by Moving Suggstions

How to Get Settled After Moving to a New Town

Movers in Providence RI

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Although it’s stressful, moving is an exciting time because it opens up so many new possibilities. Transitioning to a new place involves a lot of unpacking, redecorating and set-up. Once that’s over, you can start exploring your new community and making connections. Below, get some tips for organizing your unpacking efforts and find out how to get settled in your new town so it feels like home.

Make an Unpacking Game Plan

Once the moving truck pulls away, your house will likely look like a disorganized mess of boxes. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and not know where to start, but prioritizing your top needs will help you dive into the task.

If you have kids, for example, it’s probably a good idea to unpack the items for their room or nursery first. From there, Moving.com suggests unpacking your kitchen, towels and linens, electronic cords and items that will go in your entryway.

Help Kids and Pets Get Settled

Moving is stressful for adults, but it can be even more overwhelming for kids and pets. Talking to your kids throughout the moving process will help them adjust and get comfortable with their surroundings more quickly.

Before you moved, you probably already researched some local activities and groups that your kids can get involved with. On long unpacking days, take a break to go do something fun in the community to help your kids get excited about the change of scenery.

Because moving is such a stressful time for pets, it’s a good idea to maintain your routines as much as possible. Surrounding your pet with familiar toys, treats and bedding will help reduce stress. If you have a dog, taking him for a walk around the neighborhood will acclimate him to the new surroundings and help him feel more secure.

Get Paperwork and Security in Order

It’s crucial to change your address and set up utilities like trash collection, power, and the internet at your new home as soon as possible. You should also consider your security as soon as you move in. Commerce Bank says that it’s important to do a safety check on all of the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and ensure that you have a fire extinguisher. Next, have a reputable locksmith come out to change the locks and make sure the windows are secure.

Decorate and Do Maintenance

Decorating a new home is sometimes the best part about settling in. It can be a challenge to work with your existing decorations, but it sometimes takes a little creativity.

If you find yourself needing to buy new decor to make things work, be sure to think about color coordination and how everything will flow together aesthetically. Don’t forget to include enough storage as you pick out new pieces for your place.

Decorating allows you to take an extra close look at everything around the house. While you’re at it, you’ll probably notice a few areas that need maintenance or renovations. Make sure you take care of any issues with the plumbing, electrical or HVAC system before you take on any aesthetic changes, such as painting the walls or putting in new flooring. Skipping these out-of-sight repairs will only lead to costly issues down the road.

Explore the Community

It’s easy to pour all your energy into decorating your home and finding a place for all your items. However, to really make your new place feel like home, you’ll want to venture out into the community. In the first month of living in your new place, you should try putting yourself out there by trying local restaurants and inviting new friends over to your place. Getting involved in local clubs or charities can make you feel like part of the community too.

Moving to a new town is never easy, but by following these tips you can set yourself up for a smoother transition. Remember that unpacking and organizing is just the first step in getting settled. Be sure to branch out in your town to find places and activities that make the community feel like home.

Contact Grace Movers Providence for information about local and long-distance moving.

Avoid Stress When Moving to Providence, RI Using These Tips

by Moving InformationMoving SuggstionsUncategorized

Moving Stress GraphicMoving to a new home will take you to a roller coaster ride of emotions. One day you are excited to plan the move, pack your things, and daydream of your new life in your new neighborhood. The next day you realize the big day is fast approaching, and you haven’t finished packing your belongings, and now you’re stressed and frustrated. Before you know it, the movers are in your doorstep, ready to load your things.

While it is true that stress is part of moving, you can minimize it and make the experience less hassle and memorable. The key to a stress-free relocation is planning properly. In this article, we will tell you some tips on how you can avoid the anxiety of moving, especially if you are doing it during the holidays.

Eliminate the Clutter

You don’t want to keep items that are no longer of use to you because they will only add to the things you need to pack, and that means more effort and additional cost on the moving company. Only bring the items that you can use in your new house and get rid of the clutter. Doing this will not only save you energy and time but will also make you feel accomplished and organized. You can donate the items to a charity, put them on a garage sale, or simply throw them away. You will thank yourself later for heeding to this advice.

Organize Everything

Perhaps one of the most challenging things to do when moving is to plan and organize everything. You can help yourself get organized by making a checklist of the tasks you need to finish before the day of the move arrives. As soon as you know where you’re relocating and when you’re doing it, begin setting yourself a timeframe when you need to accomplish everything in your checklist. Give yourself at least a week to accomplish each task.

The list should set as a guide and keep you on top of everything until the day of your move. Make sure to focus on everything on the checklist, so you still have time to relax prior to the big day. You can also seek help from the moving company because they will have materials to help you with completing things.

Prepare Ahead of Time

You will be under a lot of stress if you don’t prepare ahead of the move. It is always wise to start early than find yourself racing with time. Plan thoughtfully and consider everything that can affect your relocation. As much as possible, make a plan that can be carried out as quickly as you can because you don’t have the luxury of time. Generally, two months should be ample time for you to organize every nitty-gritty of the move. Don’t hesitate to seek assistance from the moving company if you feel like you are short of hands.

Expect the Unexpected

You can plan everything, make a checklist, manage your time, and pack your things ahead of time, yet sometimes, things will just go exactly you want it to happen. While creating a bulletproof plan helps tremendously for a stress-free move, it can’t guarantee the unanticipated things from occurring. There are a lot of factors that can go wrong on the day of your move, and all you can do is be flexible.

It can be wise to expect something will go astray on a moving day, so you can adjust your plan with ease. You can still have a stress-free move even when not everything goes according to your checklist.

Eat Properly and Rest Well

You should also take care of yourself in the process. You need to mind your diet and have adequate sleep even in the busiest days. Don’t skip meals and avoid sleeping very late in the evening because you cannot afford to be sick on the day of your relocation. Having a well-rested and healthy body helps ease the stress and will calm you as you near the important day of your life.

Stress is part of moving, and that’s something we can’t do away with. But we can choose not to be overwhelmed by it and still get things working to our advantage. By following these tips, we hope you have a happy and exciting move to your new abode.

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Moving Quotes: An Apple to Apple Comparison

by Moving InformationMoving QuotesMoving Suggstions

Moving Quote ProcessThe key to a successful move is to choose the right professional moving company to do the job. Whether you are moving with your family or you’re relocating your business to a new state, it is critical to find the best people to help you make the task less stressful and daunting. Moving will cost you a lot, and you want to make sure you are spending your money on the best moving company possible. You want to obtain at least four quotations from various moving companies, then make a reasonable comparison of the things each company has to offer. By doing this, you can save yourself from disreputable companies that will rob you of your money, time, and energy. Keep the following factors in mind when comparing the estimates from each moving company:

Weight, Miles, and Hours

Study the estimate and check if they have the same information about the expected load, miles, expected hours, and the number of crew members. You have to consider the type of moving company you will get an estimate from. For instance, you should work with a long-distance moving company if you are preparing for a long-distance move. When it comes to the number of workers and the expected hours, it will mostly be based on the moving company. Some companies charge a flat rate for a certain amount of hours and bill you per hour for the succeeding hours thereafter. However, this can be disadvantageous on your part because it will lead to a higher moving charge. Another thing is the mileage calculation. It should be clearly shown for each estimate to ensure that there will be no additional charge per mile on the day of the move.

 

Storage, Insurance, and Add-on Services

Look for additional services that do not appear on all the quotes you have in hand. It will not be an apple-to-apple comparison if one estimate has packing materials included, while the others don’t. You should be keen on any add- on services because they usually are the game-changers. Watch out for insurance coverage, distance, and fuel, as well as storage space and time. You should ensure that each estimate has the same inclusions to avoid getting yourself scammed by a low-ball offer from a company, then asks you for extra payment for additional services that weren’t included in the quotation, when things are done. If the cost of mileage or fuel is added, you need to see to it that they are of the same range across all the estimates.

Other Things to be Aware Of

Be wise when studying the moving quotes you obtained. Always question a quote that is too high or too low because probably, there is something fishy with them. To give you a clear idea of how the pricing goes with a moving service, you should get at least 4 to 5 estimates from equally competent companies. If you see that one rate is substantially lower than the others, verify with the company the factors they included in the estimate to see if it matches the ones presented by the rest. If not, these variables may drive your rate up as soon as the move commences.

On the other hand, if the rate of a company is significantly higher than the rest, make sure they did not include services that weren’t part of other companies’ estimates. Take time to confirm if the moving companies have licenses and if they have enough manpower to complete the task on hand. Finally, if the offer is too good to be true, it probably is.

Ask Questions and Ask for Revisions, If Needed

If you can’t make an accurate assessment of the estimates for the reason that they don’t have the same inclusions, don’t hesitate to seek assistance from the moving companies and make revisions with the estimate. You have all the right to ensure that every detail is taken care of. After all, this is your relocation you are talking about, and you want to make sure every aspect of it is handled correctly so that you can have a smooth and successful move. You can check online reviews from each company’s previous customers and see what they have to say about the overall service of the company. Don’t always make the price the deciding factor, and take into consideration the professionalism of the company and the way they treat their customers.

When Buying a Home, Understand What You’re on the Hook For

by BlogHome Purchase

What to consider when moving

Moving into a new home is a lot of work. Developing a checklist and getting enough boxes and bubble wrap alone can be stressful, to say the least. However, the actual moving part is fun when you compare it to the legal and financial undertaking necessary to buy a new house.

So, you saved for a down payment and secured a preapproval through your bank, but there are all sorts of fees that come along with the purchase of a new home. To get a better grasp of what’s expected of you — the buyer — and the seller before and at closing, read on.

Keep Your Wallet Close & Your Pen Closer

While some costs — like property taxes — are unavoidable for both buyers and sellers, there are other responsibilities that fall to one party or the other. However, many of these additional fees are outlined in the paperwork itself.

For example, in most cases, the seller will more than likely pay for any real estate agent commissions. According to the Lenders Network, “typically commission is 6 percent of the final sales price. The seller’s agent will split this commission with the buyer’s agent.”

Sellers then pay any transfer tax, applicable capital gains tax, and a small percentage of the closing costs. Depending on what your local market is like, sellers might take on more financial responsibility to make the sale more appealing to buyers. In these cases, a seller could pay for a buyer’s home warranty, which acts as a service contract for the first year after purchase.

Whatever you agree to, your agent should have it worked into the paperwork. Your purchase agreement and any addenda will be your “leg to stand on” in the event that a seller does not deliver on things, like repairs or credits they promised to make.

Request Repairs, Not a Complete Restoration

When it comes to requesting repairs from a seller, the sky’s the limit. You can ask for cosmetic fixes along with the important stuff, like plumbing and structural repairs, but don’t go overboard. Be reasonable with your requests, whether it’s for a repair or credit on the sales price.

Approach each request from the seller’s point of view. Would you want to sell a home to someone asking you to fix every little thing in the home? Sellers usually put in a lot of money beforehand to get the home in tip-top shape, but they’re selling a used home. Unless the home is being sold “as-is,” sellers expect to receive requests.

Buying a home for sale as-is means you agree to the terms that sellers will not repair things like structural issues, roof leaks, or the like. Most of the time, the sales price for an as-is home is discounted, taking the cost of repairs into account. If you buy an as-is home, expect to pay for every problem you encounter, regardless of the severity.

If the home is not being sold as-is, you should make requests. To do this fairly, rely on a home inspection, which should bring any severe structural or system defects to light. According to Maximum Exposure Real Estate, an inspection “should not be [done] to create a punch list that itemizes every minor defect … you expect the seller to fix.” If you want everything to be perfect before you buy, then consider buying new.

Once inspections are completed, make your requests verbally and in writing. You should request that all repairs be completed before moving in, or that you are credited for the repairs that you’ll take care of when you see fit. Remember, everything should be documented in the paperwork, too. Be sure to show up for the final walkthrough of the home as well.

Closing The Door on a Final Walkthrough

Before everything is transferred over and closing is complete, take one last walk through the home. This is your last opportunity to check out the home yourself.

That doesn’t mean now is the time to start picking out other requests for repairs — all you need to do is check that any agreed-upon requests were completed and that nothing else that’s significant has changed. You should make sure the heating and air are working, as well as the toilets, light fixtures, disposal, appliances, and water.

The final walkthrough is your last time to be in the property before it becomes yours. This property will soon be your home, so verify that everything is as you agreed. The next time you walk through the door, it’s all yours.

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