Selling your home? If you want to maximize your profits, then you need to look at it from the buyer’s perspective. Here’s how:

Stop Thinking of it as Your Home You know every nook and cranny, every memory, every renovation. But now it is time to look at it as if you were buying it. Make sure to clear a path of your things and put away as much as you can so that the person coming to look can visualize living in your home and having their things around. Things that are very personal may be a good idea to pack away while you are showing the home. Also, makes sure that everything is clean and well kept. Make sure your windows, blinds, floors and even porches are cleaned off. A potential buyer needs to be impressed with the entire home, so thinking of everything as important is key. This is now an asset to you, not your personal home.

Know Your Competition Its important to know how your home stands up against the competition around you. You can feel confident in what you have to offer, and also now where people may be checking things out and what they are thinking. You can go as far as hiring an inspector to come in and describe to your what people will see as defects in your home. This way you are not caught off guard and will be able to provide a plan or explanation.

Fix Issues Replacement is one of the most important things to consider and to do when you are amping up to sell your home. If it needs new carpet, faucets or paint job, make sure that you complete these. These items can make a great home look dumpy and will make it sell for much less. Take out the money beforehand and reap the benefits later. Offering credits, which is sometimes done, isn’t a great option if you are thinking like a buyer and trying to maximize profits. Rather than credit the buyer for things like floor or appliance allowances, actually fix and repair the things that need to be done in advance so that you remove that objection from the outset.

Stage the House Check out this super helpful video to help you learn how to stage your home.

Caring for a senior is often no easy task. The emotional and physical demands that it can take on an individual (both caretaker and giver) can be great. Many times we are faced with the decision of whether to put a loved one into an assisted living retirement home. Although this decision may be the best for all parties, it is important to know that it will be emotionally taxing for everyone as well. When making the jump with a loved one into this situation there are a number of things to keep in mind.

1. Make sure that everyone in the family has a chance to address and clarify the way that they are feeling about the decision. This is not only a hard transition for one person–it usually weighs on everyone involved so its important to stay open.

2. Let it be. If your family member is upset by the move, allow them to feel the way that they do. Be there as a sounding board to absorb their frustrations. Sometimes its ok just to listen and empathize.

3. Make sure to reassure them of your presence in their life. Let them know that just because they will be living somewhere else, doesn’t also mean that they will lose you. They need this reassurance at this time.

4. Remain calm. Raised voices or outward displays of anger will only leave both parties feeling hurt. This is a highly emotional time for both of you; recognize it, but try not to let it enter the conversation.

5. Let them make decision that are important to them. Things like choosing the facility, their room, colors that will be in their room is very important for them to retain control over. This is a tough time for them in feeling loss of control. This will help.
6. Let them know calmly why this is the best decision for them practically. Try not to add an emotional element into the mix as it may lead you down a slippery slope. Stay positive and let them know all of the positives of their new life.

7.  If you’re family member is having a difficult time accepting this decision, allow them time to absorb the news. You may also consider seeking professional help, such as a counselor or a senior moving specialist. Sometimes it helps to have a neutral outside party to talk to.

8. Don’t be hard on yourself; try not to feel bad about this decision. Be good to yourself and know that this is the best thing for the entire family. Dealing with your emotions outside of the decision will help ensure that your conversation remains calm and focused.

There are many factors in a family’s first move, not to mention feelings and emotions. When you are helping your families adjust to a new place and new city that you are going to be calling home, it is important to lead them around so their transition is cushioned with leadership, compassion and understanding. Here’s how you can help.

Take a Tour

Make sure that you clearly state every room and who will be living there, and what the room will look like or what will be done there (family room, laundry room, etc.) Does somebody’s window face the lake? Or have 2 closets? Make this apparent to all. Walk around as a unit and be there for any questions or any confusion as to what room is whose. Also, you can try making things into a game to lighten the mood and to make their first experience in their new home positive and filled with laughter and smiles. Achieve this by playing hide and go seek or tag–especially if the house is empty!

Essentials Box for everyone

Having each person pack themselves an essentials box is incredibly important. For kids it should be things that comfort them. Games, music, books, journals, cameras all are important. Things that they are used to that they can turn to when they need some moments away. If possible, have the family move their essentials boxes so that the kids have a piece of familiarity and home the first night.

Plan a Family Gathering
Although planning anything this early in the game may seem daunting at a time like this, it doesn’t have to be. Find out what every family member wants to eat–grab your biggest blanket and your candles. Set up shop in your living room or dining room on the floor and get ready to talk. Talk about the move, the exciting and not so exciting parts, what you are looking forward to in your new home and city. Get it all out! This is also a fabulous forum for family support and understanding when members open up.

Unpack the Kids Rooms…first!

This is important that you can assure that your babies are taken care of and feeling secure as soon as possible. This includes posters being put up, music being set up or toys being brought out. A happy kid’s room is the key to a happy home.

Making Your Child Comfortable in Their New Room

Kids can be scared in their new living space, especially at night when its time to go to sleep. Make sure to make the room look as close to the old set up as possible to help them feel familiarized and at home ASAP.

Many of us over think the moving process and what and how to pack for a move. Something to consider is that you will not always be able to take along boxes if they are filled with prohibited items. To prevent making your move stressful and complicated, stay away from packing the following items:

Dangerous Items

Fertilizer

Paints

Car Batteries

Matches

Nail Polish & Remover

Batteries

Loaded Weapons

Weed Killer

Ammonia

Lamp Oil

Propane

Ammunition

Liquid Bleach

Aerosols

Kerosene

Pool Chemicals

Chemistry Sets

Fireworks

Motor Oil

Paint Thinner

Cleaning Fluid

Acid

Darkroom Chemicals

Pesticides

Motor Oil

Gasoline

Charcoal

Lighter Fluid

The items above will need special equipment to handle, so make sure to talk to your moving company to assess how best to handle the moving of these items.

Perishable Items

Make sure to check with your moving company before packing perishable items whether or not they move them as many times this is not allowed.

Heat sensitive items

These items are often overlooked but are very important to remember! Candles, CD’s, computers and electronics are all things that should be considered before throwing in a box.

Items with high value

This is pretty obvious, but you should always consider the items that are most expensive and keep them with or close to you to prevent any loss or theft. Also, high value can mean high in sentimental value in addition to monetary value.

Moving is always a fresh start, a new beginning and overall wiping the slate clean for many. However when we are forced to moved, such as in the case with a foreclosure, life can not only be dauntingly emotional, but quite plainly pretty ugly. Avoid foreclosure with the tips provided below:

Make up those payments. If you are one of the many Americans that is behind in their payments, talk to your lending institution and asking for forbearance, or working out an affordable payment plan.

Missed payments spread out over long term Lenders may let you add a divided amount on top of the monthly payment that you already owe to pay back a behind amount. This is called a repayment plan.

Forgiving a payment If you can agree on a way that you will be current after missing payments (and don’t have the means to pay it back) your lender may give you a break and waive your obligation, or also known as debt forgiveness.

Back payments added to your loan balance. If you have good or acceptable equity and meet the lenders lending guidelines, the lender may increase your loan balance to include the back payments. This is called refinance.

Change the terms of your loan. If your mortgage is an adjustable loan, the lender might freeze the interest rate before it increases or change the interest rate to a more manageable rate for you. This is called a note modification.

Make a separate loan to you Government loans sometimes contain provisions that let borrowers who meet the criteria apply for another loan—which will pay back the missed payments. This is called a partial claim.

1. License and Registration

As a new resident to say, California, you must change over to a new California license in 12 days of moving otherwise try getting pulled over and getting slapped with a great big fine! Other states have similar laws. If you arent sure where to contact your nearest DMV or for that matter what the rules are, check out the private, not government website. A great resource for checking in on all of the rule.

2. Change of Address

Not only do you want your magazine subscriptions but you need all of your important mail forwarded to your new home as soon as possible! Get that change of address in from the nearest Post Office,  or here online

3. Register to Vote

Whether you are a political nut or not, being able to vote on an election or issues that matter to you are essential for getting involved in your community. Check out this site to vote on important issues in your new community

What you know from moving in the past or from reading this blog, is that moving can be daunting, and has a big need for organization. The minute that you decide that you are going to move, is the minute that you can begin the process. Below are a few key elements to remember and to implement in your moving process.

Talk talk talk. Talk to your moving company, talk to your family, talk to your friends, talk to your job (whether relocating or moving to a new job). Communication keeps relationships with people open flowing and healthy, use this element the same here. Treat your move like a relationship. When the people in your life know exactly what, where, when, who and why the process becomes free flowing and much easier to transition in and out of.

Talk to your new and old electric companies, your new and old landlords, make sure that everyone that you are financially obligated to has a full understanding of your payment plan, day of shut off or turn on, etc. You don’t want to be paying for utilities you are not using….or to not have them when you arrive from a long arduous trip.

Make a moving checklist that you hand out to all family members. This list will have individual tasks and overall goals and deadlines that the family will need to abide by. Organization is the key to a successful and stress free move. If you have young children you can have them begin sorting toys and books out at this stage, to help you pack them up when moving day approaches.

The key rule in packing? It’s never too early to start packing. Continue packing each day if you are moving yourself, or readying your house for the movers.

Having everyone that will be impacted by this move in full understanding of the agenda and timeline will not only save you stress, but save you money. Pack and organize early, to fully prepare yourself for the big day.

Searching for a new residence can be stressful and time consuming. Creating a “must have” list not only eliminates houses efficiently, but will set you up for success for the duration of your stay.

1. Know Your Lease: As a renter, in most cases you are not protected by the leasing laws of the local government, but rather by your signed lease. Because of this reality, it is incredibly important that you take time to read over your lease, ask for clarity where needed, and ask for changes (using your tenancy as leverage) where you believe things may be unfair or not make sense within the lease itself. Do not settle a change in the lease in the form of a verbal agreement. If you do this there is no way of proving this agreement in the event that you need it. Don’t be afraid to protect yourself and get any changes and agreements in writing.
2. Know What Needs to be in Writing: Certain items that are often left unclear and left out of the lease should be addressed and added into the agreement. Particularly, things like lawn care. Who is going to maintain the grass and landscape? Is there a lawnmower provided? Are you paying for lawn services? Sometimes there are laws against leaving your lawn unkempt so clarifying this will prevent any surprises. Also, clarifying who is to fix and pay for large appliances in the house that are already provided. Payment and method to dealing with these in the event they break is essential. Lastly, privacy rights. Many people assume that the landlord must give at least 24 hours, written notice in order to enter the premises. This again, is not always true—only if it is included in the lease agreement.
3. Know Your Rights: According to the Fair Housing Act it is Illegal to discriminate against applicants because of race, sex, religion, ethnicity, mental or physical disability or family status. However, if you are denied due to your financial, job, references, or income status this is completely legal.
4. Know the Terms of Your Security Deposit: Protect your money! Renters most of the time are walking into a previously lived in home so keeping track with a written report of your findings in the house should definitely be your first move. Next you should walk through the area and take pictures of the entirety of the apartment so that any previous damage is noted in the photos. Make sure that you are not using a digital camera but rather a 35mm. This is generally the only type that will hold up in court because of the date inscription (digital cameras can be changed)
5. Know About Renters Insurance: Important! Worth it! Renters insurance protects you against unexpected tragedies such as fire, flood, robbery, etc. Being able to have your things protected will not only save you money but let you sleep a little easier at night.

We hate hearing stories about moving scam companies! Stay proactive and informed to avoid this happening to you!

To help you out we have provided a list of questions you should ask and know before requesting services from any mover.  These are your Rights and Responsibilities furnished by your mover as required by Federal Law.

• What is my mover’s normal liability for loss or damage when my mover accepts goods from me?
• What actions by me limit or reduce my movers normal liability?
• What are the dangerous or hazardous materials that may limit or reduce my mover’s normal liability?
• Should my mover have agents?
• What items must be in my movers advertisements?
• How does my mover handle complaints and inquiries?
• Do I have the right to inspect my movers tariffs applicable to my move?
• Must my mover have an arbitration program?
• Must my mover inform me about my rights and responsibilities under the Federal Law?
• What additional information does my mover provide for me?
• How does my mover collect charges?
• May my mover collect charges upon delivery?
• May my mover extend credit to me?
• May my mover accept charge or credit card for payments?