Moving into your first place is exciting. Lots of new things to experience, being away from home or the dorms for the first time is important to organize, plan, budget and savor the experience. Here are a few things to consider.

How Much Can You Spend Each Month on Rent?

This first step is the most important. The brutal reality question is–can you afford to move to your first apartment? A lot of new renters may not know exactly what paying bills involves. It includes more than rent–you need to consider your electricity, parking, transportation, cable, water, trash, telephone, HOA (homeowners association). Also, you need to look at your personal costs. Entertainment, food, gas, etc. If you need to know how much that might be, then write down everything that you currently spend on each of these. For the things you haven’t spent yet, like utilities, check out the average cost of them in your state or call your local utilities companies to get an average estimate for the size of apartment you are looking to rent.

Additional Costs

Rental Deposit

Most apartments/houses for rent require both first months’ rent and last months’ rent when you sign the lease. So even before you move-in, you’ll already need double the amount you’ll be paying each month. Also, to be safe, you should always have at least three months worth of rent and living expenses in your savings account. This protects you should any emergency arise, such as unemployment, illness, etc…

Security Deposit

This varies from building to building. Some places will require anything from $500 to an additional months’ rent. Ask before you sign the lease. Also, make sure you’re clear on what is considered damage versus day-to-day wear and tear.

Pet Deposit

If you have any pets, a pet deposit is becoming more common. These monies are in place to pay for any damage or loss of revenue to the building owner due to animals on the property. Again, ask your landlord what they consider “damage or loss of revenue” to ensure you receive the full amount when you move out.

Settle In

There are so many things you’ll need in your first home. These things may seem small and trivial, but their costs can add up quickly. Go through each room and think about the things you need on a daily basis. For the kitchen make sure you include small appliances, pantry supplies, spices (these really add up), dishes, flatware, towels, soap, dish rack, food staples, pots and pans, containers, garbage can, etc…

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.

No matter what the circumstances or situation moving can be tough and always seem to be at a bad time. There are a number of factors to consider when it comes to making a move and getting out of dodge. Before you hastily pack up some boxes and get into a new place, make sure that you are moving the best time for you and/or your family.

When we are talking about kids we are talking about a school schedule: their life. Kids do really well on schedules and given expectations and routines. Taking them straight out of their routine at school and then tossing them into a completely new schedule can be daunting and painful for a child. If this sounds like you, consider planning your move around the school calendar so that your kiddos can have the least amount of pain and transition with ease. Summertime is a great opportunity to move with kids, as for the most part there is good weather nationwide and they are out of school.

A time NOT to move would be on holidays. Christmas, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving or Ramadan is all holidays that include family. Use them to spend time with family, not to pick up your life and shift. Not to mention that resources and people are just not readily available these dates. Instead, why not move right after a holiday to make the holiday itself a time of goodbyes and farewells to family and friends. It is important to plan this special time for yourself and the people in your life that you care for most.
Another less ideal time to move would be wintertime. Besides the obvious: snow storms and blizzards, hail and wind, wintertime has a slew of other issues when moving. Factors like your items freezing/getting damaged because of the weather are a large risk when moving at this time. Also, when you consider what kind of freezing and thawing process may happen as a result of climate change from one location to the next, ultimately resulting in water damage.

No matter where you move or what you have to take with you, taking the time to consider the dates of your move could be the breaking point between a successful move and a disastrous attempt.

Green property management? The answer is yes! As the world turns to more and more sustainable ways of living and functioning now is a perfect time to just on the Green train. There are more resources than you may think the next time that you are looking for a place to live and want to commit to living green in every way. Follow this simple list of important clues as to how you can maximize your renting experience in the Eco world.

Property Management/Landlord Green Credentials

There are a number of landlords and property management companies that have gone the extra mile and gotten a certification into the green world. The National Apartment Association Education Institute offers a Credential for Green Property Management. The program was designed to educate and implement more sustainable practices within the renting world.

GreenRenter.com

Although many people will turn to the fortune and fate of Craigslist (and this is a fabulous site if you don’t have such specific expectations) on GreenRenter.com you can find a home or apartment that is truly green and that you can feel good about. It offers both residential and commercial rental listings in the US and Canada. Although the cities offered in the US only add up to 8, they are large enough to get a giant ball rolling that may forever change the way our nation rents property.

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.

One of the major relationship milestones that couples inevitably face is taking the leap into co-habitation. In order to prepare for this landmark, there are a number of considerations to make when it comes to combining the many aspects of your separate lives.

Pack and Plan – Before the big move, make sure to pack appropriately. Go through the items you have and decide what you can part with and what you need to invest in. Most importantly, discuss the big items like furniture. Decide before you move in together whether or not you really need the second sofa. Be realistic about what you can and cannot leave behind. Take advantage of old furniture by turning it into a profit and selling it.

Time and Space – Moving in with a significant other can become smothering if you don’t make time for yourself. Make sure to make and keep plans with friends and schedule activities and outings to keep your own individual life active. The same goes for within the apartment, keep certain space to yourself. Even when sharing a small studio, having a closest or designated area for your personal belongings will help maintain a certain level of independence.

Finances – Are you going to combine bank accounts? Sit down and figure out who will pay for what.  Whose name will the utilities be in? Figuring out these details prior to the move will make the big move in day and subsequent transition easier.

Responsibilities – Like any roommate you may have had in the past, this one is no different in terms of taking care of duties around the house. This includes cleaning the bathroom, doing the dishes, and a wide assortment of less-than-desirable tasks. Make sure you rotate and take turns in terms of who handles what, so one person isn’t stuck resenting the other. Turn cleaning time into quality time by setting aside a couple of hours on the weekend to get things done together.

Keep Things Exciting – When living with someone, it can take a certain level of excitement and mystery out of the relationship. Make a consistent effort to expand dates beyond the couch, and even designate certain date nights that involve an exciting night out on the town. Try new things, visit new places, take a class together. This will help your relationship to continue to evolve as you are challenging yourself and continuing to learn new things about each other.

There is no getting around it: pets are like family. And only taking the best care for them will do, so make sure that you have taken precautions and prepared for their departure as well as yours to assure that their move as well as yours is smooth and painless.  Check out the tips and insights into pet care while traveling:

• Make sure your pet is wearing identification and any required license tags in case they get lost.

• Ask your veterinarian for a copy of your pet’s medical history to take with you, and be sure all shots are current.

• Shortly before the move, your pets may become nervous because of all the unusual activity. Keep a close eye on them; stress may cause them to misbehave or run off. Consider looking into some holistic remedies for calming.

• When you move, take along a health certificate and a rabies vaccination certificate. The health certificate, signed by your veterinarian, says your pet is in good condition. The rabies certificate states when and where your pet was vaccinated.

• Look into the state that you are moving to and make sure that you are prepared for a quarantine period. In many cases your animal will need to be put into quarantine from anywhere from 30 to 120 days before you can take them home.

• After the move, give your pets time to adjust to the new neighborhood. Don’t let your pets roam freely until they learn where new “home” is now to avoid losing them.

• If you pet has an ID implant, remember to have updated contact information.
Follow these tips to make sure that your move is smooth and less stress on your loved ones!

Moving boxes seem to be everywhere. In your storage closet, all around stores and retailers, they just seem to be accessible in all places. However before you move, when you are planning to get your things packed and ready to go, you can’t seem to find a box to save your life. What is this phenomenon all about? And the better question is: where do you find the boxes once you realize that you need them?

Below are a few ideas on where you can find moving boxes, along with some insights into them.

Store Boxes

Check your local grocery store, liquor store or even department store for boxes. Most companies will just leave their boxes outside for people like you, desperate for moving materials. So make sure to coordinate or call with an owner or manager of a store to make sure that you are coming at the right time. You don’t want to make a scene ripping the boxes out of other people’s hands. This is one of the most cost effective ways to find moving boxes.

Online Retailers

Most people believe that because there are moving boxes out in the world that have already been used and are sitting in some pile, which they shouldn’t be paying for a set of boxes. Well the response to that is that you are correct and not correct. If you buy new boxes, you are guaranteed to have the sturdiest box that a new box could have. However if you buy a slew of new boxes not only is this not cost effective but is also not environmentally friendly. Either way you choose there are pros and cons. And that brings us to our next category.

Used Moving Boxes

There is always the Craigslist ad for 100 free moving boxes for free, or for a couple of dollars. In fact this is an excellent way to get RID of the boxes that you are not using after your move and are settled into your home.  It is also a way to get a slew of boxes all together and also a great way to save money. Once you go and pick them up make sure that you sort through the bad boxes that look like they are going to rip and tear. It would be such a sad sight to see your personal belongings shattering on the ground. Make sure also that once you get home; build your boxes with strong moving tape to keep them reinforced.

It is hard to leave behind certain things when you are moving. But unfortunately it is necessary, whether you need to because of space issues or just because you would like to start anew.  One of those items that people must consider in their own homes is whether or not to bring their light fixtures.  Obviously fixtures such as lamps should go, but more complicated areas, such as fixtures that have been installed.

Like with anything that you are considering to chuck when you move, ask yourself the simple yet effective question series:

Do I love it? This is the first line of defense. If you answered no, then chuck it/donate it and move on. Its as simple as that. Someone else may enjoy them just fine. If yes, then answer question number 2 before making a decision.

Is it replaceable? If the answer is no, and you answered yes to question #1, then it sounds like taking them would be a fantastic answer. If the answer is yes, then know that you may be just fine buying a new fixture somewhere else.  Bottom line is that if its replaceable, isn’t too special in the first place.

Does it have sentimental value? This is the take it or leave it last line of defense. If no, then consider your past answers to the other questions  and make a collective decision. If yes, then go for it!

When removing a light fixture make sure that you have either a professional helping you as to avoid electrocution and also to avoid damage to your items. Also, make sure that you have consulted people like Real Estate Agents and land lords to assure that you are not leaving anyone high and dry with your take along items. Enjoy!