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Packing Tips and Tricks

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Our comprehensive guide of packing tips and tricks for your next move!

moving boxesBefore You Move

  • If possible, clean the bathroom and kitchen in your new place before you move in.
  • Designate a donate pile for all clothing and items that you don’t want to take with you, then schedule a pickup with the Salvation Army or Goodwill. Don’t forget to ask for a receipt to claim your donations as a tax deduction!
  • Measure all your furniture. If a piece of furniture can’t fit in your new home, donate or sell it!
  • For the 2-3 weeks leading up to your moving day, plan your meals around whatever frozen food, perishable items, or half open containers that you have around the kitchen. You can also donate your unopened nonperishable items to a local food bank!

Save Time and Money When Packing

  • Ask local retailers and businesses for their gently used boxes.
  • While your clothes are still hanging in the closet, put them inside a trash bag to make unpacking simpler. Use laundry baskets, trash bins, and suitcases as boxes.
  • Instead of bubble wrap, protect your dishes and fragile items with clothing and linens.
  • Place glasses inside clean socks for extra padding.
  • Write the contents of each box on the box, or on an inventory list. 
  • Label the sides of boxes so you can read the labels even when the boxes are stacked.
  • Unpack your boxes by room to prevent constant back and forth trips around the house, especially if you have stairs!

BONUS Packing Hacks

  • Snap a picture of the back of your TV and other electronic devices before packing them up. That way, you know exactly which wires go where when you’re setting up in the new place!
  • Put knives inside an old oven mitt to prevent injuries.
  • String electronic wires through paper towel rolls to avoid tangled messes.
  • Put jewelry in egg cartons to keep your necklaces from knotting and tangling.
  • Place a cotton ball in makeup compacts to keep them from breaking. Use rubber bands to keep pots and lids together.
  • Stack plates vertically to prevent them from breaking and put a styrofoam plate between plates for extra protection.
  • To keep toiletries from leaking during transit, put a piece of plastic wrap over the opening, then screw on the cap.

When you’re ready for your next move, we’re ready to help you sell or buy your next home! Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

 

Top 3 Questions to Ask a Realtor®

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house key

With so many agents available in the valley, it can be overwhelming when it comes to picking the right one. That’s why we put together a list of the top 3 questions to ask a Realtor®.

How many showings should I expect each week?
Expectations are the key to success! If you’re selling your home, wouldn’t you like to know the probability of having a showing every day vs once a week? We know it’s a pain to be cleaning, leaving the lights on, opening the curtains or blinds, vacuuming, and sweeping off the patios. Will you need to do that every day or once a week? Whatever the answer, you’ll want to be prepared.

What single upgrade will bring me the greatest return?
The majority of homes in our area were built between 1970 and 2010. Adding a pool, updating cabinets, replacing countertops, adding a bathroom or replacing your flooring are all items that could get you a positive return on your dollar… as long as they are done wisely. Even newer homes that are less than 10 years old can see a value variance of 15% for the exact same floor plan based on interior upgrades. Knowing the best tips to get you top dollar when selling is key.

How accurate are your estimates of property value, upgrade costs, and ROI?
Anyone can throw out random numbers, but it takes experience to throw out accurate estimates.

We have the experience and expertise to answer these Top 3 questions and all other real estate questions you may have. We are accurate with our advice and offer services to help prepare your home. We look forward to answering all of your questions! Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

Letting Go of Your Home

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home for saleFor many people, selling a home is a process that is filled with emotion because they have lived in their homes for years creating memories. Others are facing necessary moves because of unfortunate circumstances. Even sellers preparing for a desired move are likely to face some feelings of attachment to their home that can threaten to interfere with the sale process. Despite the difficulty, emotionally detaching yourself from your property before listing it is the first step in ensuring a smooth sale.

Here are some tips to help you let go of your home:

If the move is necessary, but unwanted then be honest with us. We are accustomed to working with sellers in all sorts of different and difficult situations. Being upfront with us about potential problems will enable us to act in your best interest.

We use the assistance of a professional stager. She will help you remove your personal items and neutralize the home so that buyers will view it as a blank slate. This can help accelerate your process of moving on and seeing your home for what it is when it is for sale.

Leave the property when buyers come to look at your home and allow realtors to handle the showing. Lingering sellers can cause potential buyers to feel uncomfortable and may interfere with their perception of the property, and observing any negative reactions that buyers may have will only make the process of letting go more difficult for the seller.

When you are preparing to pack your belongings, take photos of your favorite spots in your home to preserve memories. Focus on your next step and new opportunities that selling your current home will provide you. Even if now is not your preferred time to move, focusing on the highlights of your new home and neighborhood will start the excitement about the transition.

Choosing a Good Moving Service

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Unlocking a front door photoWhen you’re moving to a new home, you may be inclined to take care of the move yourself. After all, you don’t have that much to move, right? Unfortunately, you may find yourself in over your head sooner or later! Even if you could reasonably take care of your move on your own, you may still want to go with a moving company simply because it’s much easier and more convenient. If you choose to use a moving service, there are a few things you need to know to ensure that it goes as smoothly as possible. Check out the tips below to help make your moving service experience a good one.

Ask About Discounts: The company you’re considering may offer some discounts depending on your status or memberships. For example, if you’re a member of AAA or AARP, you probably qualify for some discounts from moving services in your area. If you’re a student or a member of the military you may qualify as well. If your company doesn’t offer any discounts, don’t be afraid to shop around and find one that does.

Check for Reviews: Look online or ask around in your area to find reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations that may help you choose the right moving company. A company with a lot of great reviews is always going to be a better choice than one that doesn’t have anyone talking about it.

Ask About Insurance: Most moving companies will offer their own insurance plans or contracts that specify what will happen if some of your belongings are damaged or go missing during the move. If yours doesn’t, ask about this right away. And if they don’t offer any information about potential insurance, then you should choose a different company. It’s up to you whether or not you want to pay for additional insurance for your belongings during a move, but you should always have that option. You may also want to call your own insurance company to ask about this possibility too.

Understand The Details of the Contract: Last but not least, always ask for the details of any moving company contract. Be sure you understand who will be at fault if anything goes wrong, and make sure you understand the fees completely before you sign. Always get the fees in writing, too, so that they cannot be changed after the move has taken place. Find out, too, how you’ll receive payment or compensation if you use the company’s insurance and something from your belongings is damaged or goes missing.

Are you considering moving the the northeast valley?  Click here to learn about about Scottsdale and surrounding area homes and neighborhoods.