Do you want to sell your house as fast as you can for as much as you can? REALTORS® and home staging experts agree: staging your home should be at the top of your checklist. A big part of this process entails removing excess items and furniture. The inevitable question becomes, “Where do I put my stuff?”

It’s tempting to stuff everything you own into a closet or a spare bedroom, but even a single unorganized space could turn off buyers. For many years, the common solution to this problem was renting a storage unit. This was not convenient, and definitely time-consuming. You had to rent a truck, load it, unload it, and then subsequently do it all over again when you moved into a new place.

Fortunately, there’s a better option. With a portable storage solution, a driver will drop off a storage container at your house, and you can load it at your leisure, without the added pressure of having to get a truck back by the end of the day.

Driving is included

Once you’ve loaded the container, it will get picked up and driven to a storage facility by the portable storage provider. When you are ready for your container again, it will be dropped off at your convenience. This means you only have to load and unload once without worrying about renting a truck or borrowing one.

Built-in flexibility

While you’re staging your home, you might want to try different furniture arrangements or add or remove items. A portable container is convenient because of the flexibility. You can either easily access your container in a nearby storage center, or your container can be dropped off at your property if you need to retrieve some items or add to them.

Most real estate professionals recommend keeping the container at a storage facility, so your property will look tidier and more spacious. This also allows potential buyers to envision themselves more easily in your home.

Storage plus moving

If you’re moving out of state or long-distance, some containerized moving companies, such as PODS, can move your container to your next residence. PODS services 46 states and can even move containers to and from Hawaii and across the Canadian border. This means you can store and move with one solution, which can be very convenient to sellers.

Selling a home and moving is a stressful proposition in any circumstance. Portable storage is a smart solution to help you make the process easier. It also allows you to take care of two hassles at once, storing your items and then moving them to your next home when you’re ready.

This guest post was written by . ±Ę°ż¶Ůł§Â® makes moving and storage more convenient and less stressful through its innovative solution of delivering a level container and providing the customer all the time they need to load and unload their container.

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Whatever your reason for downsizing, it’s a process that requires careful planning and savvy storage ideas. The key to your success – and also the hardest part of the process – can be figuring out what to do with all the stuff you no longer have space for. Here are a few helpful tips.

Get a reliable layout of your new home

The first step is knowing how much room you’re going to have by obtaining a layout of your new home, with accurate measurements. Use this to make a list of all the items you’re going to take with you and the ones you’re going to get rid of.

Take note of door sizes and potentially difficult corners that might make it challenging to move large pieces of furniture in and out. If a sofa is too big for a room, it might be better to simply sell or donate it, rather than deal with the hassle of wrangling it into a smaller space.

Donate, give away, or throw away  

Now that you have a sense of what you’re going to take with you, it’s time to figure out exactly what you’re going to do with all your excess stuff. Luckily, there are a lot of options. Check with local thrift stores to see if they’ll be able to take and possibly pick up your items. Check out or the Salvation Army, which also has locations throughout the and . Sometimes, they have regulations about wear and tear so it’s a good idea to do your homework first.

On the , you can give your items away to people who are specifically looking for them. There’s also , if you’re feeling particularly entrepreneurial.

Hire someone

When you’re getting rid of belongings, it can be time consuming having to coordinate pickups and keep track of appointments and viewings. If you don’t have the time or the energy to sell or donate things on your own, you’re in luck. Services may be available in your area that will handle the heavy lifting for you. One of those is called , where you can get up to 80 percent of an item’s worth, depending on the selling price of the item.There’s also a site called , which will send you a box you can fill with various belongings for the company to sell for you.

If you’re looking to get rid of everything, another option is hiring a company to hold an estate sale. Real estate professionals can often help you locate an estate sale company in your area.

Stop storing other people’s stuff

How much of the stuff you own is actually yours? You might not realize it, but you could be stowing away Grandma’s old heirlooms in the attic crawlspace, or your adult child’s baseball trophies and hand turkeys. Call your friends and relatives and ask them to pick up their things or help themselves to the heirlooms you’ve been storing. Politely let them know that you will be donating or getting rid of the items they fail to claim.

Rent a portable storage container

Even after tossing, donating, and selling items, you’ll most likely have items that don’t fit in your new smaller space but are too important or valuable to get rid of. Portable storage containers, such as those offered by PODS, are ideal for belongings that fall in this category.

Whereas traditional self-storage units often require you to rent a truck and make multiple trips back and forth to the self-storage facility, portable storage containers are dropped off at your home and picked up at your convenience. Some portable storage companies even offer long-distance moving, so you can have your storage container transferred wherever you need it.

Store seasonal items elsewhere

Consider using your portable storage container for storing seasonal items, such as decorations, serving dishes, roasting pan, napkins, and other holiday accoutrements.

Do you have sporting equipment that you only use part of the year? Bicycles and skis are often used only seasonally. Similarly, you may only need your backup generator and emergency supplies during hurricane season, or your winter wardrobe, space heaters, and snow shovel during the colder months.

This guest post was written by. ±Ę°ż¶Ůł§Â® makes moving and storage more convenient and less stressful through its innovative solution of delivering a level container and providing the customer all the time they need to load and unload their container.

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With all the hustle and bustle involved in the moving process, it can be easy to forget about the little details that make for a smooth move – like making sure your valuables are protected and you have enough moving boxes.

Here are a few packing tips to help you reduce your moving stress and make sure everything gets to your destination in one piece.

Declutter before you pack

What’s the use of moving old clothes you’ll probably never wear, CDs, DVDs, or old electronics? These items are going to just get in the way. Before you start the packing process, separate old items into three categories: donations, items to sell, and a throw-away pile.

One way to help you decide what goes into which category is by using a few simple rules. Anything that’s damaged should be tossed. If you haven’t used something in six months or more, get rid of it as well. Same with clothes.

If you have an emotional connection to something, but it doesn’t have any practical purpose, consider getting rid of it. Be methodical and make your way through one room at a time.

Clear plastic makes for an easier move

When possible, it helps to use clear plastic storage bins when moving. They’re sturdy, and most importantly, see-through, so you won’t have to hunt around to find what you’re looking for. There are many brands that make see-through bins – try to get ones with strong latches.

Labels are your friends

Label your boxes in large, legible letters so you know exactly where each box belongs in your new place. According to Samantha Raynovich, National Sales Program Manager at PODS Moving & Storage, it’s not a bad idea to number your boxes and keep a notebook inventory of contents. That way, you can keep track of what’s packed.

Pack the right way

Place heavy items in smaller boxes for easier lifting, and put lightweight items in larger boxes. Reinforce the bottom of all boxes with tape and fill to capacity, using paper or bubble wrap to fill the empty spaces. The top and sides of boxes shouldn’t bulge or cave in when closed.

Moving accessories are key. Consider getting moving blankets, moving bands, and moisture absorbers. Your moving company may offer these for sale, or you can purchase them from your local home improvement store.

“Smart packing is an important and often overlooked part of the moving process,” says Raynovich. “Careful planning on the front end can save headaches in the long run.”

This guest post was written by . ±Ę°ż¶Ůł§Â® makes moving and storage more convenient and less stressful through its innovative solution of delivering a level container and providing the customer all the time they need to load and unload their container.

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There are many logistics to think about when planning a move, and your budget plays a key role. The price of the moving company you choose is an important concern, of course, but there are other costs to consider as well. Getting a detailed quote and budgeting for these extra costs ahead of time can help you save considerably on your move.

Comparing quotes

Samantha Raynovich, national sales program manager at moving and storage company , said getting an accurate quote up front will save you money down the road. She recommends asking companies for a detailed breakdown of costs instead of a general quote.

“A detailed quote helps you stay on budget and stress less by taking into account all the costs of your move,” she said. “That way, you don’t have to worry about hidden fees or incurring unexpected expenses later on.”

The unexpected costs of moving

Additionally, there are other expenses to consider while doing your research. Some of these extra costs could include:

• Gas and per-mileage charges
• Storage, lodging, and tolls
• Time spent driving
• Towing your vehicle
• Insurance

Cost vs. convenience

When it comes to moving, however, pricing isn’t everything. Raynovich recommends weighing convenience against price when choosing a moving company.

For instance, you might save a little when using a rental truck, but there may be added stress when you have to race against the clock to get the truck back on time. 

Make sure to consider those little wrinkles and inconveniences that many people don’t anticipate.  Are you confident about maneuvering a rental truck through unfamiliar territory and prepared to deal with potential accidents, parking challenges, and breakdowns? If you hire a moving company and run into an unexpected delay, are there storage options available to you? Conveniences such as having someone else do the driving could save you some hassles – not to mention money – in the long run.

It’s no secret that moving can be stressful, but staying in control of your budget can at least alleviate some of the anxiety. By carefully researching and weighing your options, smart budgeting is a lot easier.   

This guest post was written by . ±Ę°ż¶Ůł§Â® makes moving and storage more convenient and less stressful through its innovative solution of delivering a level container and providing the customer all the time they need to load and unload their container.

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For first-time homebuyers, there can be nothing as scary as the prospect of home repairs. Whether it’s a leaky faucet, a drafty door or a crack in the basement wall, any sign that a house needs repairs can cause new homeowners’ hearts to sink. Although there are many home repairs that are easily within the DIY capabilities of even the most inexperienced homeowner, there are many others that should be handled by a professional.

Knowing that American homeowners will spend more than on home repairs and renovations in 2017, it’s important that homeowners know which repairs they can handle themselves and which ones need professional help.

Making a decision

Homeowners looking at repairs should first stop to consider if they are comfortable with doing the work on their own. Many problems around the house are fixed easily with a little knowledge and practice, but others can be too labor-intensive or complex for the do-it-yourselfer. Homeowners should use their best judgment when evaluating whether to call in a professional contractor. Trying to save a little money can backfire if the homeowner’s DIY efforts end up creating more problems than they solve.

Choosing a contractor

If a professional contractor’s help is required, homeowners need to be careful in choosing one. Some questions homeowners should ask contractors include:

• Can I have some references from past customers?
• Are you fully bonded and insured?
• Can you provide me with an estimate in writing?
• How do you accept payment?

If a contractor is reluctant or unwilling to answer those questions, that should be a red flag for homeowners. Other red flags include if a contractor insists on being paid in cash, or insists on being paid in full before the work begins.

Below is a list of some of the most common household issues homeowners may encounter, along with some tips for helping them make repairs on their own.

No homeowner looks forward to making repairs, but with the right knowledge beforehand they can be properly handled without too much hassle.

This guest post was written by Brandon Cartee, the owner of — a full-service specialty contracting company that helps both residential and commercial buildings throughout North and South Carolina.

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But that doesn’t mean you have to surrender helplessly to rising cooling costs.

Regular maintenance on your unit stands to reduce the energy consumption of your central air unit by anywhere from . To get those benefits, you could enroll in a service program from your HVAC repair technician—but it will cost you. About $150 to $500 a year, to be exact. However, with a few AC smarts, you can do much of the work on your own and save the rest for your summer vacation.

Here’s your checklist for home air conditioning maintenance to keep you cool well before summer highs drive you indoors.

Inside your home

An air conditioner is only as good as the sum of its parts, and for central AC units, that means that both the indoor and outdoor components need to be running like a well-oiled machine. Specifically, here’s what to look for inside your house.

• Change your filters. Dirty filters are a big drain on energy. Changing your filters every four to six weeks makes your unit more energy-efficient and improves its longevity to boot. Clogged filters create extra resistance inside your system, meaning your unit has to work overtime to carry cooled air to you. That extra effort eats up energy—and it can wear down your components over time, shortening the life of your system. Fifteen dollar filter or $500 compressor replacement? You see where we’re going here.
• Check your thermostat. Even your thermostat plays a part in energy performance. For instance, you’ll want to make sure your thermostat settings reflect the correct temperatures. Also, turn your thermostat to the “auto” setting, rather than “on” or “fan.” Keeping the thermostat set to “on” means the AC’s fan is running continuously, rather than cycling on and off, and that can tack on to your energy expenses. If you have programmable settings on your thermostat, find out how to use those, too. Turning the AC off while you’re out for the day could save on your electricity bills!
• Clean your condensate drain line and pan. Your AC doesn’t just cool your home, it reduces the humidity, too. This collects as condensation, which is funneled through the condensate drain line to the condensation pan below. Over time, these pipes can become grimy, bacteria-ridden, and clogged. This reduces the effectiveness of your unit, and can potentially cause water damage, too! To clean the unit, shut off your system, disconnect the drain line, and run a solution of water and vinegar in a 1:1 ratio through the pipe until it runs clean. For really clogged lines, you can allow it to sit in the solution for about 30 minutes. Next, clean out the pan with liquid dish soap and hot water and put everything back. A clean system is a more energy efficient system!

Outside your home

Meanwhile, most AC systems have an external unit as well. Positioned outside your home, these units frequently bear the brunt of pollen, dust, grass clippings, and other contaminants that can clog up your components, impacting overall efficiency. Here’s how to keep yours running smooth.

• Cut back brush around your outdoor unit. Over the winter, grass and weeds can grow around the side of your outdoor unit, restricting airflow to your unit, which—you guessed it!—makes it work harder and consume more energy. Trim weeds and bushes surrounding the unit and move plants and garden beds away to prevent obstruction.
• Clean your condenser coils. The inside of the unit needs to be clean, too, though. Dust, pollen, grass clippings and other debris from outside the unit can collect on the coils, and that can massively affect unit performance—it may drop by some estimates. Your system relies on those coils to condense the refrigerant to a liquid and remove heat from your system. In essence, it’s where some of the real cooling happens. To clean your coils, turn off the power to your unit, and give them a once over with a soft-bristled brush and some liquid dish soap and water. Then spray them clean with a hose—squeaky-clean energy performance!

Is it time for a new AC?

All of that aside, there’s no fixing a truly outdated unit. Many older ACs have very low seasonal energy efficiency ratings, or SEERs. In the 90s, for instance, it wasn’t uncommon for units to be rated with a SEER of around 10, whereas now, that rating doesn’t even clear the minimum standards.

If your unit is fairly old, or you’ve noticed a steady drop off in cooling performance—even after a little tune up—it may be time for a replacement air conditioner. A high efficiency air conditioner can reduce energy consumption by 20 to 50 percent—and you’ll feel the effect on your utility bills. If you do choose to upgrade to a more efficient unit, make sure to go with a system that’s sized correctly for your home. Don’t just get the same size as your last unit—that won’t fix your energy woes if your unit was too large or too small in the first place. No matter how you slice it, taking some preventative steps to improve your AC’s performance means you’ll have one very cool summer!

This guest post was written by Erin Vaughan, a blogger, gardener and aspiring homeowner. She currently resides in Austin, TX where she writes full time for , with the goal of empowering homeowners with the expert guidance and educational tools they need to take on big home projects with confidence.

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As many homeowners know, a bathroom renovation rarely entails just changing a few tiles and calling it a day. Even the simplest projects have many details and moving parts, creating a domino effect of one choice impacting another. One of the most important choices you can make during your renovation is one that can be easily overlooked: the toilet placement. And as if it’s not difficult enough, tile installation, vanity location and shower door choices can all influence your toilet placement. Use these tips to get your space construction ready.

The toilet can be considered the “problem child” of the bathroom because of its unwavering ability to impact all the other design elements. In many spaces, toilet placement dictates the rest of the choices, like whether or not a larger vanity can be accommodated or if certain plumbing can be shifted around. Unless you’re constructing a new build or pursuing a complete remodel, it’s rarely economical to move the placement of existing toilets because major rerouting of plumbing can start in the thousands.

To start, a minimum of 15 inches is needed from the centerline of the toilet to nearby objects. If space allows, 18 inches is ideal for a more comfortable distance. Codes also require a minimum of 24 inches of clear space in front of the toilet, and the more the better. Remember, there’s nothing worse than not being able to circulate freely and not having enough space to get ready in the morning.

When it comes to your bathroom, these minimum dimensions are also handy when choosing a toilet type and size. Toilets come in standard and elongated configurations, with elongated ones typically extending a few more inches into the space and allowing for more legroom. If your bathroom is tight and plumbing allows, in-wall toilets can provide extra space.

No matter the size of your space or toilet choice, one thing is certain, keeping the toilet out of the major line of sight is the most important design tip you should consider. Do your best to make sure the toilet is not the first thing others see in the bathroom. You could also create a separate water closet within the bathroom—this will let multiple people to use the bathroom at once and allow for more privacy. Even a glass divider or half wall breaks up the eye and keeps the toilet tucked away. Make a beautiful shower or a stunning vanity the centerpiece of the bathroom, and you’ll be on your way to a show-stopping space.

What construction tips have you used in your bathroom renovation?

This guest post was written by , an award-winning interior designer in California who writes for The Home Depot. Kerrie is the founder of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab and the author of Home Decor: A Sunset Design Guide. For more research on bathroom renovation options available online at Home Depot, click .

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When selling your home, each room needs to be presented in its best light—even (or maybe especially) the bathroom. Bathroom remodels can be costly, but there are a few easy tricks you can do to turn a ho-hum bath into one that will have potential buyers anxious to move in.

I have a client who knows her bathroom needs freshening up, but doesn’t know how to do so without starting over. Since replacing the vanity wasn’t in her budget, I recommended a few low-cost solutions:

Give it a face lift with a coat of paint

After removing the old knobs, I cleaned the cabinet doors with a liquid sander and deglosser product. It helps new paint adhere to old finishes and is easier than sanding. Of course, if the finish was rough or chipped, then sandpaper would have been necessary.

I chose a two-in-one paint and primer with a stain blocker. Since she’s selling her home, we picked a shade of white that coordinates with the vinyl floor. White  is not only currently on trend, but it’s fresh, bright and appealing to buyers.

To make the vanity front look like one piece, I painted the wall section and trim at the bottom the same color. That way, the first impression is one long, white vanity.

Replace the door hardware

New door hardware is a fast and inexpensive update. Even if you don’t change the finish, swap out the old knobs for new ones. I found pearlized, octagonal pulls that almost replicate the paint color.

Declutter the room

Careful staging of a home helps sell it quickly. Pack away all the clutter, excess accessories and personal items, as you want the buyer to picture their furniture and furnishing in the rooms. Clearing things out also makes rooms and surfaces appear bigger. I packed up my client’s bathroom decor and purchased a few new bath accessories. Now the countertop looks huge!

As an interior designer, I always encourage my clients to redecorate and remodel while they are living in their home. You might as well enjoy the effort, money spent and the results. The best solution to a tired, old bathroom is to replace the vanity and countertop with something brand new. If that’s not possible, paint works wonders!

This guest post was written by , a Wisconsin interior designer who enjoys incorporating her crafting skills on decor projects. Merri writes on both design and crafting for Home Depot.

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Cold weather can wreak havoc on your home. According to the ​, losses from winter weather average around $1.2 billion a year in the U.S. The best way to avoid problems caused by winter weather and precipitation is to prevent them before they happen. Here are five common problems that occur and some tips on how to prevent them:

1.​ Roof leaks and ice dams

Small gaps between roofing materials can turn into big problems in the winter when extreme temperatures cause expansion and contraction. To prevent an ice dam from forming, the DIY experts of ​recommend making sure any gaps in the roof or attic that allow hot air to escape from your home are tightly sealed and closed. During warmer weather, look out for water staining, loose shingles, missing caulk, or nails that extend into an attic space. Cleaning your gutters and breaking up piles of ice that begin to form on your roof will also help prevent ice dams. Call a handyman or add these tasks to your to-do list to save yourself from major headaches later.

2.​ Frozen pipes

When the pipes freeze in poorly insulated areas of your home, the resulting leak can cost thousands of dollars to fix. indicates that approximately 250,000​ homes suffer severe damage​ due to frozen pipes that burst and cause damage to floors, walls, and furniture. To prevent frozen pipes, recommends keeping your heat​ set to at least 55 degrees, even when you’re not at home. And if you’ll be out of town for an extended period of time, protect vulnerable pipes by adding insulation, opening cabinet doors, or turning off your water.

3.​ Mold

In winter, mold can grow near improperly insulated vents in bathrooms, laundry rooms, or exterior walls, causing damage to drywall and ceilings. suggests using a dehumidifier in problem areas of your house, as well as removing carpeting from any areas that are damp or humid. Inspecting your home for signs of mold can address any air flow problems before they become an issue.

4.  ​Chimney problems

When temperatures are cold outside, creosote begins to form inside your chimney. ​ says creosote is formed when smoke, water vapor, gases, unburned wood particles, hydrocarbon, tar fog, and assorted minerals leave the fireplace and flow up into the cold chimney. Creosote is extremely flammable and without proper chimney maintenance, your home could be at risk of a chimney fire. Examine the exterior of your chimney for any cracks, warping, or discoloration from smoke before winter arrives. Also, get your chimney inspected and repaired regularly to avoid sparking a fire that could destroy your home.

5.  ​Falling trees

Strong winds, heavy ice and snow can cause branches to fall during winter storms. Trees that tend to fall due to ice and snow storms include ​willow, white pine and some varieties of maple. Experts recommend trimming overhanging branches that could damage your home if they fall. Bracing tree trunks with cables attached to stakes around the tree is another common solution.

This guest post was written by ​, the easiest way to find your next apartment. Offering the freshest apartment listings for rent every day to make your search easy.

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What should you be looking for when you start your real estate search and are trying to decide on an agent to represent you as a buyer or seller? And how can you tell which real estate agent will do the best job? Here are the five things to look for when deciding:

1. Testimonials

What better way to learn more about a real estate agent than from people who have worked with the agent themselves? Real estate agents often rely on referrals, which means the best ones get the highest praise from other people. Check out the testimonial section of agent websites to read what previous clients have to say about the agent you’re researching. You can find reviews on , , , and .

2. Personal blog

An agent’s blog should provide important information that contributes to your knowledge of the real estate market and your target neighborhoods. Their posts should be a good indicator of how well they know the community and whether they’re involved in local happenings. If their blog is updated frequently with relevant content, you know the agent is on top of trends and should be better able to assist you

3. Inventory

Inventory, or the number of homes that an agent represents, is a good indicator of how busy an agent is. While a buyer’s agent may not have as many listings as a seller’s or listing agent, this should give you a good idea of how invested they are when it comes to their clients. In addition to current listings, taking a look at sold listings and the history of sold properties (i.e. number days on market, price reductions etc.) should give you a better idea of what and how much they can do for you, if you choose to hire them.

4. Map-based searches

Most agent websites have maps integrated into their listing page, so you can search for homes based on a geographic location. As you browse real estate inventory online, you’ll notice that some agents have invested in more complex mapping technology that allows you to do everything from exploring a neighborhood to creating customized and automated searches. The agents who offer smart tools are the ones to watch.

5. Chat service

Having customer service representatives who are ready to help with questions, requests for information or even to help you schedule appointments is an added bonus. Being able to use a chat service also makes it a lot easier when you’re pressed for time and need an immediate response.

This guest post was written by Alyssa Williamson, a Team Leader at . Headquartered in Toronto and Founded in 2013, ReadyChat serves hundreds of real estate agents and brokerages with their intuitive live chat software comprised of best in class technology and 24/7 live chat-support agents.  

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