6 Tips to Find the Perfect Neighborhood

As a home buyer, there are many important factors to consider when choosing a home; one being that you are purchasing a part of a neighborhood and community. And you and your family, in turn, will be part of this community. So it's a good idea to make sure it is a good fit. But how do you know if a neighborhood is right for you? As professional movers, we have many years of experience regarding this topic. The following are come tips to help you find the perfect neighborhood.

Make a list of things you desire in a community Compile a list of items that would make an ideal neighborhood including; the things that you could not live without as well as criteria that you would be willing to sacrifice. Placing thought in areas such as commute to and from work, if you think it is important to be near a grocery store or walking distance to restaurants and entertainment. While you are thinking of must have items, it is a good idea to consider the criteria you do not want Take advantage of the internet Websites, especially ours, alwaysmovingforward.biz, can assist you in this process. Also, check out some realtors websites in the areas you're moving to. This can give you a great picture of what life may be like if you chose to live in that area and help you narrow down your search. Zero in on potential areas Once you have done the general research on your target neighborhoods, take the time (if you can) to go out and visit the communities. Go to the restaurants, attend community events, talk to the locals and see if you could call that place home. Once you have narrowed down your search to a few areas, drive through them at different times of the day. The nature of a neighborhood changes from day to night and weekday to weekend. Make sure the noise levels are to your liking and pay attention to any odors in the area as well. Look into crime rates The U.S. Census Bureau's city profile often lists crime statistics. You can also visit sites like crime reports.com which offers local maps where you can view crime data in almost real-time. You may also consider calling the local police department and ask about the statistics, reports, and sex offenders. Check out school ratings Even if you do not have school-aged children, this is a good plan. School districts are typically the largest beneficiaries of your property taxes and schools that are in higher demand often raise the value of the surrounding homes. There are many resources that will provide information on both public and private schools. Investigate municipality and public services Taking time to research the new municipality of the area you are looking into can be as easy as looking at the official website. Research trash collection options, street cleaning, and public maintenance as these things can affect your property value over time especially if there are budget cuts. Next take a look at the streets, sidewalks, and parks; are they maintained, clean, and appear to be clear of potential problems? These items are often overlooked when looking for a new home.

How to Make the Most of a Moving Sale

Moving a home is not only a tiresome process, but it can also consume large amounts of time. If you plan well and have a well-organized moving sale, then the process of moving becomes easy while moving your home or office. A moving sale can help you make some cash that can support your moving expenses. As professional movers, we have worked with many customers who have chosen to have a sale before they move. These are some tips they used to make the most of their moving sales.

Pack separate boxes in each room You should consider packing separate boxes for your moving sale items as you pack up everything else. Store sellable items in these boxes, and then just put them out on the actual moving sale day. Develop a pricing plan Stuck on how to price things? Start by dividing the original price by 5 and then discounting for any wear and tear. It helps ensure that most items will be sold by the time the sale is completed. Make categories for sale items It can be easier to make categories of items all the same price, such as "all clothing $4 each." It may also save hours of time creating small price tags. You can also price items by the table, meaning everything on a certain table is priced at one fixed price. However, if you follow this route, it can be difficult to remember where each item came from. Keep this in mind. Get a charity/donation truck involved Make arrangements in advance to have a charity donation truck arrive at the closing time of your moving sale to take away anything that wasn't sold. The charity gets donations, and you clear out of any items that didn't sell by the end. Get creative with pricing Price everything to be easily divisible by 2. This allows you to hold a "1/2 price clearance" during the last hour of the sale, and clear out lots of remaining items. This may lead to getting more cash you might have missed otherwise- you would be amazed how many times we have seen this work successfully. You need to make change Have lots of spare change in bills and coins on hand. Consider keeping this cash on your person, and not in a box that can be easily stolen. Lack of having correct change is a frustrating reason to lose a sale. Advertise Start advertising at least two weeks before the sale. Use clear street signs in large letters, ads in local papers, and flyers on cars in a 5-block radius from your place. Get help Recruit as much help as you can find for the big day. You can use assistance for watching tables, helping customers move items and answering questions. A moving sale should be well organized before the moving day. And, dont forget, any items that remain after the moving sale can be donated. Following this steps should ensure a successful move and the chance to put some well-earned dollars in your pocket.

Things to Remember When Moving Your Utilities

Moving to a new place can be a rewarding experience. But, truth be told the experience is what you make it, so it can be positive or negative. The mere thought of packing all your stuff and moving to a new place often gives people nightmares. Packing all the stuff carefully, labeling them entirely and loading the trucks are quite a tough job. Apart from other moving preparations, moving utilities can also be stressful. As professional movers, we have a lot of experience here, so we decided to inform you of your options. The following are steps for moving your utilities.

Get final readings Have your utility companies and town do a final reading of the gas, electric and water meters. Make sure to get and keep a copy of your bill or report. On your insurance, inform your insurer and ensure you have coverage from the day you move in. Buildings insurance should form part of your mortgage agreement. Also keep in mind other policies which include: life, motor, medical, and possibly pets. Let the gas company know your move is imminent and remember you may be required to take final readings just before you leave. To the electricity suppliers, inform them of the move as well and take readings before you leave. And don't forget phone service providers, landline, and mobile. Remember to forward your new address Mailing address forwarding can offer extra security during the moving process. It allows you to receive your old mailing address deliveries and sensitive personal mail to a safe and secure address. Make sure to get up to date on bills Ideally, you want to pay any overdue bills and collect any refunds or utility deposits before the move. In many cases, people forget that they may have been behind on bills for awhile. So, make sure you also communicate with the utility companies to ensure you are currently. If you're not, it's not the end of the world. This may be a good time to discuss any options you make have. Like deferring payments or seeking economy plans. Get important numbers and addresses that you may need later Carry your phone directories with you, in case you need to make contact again with your previous neighborhood. You can collect their contacts during your last day party or any other time. Don't forget; you may regret not keeping in touch. Compare billing systems in the different areas Different areas of the country handle the billing of public utilities differently. So make sure to see if the area you are moving to has different customs.