real estate site Zillow.com of more than 32,000 photos of sold homes finds that light shades of powder blue and periwinkle, especially in a bathroom, are correlated to an increase in home value of $5,440, on average. (If you were wondering what Home Depot’s top-selling blue interior paint hue is, it’s this soft blue-gray called “Siberian Ice.”)

On the other hand, homes with white or off-white bathrooms sold for an average of $4,035 less according to Zillow.

“Both kitchens and bathrooms are big focal points for home buyers. However, bathrooms are a bit more standardized than kitchens, so certain wall colors can really change the look and feel of the space,” says Kerrie Kelly, a home design expert at Zillow. “While wall colors in kitchens are also important, so are the kitchen appliances, countertop materials [and] layout.”

Source: Time

For dining rooms, you can even go bolder. Darker colors like blue-gray and navy blue, especially when paired with a distressed wood look, can net you nearly $2,000 more money at sale time.

Time to grab a paint brush and go to it. The days of boring homes and boring buyers are over.

Here Are All The Items You’ll Need To Throw Away Or Move Yourself

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Great moving companies are amazing. They can walk into a lived in house, and within hours, the home is packed into organized boxes and loaded onto a truck. For customers who can afford white glove service, there’s nothing better. Even when you pay for full service, though, there are some things that movers simply cannot move and you’ll need to throw them away, use them up or give them away.

  1. Perishables — Move time is time to empty out your fridge. Movers cannot move perishable items, and trust me when I say you don’t want them to. Imagine spilled sour milk contaminating all of your belongings. I’m sure I’ve said enough.
  2. Valuables — While high-quality movers specialize in high-value art and large things of value, you always want to take jewelry and important papers with you.
  3. Explosives — It is highly illegal for movers to transport explosives, especially across state lines. It’s best to leave your propane and oxygen tanks at home.
  4. Flammables — If it can possibly catch on fire, dispose of it. That includes the gasoline you have in your garage (empty it out of your lawnmower too), nail polish and nail polish remover, fertilizers, paint, etc.
  5. Corrosives — Leave your cleaning supplies and paint at home. You’ll need them anyway. They can leak and wreak havoc on all of your belongings.
  6. Plants — Moving trucks are hot, windowless and stuffy. They aren’t a good environment for plants. Not only that, they can’t be boxed efficiently, so they take up a lot of valuable space in the truck, and in many states (like California), they can’t cross state lines.
  7. Animals — As with plants, keeping animals healthy and alive in a moving truck is not easy. Please, arrange to take your four legged creatures yourself or send them with people who are qualified to move pets. As for fish, be sure to empty the fish tanks.

For a complete list of items that can’t be moved, check out Moving.com.

Featured image via Ian Collins/Flickr.

 

Five Life Hacks To Make Your Move Cheaper

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If you are moving locally or across country, believe it or not, there are ways you can make your move cheaper, even if you hire a professional mover.

1. Send your books through the the Post Office — This hack is especially helpful if you are moving across country and your mover charges by weight. Books can weigh up to 50 pounds per book box and that can add up. Send them through the Post Office. It will be cheaper, although they may take longer to arrive.

2. Move your pictures yourself — One item people typically forget about is pictures on the wall. Movers will require that pictures be packed in boxes, for which you will be charged. Most pictures will easily fit in a car, so why not move them yourself?

3. Get free or almost free boxes— While we don’t typically recommend getting grocery store boxes (they are often water damaged or the lids are cut off), there are ways to get free or almost free boxes. Ask your mover for used boxes. Most have them for free or cheap. You can also check sites like Nextdoor.com for gently used boxes from your neighbors.

4. Pack bulky linens in the bottoms of wardrobe boxes — Rather than buying boxes for bulky but light items like comforters and pillows, pack them in the bottoms of wardrobe boxes.

5. Deduct the move on your taxes — Not everyone can do this, but if you are moving for your job, you may qualify for a tax deduction. You must:

  • Be working at least an additional 50 miles more than your current commute. For example, if your current job is 10 miles away, and your new job is at least 60 miles away, you could be eligible for the deduction if you move closer.
  • Be moving for a full time job (39 plus hours per week) or multiple jobs that total at least 39 hours per week.
  • The time of the move and the time of your first day at work need to be close (somewhat undefined).
  • Members of the armed services are not required to jump through the previous hoops.

Don’t be afraid to ask your salesperson or moving consultant about other ways you can save money based on your move. Any honest company will be happy to help you save money.

 

Featured image via Money/Flickr.

New Home, New Fireworks — How To Keep Your Pets Safe

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If this is the first Fourth of July in your new home, you probably have no idea what to expect. For most of your family, the beautiful light shows and the bangs that go with them are part of the holiday. They signify independence and Americana, but for the furry members of your family, the Fourth represents anything but fun. It’s scary, especially in a new home. There are ways you can keep them safe, though.

Stay home

We realize this isn’t the perfect solution, but in your first year in a new home, it’s best to gauge your pets’ reactions, which means being with them. Besides, as scared as they are during the fireworks, imagine how much more frightening it would be without you.

Protect your pet

The Fourth is perhaps the busiest time of the year for animal shelters, and not for the right reasons. Pets in a state of panic, often run away from their yards. Please keep your pets inside, even if they are normally outdoor pets. If your pets have crates, this is a good time to crate them.

Hide the noise

Loud music or a loud TV can help drown out the noise.

Try natural remedies

Products like Thundershirts are a non-drug way to make your pet feel less anxious. There are also a host of herbal remedies like Quiet Moments calming treats (I personally recommend them). Both the Thundershirts and herbal calming aids like Quiet Moments are available at most pet stores.

Try less natural remedies

Talk to your veterinarian. She can recommend a number of solutions, including sedatives, anti-depressants and anti-anxiety pills. Be sure to ask your vet about possible side effects and how the medication will work.

Even with these tips, your animals will likely still be stressed. You are the most comforting thing in the world to them, but pay attention to their body language. Many pets do not like to be touched when they are stressed out. For those, save your cuddle time for later. Some want to be cuddled. Let them on your lap if you can.

Featured image via Dennis Matheson/Flickr.

How To Keep Your Home From Being Broken Into While It’s Vacant

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As any real estate agent will tell you, the best way to sell your home is to clean it like you’ve never cleaned it before and stage it so it looks modern and pristine. It can be difficult to maintain with people living there, so many people move out of their homes while the homes sit on the market. There’s one major problem, though. For many, a for sale sign in front of a vacant home is an invitation to break in and that’s always bad for potential buyers. The thieves don’t have to win, though. Here are some steps you can take to secure your belongings and secure your home:

1. Clear it out — For Sale signs and especially open houses are excuses for people to go through your belongings. Remove all paperwork from your home. You’d be surprised at how much paperwork contains sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, etc. You should also take any electronics with you.

2. Get an alarm — An alarm system might not prevent a break-in, but it will shorten the duration of the home invasion.

3. Arm your home with cameras and lights — Motion detector flood lights will draw attention to your home, which is a bad thing for burglars. Cameras will tell the police who the burglars are.

4. Invest in security doors — Steel enforced security doors make breaking in far too difficult for most intruders. If you have a beautiful door that is a focal point for your home, you might not want to replace it, but you can reinforce the door you have.

5. Secure your fence — One of the best way for people to break into your home, unnoticed, is for them to do it through the back yard. Secure your fence. Make sure the gate is locked and secure and that the fence is too tall for someone to climb over. You can add some iron to the top if you can’t afford a new fence.

6. Notify the police — If your home is going to be vacant for any length of time, it’s always a good idea to notify the local police. While they patrol the neighborhood, they can pay a little extra attention to your home.

It might cost you a little extra to secure your home, but in the long run, it can save you a lot of money and perhaps it can even help bring in a higher offer for your home.

Featured image via Mark Moz/Flickr.

Thinking Of Taking On A Tenant To Help With The Mortgage? Here’s What To Do

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Thinking of taking on a tenant?

If you live in California and you bought in the last five years or so, there’s a good chance that you’re bordering on or are house poor, meaning you spend more than 30 percent of your income on your mortgage (or rent). Maybe you can take on a tenant.

If you’re over 30, having a roommate might seem a little…well…like you’re back in college. You’re right. It will definitely take getting used to, but if you do the right amount of screening, your tenant/housemate can make a wonderful addition to your life.

  1. Figure out the price: Check local listings for comparable neighborhoods and rooms. A room that has its own entrance and bath will go for dramatically more than one that doesn’t. In a single dwelling, including utilities might be easiest, so you would want to account for that.
  2. Put an ad in Craigslist. You aren’t limited just to Craigslist anymore. Facebook has several groups for home shares. You can also post within surrounding neighborhoods in Nextdoor.
  3. The next part may be the hardest. Obviously, you want to meet any potential housemate before letting them move in, but you should also ask them to provide a credit report. They can get theirs for free while it would cost you, plus you’d need to get their authorization. Find out how they spend their home time. Do you want someone who stays out of your way or do you want someone who hangs out with you? Do you have chemistry? Do you want someone your age, or perhaps someone younger or older. All three options have their advantages. Here is a link for a free rental application.
  4. Once you find the right person, have them sign a lease, but you might want to think about a month to month lease, simply because you can’t be sure that you’re really compatible with a housemate until they’ve actually move in. With month to month, all the terms are still spelled out, but either party can end the agreement with 30 days notice. Trust me, 30 days with the wrong tenant is far better than a year.
  5. Specify rules. Do you want to share cleaning duties, put that in writing. Make a schedule. A laundry schedule is definitely recommended. If you are early to bed and early to rise, specify quiet times.

Another option is to rent only part of the time with a service like Airbnb, which might mean more work for you and some strangers taking over your home, but it will be short term. Of course, the upside to a long-term tenant is company, if you choose to see it that way.

Featured image via FreeStockPhotos.

Moving Is Tough, It’s Even Tougher On The Kids; Here’s How To Make It Better

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Moving with your kids can be extra stressful and sometimes, we get so busy we forget how it’s effecting our children.

Full disclosure, while I don’t have children (unless you count the four legged variety), as a kid, I moved more often than can be counted on two hands. Before graduating high school, I attended eight schools. In other words, I know first hand what your children are going through as you’re preparing for the move and while I’m not an expert in psychology, I do have some insight.

  1. Involve your kids — Children often feel like unwitting victims in a move. The best way to avoid that is to engage them. Take them house hunting. Let them (if possible) choose what to pack and what to leave behind. Have them pick colors for their new room and if it’s possible, let them pick out new furniture.
  2. Scour the internet — Make researching your new town fun. Find activities, perhaps some group activities or fun extracurricular activities. Explore the neighborhood via Google maps.
  3. Talk to them — Tell your kids why you’re moving and how it’s a new adventure in life.
  4. Help them make friends — For less than popular kids, it’s an opportunity for a do-over. Ask them who they’d like to be (brainy, athletic, musical, artistic, etc.) and help them work out a game plan. If they are popular, assure them that they have the social skills to easily make new friends. Buy them some new clothes for their new school.
  5. Ask adults if they have age appropriate children — If you are moving for a job, ask your coworkers if they have any age appropriate children. If not, knock on some neighbor’s doors. Don’t pressure the kids, but you can casually get them together just to see if they hit it off.
  6. Visit the school — It’s a good idea to let your children meet the teachers and get a tour of the campus before their first day. That way they aren’t taken by surprised and they’re less likely to get lost on a large campus.
  7. Throw a goodbye party for all of their friends, and even for the house. Take lots of pictures, exchange addresses (both email and physical). If your child is old enough for social media, let them follow their old friends.

Even if you do everything right, moving with your kids will still be tough. Acknowledge how they feel and give them time to adjust.

Why You Should Purchase Insurance For Your Move

Posted by & filed under Moving Estimates.

Should you buy insurance for your move? Isn’t it automatically covered?

It’s become cliche to say that moving is stressful. Between packing and general chaos, moving is no fun. The most stressful moments, though, might be the time when your most precious possessions are like Schrodinger’s Cat. They exist and they don’t exist and you have no idea what condition you’ll get them in.

<h2>Now, we wouldn’t be writing this if we were known for damaging or losing your household goods, but on occasion, accidents happen and that’s why you should purchase insurance.</h2>

For most, this makes absolutely no sense. Shouldn’t moving companies automatically cover everything you own? The answer is more complicated than you think. Moving companies are not insurance companies. We can’t really tell the difference between an 18th Century Queen Anne and a reproduction. That’s what insurance companies specialize in.

On the other hand, the federal government and the state of California do require that movers cover $.60 per pound per item. That means that if your Queen Anne chair weighs 70 pounds, you’ll receive a grand total of $42.00. Even a reproduction is worth more than that, right?

Unless everything you own is junk (and if that’s the case, why move it?), purchasing insurance, while you’re unlikely to use it, offers peace of mind. Many movers use companies like Baker’s International, which is underwritten by the world-famous Lloyds of London, for their customer’s insurance needs. It’s simple. You just go online and purchase a policy.

In some cases, homeowner’s insurance may cover the move, but typically not. You can ask your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance agent if you can buy a rider for the policy that will cover the move.

Featured image via Pictures of Money/Flickr.

Moving To A Tiny House? Here’s How We Can Help

Posted by & filed under Storage.

If you’re an HGTV addict, like me, you’ve probably noticed the new trend in home ownership: going tiny. Moving to a tiny house is an idea that’s both crazy and very sane. It’s also impractical and completely practical at the same time. It’s for singles, young couples, small families (and some surprisingly large families) and retirees. it’s for anyone who’s having trouble balancing California’s high cost of living with having a life. It also comes with a whole host of challenges.

Image via Tomas Quinones/Flickr.com

As adorable as many tiny houses are, and they are adorable, the keyword is still “tiny.” It won’t be a smooth transition no matter how you look at it. Despite the incredibly creative storage solutions in many of them, there is still not enough room to contain the contents of an average American home. For some, it’s more like moving back into an average college dorm room.

A tiny home, like a large home, is a commitment, but for those for whom it’s a drastic change, a little commitment phobia might be the wise way to go. In other words, move into your new home with all the enthusiasm you would have with any new relationship, but be cautious.

You might think at this point that I’d be encouraging you to put all of your belongings in storage. While we’d welcome you to store your larger household with us, that’s not very practical and while it won’t completely defeat the purpose (storage is still a lot cheaper than maintaining a large home), it would be a waste of money.

<h2>The top piece of advice is still to downsize, downsize, downsize.</h2>

Buy some graph paper and carefully map out the layout of your new home. Here are some tips for doing that. When moving into a more normal sized home, it might be sufficient to only measure your furniture, but in this case, measure everything, including the contents of your closets, cabinets and drawers. If you haven’t used or worn something in the last year, sell it or donate it. Apps like LetGo can make that a whole lot easier. If you have something you love, but just won’t fit, let us take care of it for you. If you decide to graduate to a bigger home in the future, it will be safe for you.

Featured image via Nicolás Boullosa/Flickr.