Moving in the off-season isn鈥檛 just about saving money; it鈥檚 about having a smoother, less stressful experience. Lower demand in late fall, winter, and early spring means better pricing on movers, truck rentals, and car shipping. Fewer bookings also mean more flexibility, making it easier to secure the dates and services you need.

Whether you move to a new home or work with a seasonal relocator to , the right off-season window allows you to control pricing and scheduling more effectively.

Lower Moving Costs When Demand Drops

Moving during the summer comes at a premium. High demand drives up prices for movers, truck rentals, and storage units, making it the most expensive time to relocate.

Once peak season ends, prices drop, creating an opportunity to save big. Moving companies when business slows down, making off-season moves more budget-friendly. Truck rentals are also easier to find, often at reduced prices.

Storage units, which fill up quickly in the summer, have more availability and may even offer off-season discounts. Since fewer people are booking moves, you can also avoid extra fees for prime scheduling slots, giving you more flexibility without the added cost.

How to Create a Moving Budget

Moving costs can add up fast, but a little planning helps keep expenses in check. To avoid surprises, break down your budget ahead of time:

• List every expense upfront. Include moving services, truck rentals, packing supplies, transportation, storage, and utility deposits.
• Compare multiple quotes. Get estimates from movers, car shipping companies, and storage providers to find the best deal.
• Account for travel costs. Factor in gas, hotels, meals, or flights if moving long distance.
• Set aside an emergency fund. Unexpected expenses like repairs or last-minute supplies can occur.
• Look for discounts. Military, employer relocation assistance, and off-season promotions can save you money.

A budgeting app or simple spreadsheet makes tracking expenses easier. A notebook and pen work fine, too!

Increased Scheduling Flexibility

One of the biggest perks of moving in the off-season is having more control over your schedule. Peak-season demand often means movers are busier, juggling multiple jobs daily, which can lead to delays and limited availability.

When demand slows down, scheduling becomes far less stressful. Movers have fewer clients, making it easier to secure precise pickup and delivery windows. Rental trucks and storage containers are also more available, so there鈥檚 no need to book months in advance.

If unexpected delays occur, rescheduling is usually much simpler and often doesn鈥檛 incur extra fees. Moving during slower months gives you more breathing room, making the entire process feel more manageable.

Best Times to Move for Lower Costs and Fewer Delays

Moving costs and availability fluctuate throughout the year, especially in high-demand areas like Florida, Arizona, and Texas. Certain months see a surge in relocations, making it harder to secure affordable rates and flexible scheduling.

• Avoid peak moving seasons. Late fall (October to December) sees an influx of retirees and seasonal movers heading south, while early spring (March to April) brings increased relocations as people return north or move before summer rates climb.
• Choose budget-friendly months. Winter (December to February) is the most cost-effective time to move, though weather can be a factor in colder regions. Late fall (October to November) also offers lower costs and better availability.
• Book in advance for long-distance moves. Even in the off-season, early reservations for movers, storage, and car shipping services help lock in the best rates.
• Consider flexibility in your schedule. Moving just before or after peak months can still provide savings and smoother logistics without the extreme price hikes of summer.

Timing your move strategically can make a dramatic difference in cost and convenience. Strategic planning can also help secure better rates and a stress-free relocation experience.

Consider Getting a Seasonal Relocator for Your Car Shipping Needs

Long-distance moves involve plenty of planning, and figuring out how to transport your car is a big one. Instead of taking on the long drive yourself, working with a seasonal relocator that specializes in car shipping can save time and hassle.

Prices fluctuate throughout the year, especially on high-demand routes in both the U.S. and Canada. Peak seasons, such as late fall and early spring, often lead to higher rates, while off-season months offer better pricing and availability. Popular destinations, including Florida, Arizona, and California in the U.S., as well as British Columbia and Ontario in Canada, tend to see the most demand. Booking ahead and being flexible with pickup and delivery dates can help lower costs.

Timing your car shipment right can make a substantial difference in cost and convenience. Moving outside of peak months can help you secure better rates, faster service, and a smoother overall experience.

Bringing It All Together for a Budget-Friendly Move

Moving during the off-season is a smart way to cut costs and avoid the headaches that usually accompany peak-season demand. With lower rates, flexible scheduling, and fewer logistical hurdles, it creates an easier and more budget-friendly relocation experience. Planning ahead, securing services early, and avoiding high-demand periods can help you get the best deals and a smoother transition to your new home.

The post Off-Season Moving: How to Slash Costs by Timing Your Relocation Right appeared first on Blog | 皇冠体育app.

A nice and tidy home is an instant mood booster. It becomes a space you enjoy living in, spending time with your loved ones, and creating memories.

Organizing and decluttering a home and all its contents is not an easy task. Most only get around to it before selling a home, but with a little bit of innovation and DIY effort, your home organization can look like something out of a magazine shoot.

How does home staging help?

If you are planning to sell your home, it would be ideal to stage it. This creates the perception that the home is lived in without being too personal. This allows home buyers to gain insight into how to use the space provided.

The idea of home staging can be a base for you to start organizing around your home, freeing up space, and getting rid of unwanted goods you held on to for a little too long.

This will be a big project, so start with one room at a time, and make your way around the house, inside and out.

Cleaning up the home and decluttering

Step one is cleaning and decluttering. You will need a few essentials. Cardboard boxes, waste bags, labels, markers, and form sheets or bubble wrap.

Now you can tackle each storage space in the room. Separate everything into three piles: keep, rehome, and toss.

Place the things you want to give away or sell in the rehome box, and everything you want to throw away can be tossed into the waste bags. Clearly mark each bag so that everything is easily identifiable.

DIY Projects for the Home

After organizing the contents of the home, you can take steps to improve the home itself. If you are planning to sell your home, this can improve the market value of your home, if not, it will make your home a more enjoyable space to be in.

Interior Projects

Some of the ways that you can improve the different rooms in your home consist of small tasks that require some effort.

For each individual room, you want to clean up the walls and lighting fixtures. You can consider giving each room a new coat of paint or wallpaper to refresh the aesthetic and feeling of the room. You can also fix up or upgrade any cabinets, faucets, and lighting fixtures that are problematic or outdated.

The furniture you no longer need can be moved into a spare room for the interim, or you can by painting them, reupholstering, or retrimming them for a more updated look. DIY upcycling projects can be a fun way to find new uses for old furniture. Pinterest and blogs have many ideas that you can experiment with and try out for yourself.

Exterior Projects

When you start working on the exterior of your home, you will have to tackle the aesthetics, the storage units, and the garage.

Some focal points of your efforts should be to repaint the outside of your home. This includes the walls, all the external facing doors, and the fences. You can also fix up any holes in your fencing, clear out downspouts and gutters, clean the chimney, and fix up the roof.

Also give some attention to the outside lighting fixtures. Make sure that they are all in working order and clearly illuminate the spaces they occupy at night.

Landscaping efforts

If you want to give a little more love to your yard, you can create a few projects and tackle them one at a time. A DIY garden is an excellent project that can turn into a frequent hobby, and you will be able to grow produce and flowers to use in your home.

If you are someone who loves entertaining, you can consider installing a fire pit or a gazebo in the middle of your garden. A poolside bar and grill area could be a perfect entertainment spot for family and friends to mingle and have fun together.

Curb appeal

This is a phrase that is often used when selling a home. It is when you beautify the outside of your home so that it looks appealing to people coming in to view the house. It gives a great first impression of the property. Curb appeal efforts can also be used to make minor changes to the look of your home.

Some efforts include trimming the grass regularly, pruning trees and shrubs, getting rid of weeds and dead plants, and cleaning up any debris and stains on your driveway or pathway.

What to do with your rehome boxes?

Now that the home has been organized and is aesthetically pleasing, what are you going to do with the boxes that you filled up with items you no longer want anymore? There are two main options: donating them or selling them.

Selling unwanted items

If you have pieces of designer clothing, jewellery, or electronics that are no longer used by your family, you can sell them. There are many online platforms that help you list these items , and you can make a sufficient amount of money from them. There are also options like a social media marketplace, or you can host a garage sale in your front yard. Online sales, however, give you more control of how you sell your items.

Donating unwanted items

If you have a nearby charity, you can donate items like basic clothing, books, and trinkets that they can sell in their thrift stores to generate funds for the charity. This is a fulfilling option, as these items will find homes with new people.

Conclusion

Organizing your home and rehoming unwanted items can feel cathartic. Taking on DIY projects to upgrade your home can feel fulfilling, and it will make the spaces you create more enjoyable for you and your loved ones. This process will take work and time, but with determination, you can give your home a new lease on life.

The post DIY Home Prep: Organizing and Reselling appeared first on Blog | 皇冠体育app.

Does it make more sense to sell your current home to buy a new one, or to simply stay and renovate it?

Investing in real estate, whether by improving your current property or buying a new one, is usually a smart move. However, one of these options may be better for you, depending on your situation.

In this article, we will explore significant factors to consider as you make your choice. Let us get started!

Factors to Consider Before You Decide to Sell or Stay

As we have mentioned, there鈥檚 no one-size-fits-all answer when deciding on a renovation or a sale. If you are currently considering these options, here are the factors to take into consideration:

1.     Costs

One of the most fundamental things to do is compare the costs of renovating your current property with the costs of acquiring a new one.

Gary Hemming, Owner & Finance Director at shares, 鈥淧eople invest in new homes for all sorts of reasons other than finance. However, whatever your primary motivation is in seeking alternative real estate investment possibilities, having a clear picture of how much more or less you will spend on a new investment is an essential first step.鈥�

Some of the costs associated with buying a home are obvious, but there are some hidden costs of home ownership to be aware of, too. For complete clarity on your potential financial commitment, it would be advisable to consult with a real estate, mortgage, and tax professionals.

2.     Legal Requirements

If you鈥檙e thinking of buying a new home or renovating your current one for commercial purposes, this could be considered house flipping, and you鈥檒l need to be aware of the legal risks of house flipping.

Even if all you are doing is renovating your home for residential use, you may still need to obtain certain permits from your local government housing authorities.

3.     Purpose of the Home

Your primary reason for wanting a new home may determine, to some degree, whether to stay or sell. Are you looking for a new residential property, or are you looking to move into a different area? Your decisions should be guided by the specifics of your circumstances.

Gavin Yi, Founder and CEO of, advises, 鈥淚f you have a growing family that needs more room, moving to a significantly larger property may make sense. On the other hand, if you do not need that much more space, making improvements or customizations to your current property may help you save time and money, and you will not have to worry about your family getting settled into a new area.鈥�

If you are doing the opposite, and your family is getting smaller with your kids striking out on their own, you may decide that you need a smaller property with fewer maintenance requirements. Selling your current property for a smaller one would be a smart way to reduce your expenses without having to compromise on your standard of living.

4.     Market Trends

is just as important as the decision to sell it in the first place. Market trends can change rapidly and may easily undermine many of the assumptions you may make or hold in the present.

Charles Platon, Founder at, weighs in with this advice: 鈥淭he question isn鈥檛 only whether to renovate or sell. Whichever option you decide on, there is also the question of timing to consider, as economic factors can significantly affect things like the cost of materials if you decide on a renovation or whether you鈥檒l be able to find a buyer for your home if you decide to sell.鈥�

5.     Lifestyle Disruption

Buying a new property will typically come with some amount of lifestyle disruption. If you want to move to a new area, you may need to consider how things like changing schools or jobs might affect you and your family.

While the emotional and mental impacts of moving into a new area are not always quantifiable, moving house can lead to significant levels of lifestyle disruption. The ease of integrating into a new area, such as with things like finding new schools for your children, making new friends, and so on, should be considered before you decide on a new home.

On the other hand, an extensive renovation to your existing home will also likely take a toll too, as you may have to live with significant amounts of discomfort for a while.

6.     Customization

One of the greatest advantages of renovating your existing home is that you will be able to do it just the way you like. Since you are in control of the entire process, you can modify your space to closely meet your needs and preferences.

If you have a limited budget, you may not be able to afford extensive renovations or customizations after purchasing a new home.

Meanwhile, a custom renovation to your existing home, if done well, may improve its value and bring in more income in a sale or rental down the line.

Rain Yang, Founder & CEO of, says, 鈥淪trategic home improvements are an excellent way to add value to your home. The best part is that these improvements do not always need to be extensive or expensive.鈥�

Final Word

So, should you sell your house and buy another one, or should you stay and renovate the current one? The answer depends on your needs and circumstances. As we have shared in this article, your decisions should be based on your financial situation, lifestyle needs, and market conditions.

Renovating allows for customization and may increase the value of your current home, but it may come with temporary inconveniences. On the other hand, buying a new property offers a fresh start but can be costly. There is no one-size-fits-all solution鈥攚hat is best for you depends on your unique circumstances. If your heart is set on a renovation, you may enjoy taking a look at these summer home improvement projects for some inspiration, and if you enjoyed reading this article, we invite you to read our guide to the must-have features of your dream home.

The post Should You Sell Your House and Buy Another One, or Stay and Renovate the Current One? appeared first on Blog | 皇冠体育app.

Unpacking after a move might seem easier than boxing your belongings and transporting them to your new home. After all, there is less time constraint to get everything and everyone settled. However, the unpacking process comes with its own stressors homeowners must learn to navigate. Here are five unpacking mistakes to avoid when moving into your new space.

1.   Attempting to Unpack in One Day

According to a Forbes survey, of men find moving very stressful. Twenty-seven percent and 23% said packing items and transporting them into a new building are the most taxing parts of the move, respectively 鈥� until they start unpacking.

It is natural to want to unload all your belongings on day one, but you should not try. First, get yourself organized and create a plan of action. This entails going through individual boxes to determine what is staying, going into storage, or what is getting donated or trashed. Avoid putting extra pressure on yourself and unpack at your own pace.

2.   Storing Unpacked Items in the Garage for Too Long

You might store boxes in the garage to make room for walking safely around the house. However, you do not want to leave them there for too long, especially valuables.

Garages tend to be humid and have irregular temperatures, which could , delicate fabrics to be damaged, and electronics to overheat. Likewise, rodents may chew through cardboard boxes and ruin your belongings before they ever make it into the house.

3.   Unpacking Boxes in the Wrong Room

Unpacking boxes in rooms they do not belong is an extra step to moving in. You are also more likely to confuse yourself about where each item goes.

Always bring boxes into the correct space before opening them. Usually, homeowners find it easier to start with the most important three spaces 鈥� the kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms.

Then, go box by box 鈥� and room by room 鈥� to ensure they are exactly where they are meant to be. Doing so will help you avoid traveling with items around the house, looking for their correct location.

4.   Forgetting to Label Boxes

Hopefully, you labeled boxes clearly while packing everything for the move, including what is in the box and which room it is from. However, keeping a marker handy for unpacking is just as important.

For starters, items on a checklist so you know if everything made it over. It is a great way to track what may have gone missing during transport.

Also, you may have to re-mark boxes as you move items around. For example, you want to avoid stacking heavy things on top of valuables or donating or throwing away pieces you intend to keep. Many homeowners find unpacking from a move the perfect time to do one last purge.

5.   Not Taking Photos of Damage

By law, full-service moving companies are required to offer two liability options 鈥� Full Value Protection and Released Value. Therefore, you will want to photograph and maintain detailed records of all broken or lost goods.

The movers will move your belongings under Full Value Protection by default. Although more expensive, movers will be responsible for reimbursing lost or damaged , including jewelry and china. Otherwise, you will need to sign a waiver for Released Value liability, which is free but with minimal protection.

Unpack Your Items Wisely After a Move

Missteps during unpacking can cause a headache after moving. It is essential to take time to organize before diving into each box. Create your unpacking plan and avoid making unnecessary mistakes to get the job done and yourself settled in.

The post Steer Clear of These Unpacking Mistakes with Our Pro Tips appeared first on Blog | 皇冠体育app.

It happens to many families: after a lifetime of kids, a lifetime of memories, and a lifetime鈥檚 worth of stuff, you are suddenly faced with a space that feels too large and cluttered. Sure, your house was the perfect place to raise your family, but do you still need a three or four-chair dinner set? How about that clean, empty bedroom you are no longer using? If you suddenly find yourself with more space than you need, downsizing may be a good idea.

There are many benefits to downsizing your space once the kids leave the nest. First, downsizing helps you avoid overspending on your space. Even if your mortgage is paid off, you are still paying taxes and maintaining the house, and those costs can add up quickly. As you approach retirement, you may welcome an opportunity to reduce your outgoing expenditures.

Second, maintaining and navigating a large, multi-story home will only become more difficult as you age. Downsizing allows you to spend your golden years in a space that is more suited to your needs, both in terms of your health and mobility and the cost of maintenance.

Whether you are in the midst of downsizing or still trying to decide if now is the right time to make the move, these tips can make the process much easier.

Move When You Can

Perhaps downsizing seems far away. After all, it has only been a few years since your kids left home鈥攁nd you are still young and healthy! Downsizing while you are healthy and active is far better than waiting until you are afflicted with physical ailments and forced to leave home. You will have a much easier time packing up your things and moving when you are feeling up for the challenge!

In fact, downsizing does not have to be about your health or physical abilities at all. For many, it is a chance to experience a new and different lifestyle. Owning a home ties you to one location and mode of living (unless you have the resources for vacations or multiple homes). Maybe you moved to the suburbs back when the kids reached school age. Would you like to move back to the city? Have you always dreamed of moving to a beach house or a small town in the mountains? If you set a goal beyond just getting a smaller home, downsizing can be your opportunity to embrace a new chapter of life.

Move with the Future in Mind

When you began your search to find your current home, you likely had a list of wants for your realtor. Perhaps you wanted a home in a good school district, near parks and other 鈥渒id-friendly鈥� amenities.  Now, as you contemplate a local or perhaps a to a warmer climate in search of a downsized space, it鈥檚 time to revisit that checklist. Consider your relocation desires with your newfound freedom and personal preferences taking precedence.

Of course, while you might be excited to begin your life as young, active empty nesters, it is important to keep the future in mind as you find your dream home. Research shows that want to 鈥渁ge in place鈥� rather than move to more accessible living arrangements, so your downsized home might see you through all the stages of your seniorhood. If you are in good health, you do not need to buy a place as if you are severely disabled 鈥� but do consider items that will make it easier to age in place. Look for a single-story home or a condo in a building with an elevator rather than a third-floor walk-up.

Downsize Your Space 鈥� and Your Stuff

Once you find the perfect home, it is time to begin the downsizing process. Moving to a smaller space means keeping only the stuff you need, particularly if you are moving from four (or more) bedrooms to one or two. As you prepare to move, you will find countless pieces of furniture, d茅cor, and general clutter that you can easily live without. Check with your kids for items they want to keep (in their homes, not yours!) and sell, donate, or dispose of the rest.

To simplify the process, take inventory of everything in your home and break it down into three lists:

• Necessary items (furniture, cooking supplies, etc.)
• Sentimental items you want to keep
• Everything else

Give your family and friends the first pick of the third list (without pressuring them), then decide to sell or donate everything else.

Start with the least accessible items in your home 鈥� stuff in the attic, basement, or closets. Starting there will let you get rid of thirty-year-old clothes, spare toasters, and camping equipment that has not been used since the Reagan administration. Once you have caught the bug for getting rid of things you do not need, it will be easier to face items you see every day, like old furniture, pieces of art, magazine collections, etc.

The best time to start decluttering is well before you put your home up for sale, but that is often easier said than done. Things around your home can hold precious and cherished memories, which makes parting with them difficult. If you struggle with letting things go, hire help. Professional organizers can help you get a handle on things and work with you to separate the useful and essential from the extraneous, sentimental, or useless. You can also hire an estate sales company to appraise and sell items like furniture, china, and artwork.

Where Should Your Stuff Go?

After you categorize your items and let your loved ones take their favorites, you may still have more stuff than space. What do you do with the extras? You have three options: sell them, donate them, or throw them away.

Throwing a garage sale before your move is a time-honored way to clear out extra belongings and make a little money. This also gives you a chance to share special belongings with your neighbors and other people in your community.

There is a possibility that you are unable to hold a garage sale due to a lack of time, space, or energy. In that case, it can be best to donate your items to a charitable organization. Organizations like Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity often rely on donations from the public to stock their consignment shops; they are happy to take most items with no questions asked. They may even come to your home for a ! Just make sure to call your local donation center to confirm they accept the items you want to give away.

Once you have tried all other options, it is okay to simply toss your remaining items in the trash or recycling. This is particularly true for worn clothing, small items you plan to replace, or paper items you no longer need. Throwing these things away will give you the freedom to move without extra baggage cluttering your space.

Be Financially Aware

One goal of downsizing should be to have less stuff and more money. Therefore, it is important to consider how a new space will impact your financial future. While it may sound lovely to leave the suburbs and settle in a cute bungalow overlooking the beach, rising housing costs and mortgage rates may make that dream less accessible than you had hoped.

As you look for a new place, try to find something that costs less than the sale price (or at least the equity) of your current home. Make sure you have plenty of room in your budget for your new mortgage payment鈥攐r that you can purchase your new home outright. Do not forget to account for property taxes and any capital gains taxes you might owe as a result of selling a home.

It is particularly important to make careful financial decisions as you downsize if you plan to retire. Retirees are often on a fixed income, making rising property taxes and other costs an unsustainable expense. Downsizing to a place well below your budget can help you avoid trouble when costs creep up.

Ultimately, downsizing is a wonderful opportunity for empty nesters to live a little freer. It is time to find the lifestyle you want, a budget you can sustain, and a space that will remain comfortable throughout your golden years. With these practical strategies in mind, you can navigate the downsizing process with confidence, ensuring a seamless transition to the empty nest phase once your youngest departs.

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Perhaps you鈥檝e recently signed a rental lease or bought a home in an area you鈥檙e unfamiliar with. With the help of , finding the right home is a cinch! But settling in after moving can be a tough process. These resources will aid you with every aspect, from switching your address to meeting friends in your new community.

Making Important Changes

When you move, you have to deal with lots of logistical tasks that pop up! Here are a few of the most important responsibilities that you鈥檒l need to tackle.

• you arrive, you鈥檒l need to contact your local utility providers to set up services like water and electricity in your home.
• Changing your address with the post office should be one of the first on your to-do list.
• Head to the to update your driver鈥檚 license with your new address.
• Make an with a new primary care physician shortly after you move in.
• Check with your real estate agent to see if they offer moving concierge services from companies like or . These types of systems can help you tackle many moving tasks from one platform.

Professional Networking

If you鈥檙e looking for a job in your new community, you鈥檒l want to focus on networking in addition to sending out applications.

• networking events in your new city so that you can start connecting with other people in your field.
• Consider in an online degree program to improve your job prospects.
• Become a of your local Chamber of Commerce for access to additional networking opportunities!

Having Fun

Making friends after moving can be challenging! These suggestions will make it easier.

• to make some new friends? Join an adult recreational sports league!
• If your faith is an important part of your life, start a new church community.
• Should you need more suggestions for social outlets in your new area, ask your real estate agent for their expert suggestions.

Moving marks a fresh start in your life, and it can be very exciting! But at the same time, it can also be very stressful. Thankfully, you can turn to these resources to take some guesswork out of the process.

The post How to Get Involved with Your Community After Moving appeared first on Blog | 皇冠体育app.

Navigating a new city is hard. Moving is one of the most stressful things a person will do in their life. Luckily, our phones make the transition a little easier by having a plethora of apps to download in order to thrive in your new home.

Apps to meet new people

We are social animals. We need people – simple as that. Making friends in your new city will be one of the first things you鈥檒l want to do, and these apps make it so easy to connect with new people!

Meetup

Don鈥檛 just stay at home every night binging your latest TV addiction. Get out there and meet like minded people! Meetup makes it easy to do that. Whatever your interests are, Meetup most likely has a group for it. Whether you鈥檙e into running and want to train for a local race, a reader looking for a book club or an outdoorsman looking for people to hike with, Meetup has kindred spirits just waiting for you.

BumbleBFF

Breaking in new friends is difficult and takes time. Maybe you鈥檙e coming from a place you lived your whole life and knew your best friends since pre-school. When moving to a new city, it鈥檚 natural to want more than just acquaintances. Having a best friend is priceless! This app makes it easy to search for people who have the same idea in mind, genuine friendship. It works just like a dating app. Users fill out a profile and the app will present matches. Users can communicate on the app without sharing their phone number.

Apps to get around

Maybe you don鈥檛 have a car. Or maybe you just need help finding your nearest coffee shop. Whatever you need, these apps will present the information at your fingertips.

Google Maps

This one is a no-brainer. Most of us have this pre-installed on our phones nowadays. It’s easy to use platform makes exploring a new neighborhood effortless. Just by scrolling and zooming you can see what鈥檚 around you or search for something specific, such as restaurants or pet stores.聽

Transit

This app is a bit more specific than Google Maps in that it focuses on ways to get around other than driving yourself. Say you鈥檙e a bike rider. This app shows you where all the local bikeshare stands are. If you鈥檙e trying to catch a lyft, it will provide you time estimates. It also provides numerous options for transportation in the unfortunate event you miss your train or bus after work and need another way home.聽

Apps to make your move easier

Moving is stressful enough. These apps will help make your transition a little smoother and help you get settled into your new routine.聽

Dolly

Think of Postmates, but for moving stuff. Instead of delivering food, they bring your heavy stuff to your apartment and unload it for you. These people are local pickup truck owners who will carefully take care of your heavy lifting for you in their own truck.聽

Updater

If you forgot to forward your mail, or change your address for just about anything, this app makes it quick and easy to update your address. Just a few clicks on this app will save you time from having to track down everywhere you may need to update your information.聽

Walkscore

This is not just a site to determine how walkable a city is anymore. Now it is a convenient app to navigate all places walkable in your neighborhood! You can easily find what you need within walking distance. Or if you are a public transit user or biker, this app adjusts for that too and shows you places you can get to via your choice of transportation.聽

Apps to get to know your neighborhood

It can take a while to get to know a new neighborhood the old fashioned way, just by driving around and getting lost or seeing what you happen upon. Stay in control and quickly learn your way around your new digs with these great apps.聽

Niche

Still looking for a new place to live? Make sure to download this app. It provides tons of information about different neighborhoods such as crime statistics, demographics, percentage of people who rent vs own homes, reviews by locals, and how many people live in a certain area. It will help you quickly narrow down the neighborhoods you want to call home.聽

NextDoor

This is a great app to get to know your local hot spots and neighbors! Discover your new hidden gems from the locals themselves. Find out where the best local pizza joint is. Only local residents can answer questions to ensure that the information is accurate and stays within your neighborhood loop. 

Preparing for your move can save tons of time and stress. Fortunately, it is easier than ever to have information at the tap of your phone with these great apps to help get you situated in your new city. 

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There鈥檚 a lot of things to consider before purchasing furniture. Color, design, quality, and quantity are on top of the list. However, one point that you should keep in mind is how you want them to be delivered. 

When it comes to delivery, pre-assembled or flat pack furniture are two terms you should jot down when purchasing furniture for your new place. Which is better? Let鈥檚 found out.

Pre-assembled Furniture

If you don鈥檛 find yourself comfortable at assembling furniture, then you can rely on pre-assembled furniture. The term says it clearly. This kind of furniture is pre-made and is either handmade or done by machines. 

In other words, this furniture is ready for use the moment it鈥檒l arrive at your front door. You don鈥檛 need to sweat on how to build the unit or possibly harm other people because the item isn鈥檛 assembled correctly. Also, there鈥檚 no need to worry about missing parts and possibly having to wait a couple of days for the company to resend the lost items. 

Although you鈥檝e got nothing else to do with the furniture, you鈥檒l still have to deal with how the furniture would arrive at your place. In most scenarios, you have to pay for some fees that鈥檒l probably cost you more or less 50 bucks. 

Alternatively, you can pick up the furniture from the store to your house yourself, but you have to drive a sizable car. Even so, it can be a hassle thinking how are you going to fit in big furniture through a narrow doorway or carry upstairs yourself. On the contrary, , desks, or seats are pretty appealing for other individuals. Its greatest perk is that the work to-do has already been worked out for you. It鈥檚 one of the best ways to save time, especially for those who have their hands full.

Flat Packed Furniture

If you鈥檙e into creativity, you鈥檒l surely have a do-it-yourself moment with flat-packed furniture. It has many nicknames, such as 鈥榬eady-to-assemble,鈥� 鈥榮elf-assembly,鈥� 鈥榢it furniture,鈥� or 鈥榢nock-down fittings.鈥�

It鈥檚 well-known for its affordability. Its mass production and materials are way cheaper, so that can also be reflected in the final pricing of the furniture. Most of the time, the furniture will be durable as long as you鈥檒l take care and properly maintain them. 

Another advantage of it is that it can be easily customized. If you鈥檙e bored and you find the furniture boring as well, you can dismantle it and easily put each part back together. To add, the furniture itself is transportable. If you wanted to move to another house, you can disassemble the parts, put them flat in a box, transport the box, and rebuild the unit.  

The only drawback of doing this, is that it鈥檚 time-consuming. If you want to save money and you鈥檙e a handy person, everything will be alright. However, if you鈥檙e not into tinkering, the chances are you鈥檒l end up damaging the furniture instead. It鈥檚 also possible to lose some essential parts, making the assembling quite hectic. 

As it鈥檚 self-assembly, you have to follow specific instructions to ensure that you鈥檝e put each part together properly. Otherwise, the furniture might fall apart.  Also, you鈥檙e more likely to need tools like screwdrivers, hammer and wrenches. If you鈥檙e a renter and nobody can lend you these tools, you might end up buying these things, as well.  

Do you know? 

The idea of flat-packed furniture started in 1950. It happened one typical working day of Gillis Lundgren, a furniture designer of IKEA. He had a hard time fitting a big table in his small car so he hoped that he could dismantle the legs and put them back later. Indeed, nothing is impossible. He made it come true, and that鈥檚 how the knock-down fitting, self-assembly furniture was invented. 

Takeaway 

There鈥檚 a need to do self-check before running a furniture-check. If you don鈥檛 have time and you鈥檙e willing to spend a couple of bucks, then you can opt for pre-assembled furniture. Otherwise, you can choose flat-packed furniture. It鈥檚 best for you if you鈥檙e used to moving out often, thinks that doing DIY is fun or is in a tight budget.

Analisse Weathers is a blogger and writer. She mainly writes about home improvement, home renovation, home repairs, and just about anything related to home-related subjects. Analisse loves to write these topics as she aspires to become an interior designer someday. In her spare time, she spends time with her family and friends.

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House relocation can be stressful, time-consuming and expensive affair especially if you have lots of items that need hauling over long distances. However, you can make the process easy by planning and getting help from the right sources. Here are five tips to help when planning a relocation.

Plan Early

When you start preparations early, you have all the time you need to put everything in its right place for the relocation. Make a checklist of things that need to be accomplished each week and give timelines to each activity. Tick each activity that you complete.

Waiting until the last minute might prove expensive, labor intensive and stressful. Do not underestimate the effort and planning required in house removals. Start early to be ready when time comes.

Get Rid of Items You Do Not Need

Do not waste your energy moving things that you do not really need. Before packing everything into boxes and moving, take inventory of everything and categorize items accordingly. Broken furniture, dead electronics that you do not want to have repaired, old clothing and other small items you do not need can be sold at a frugal market or donated to charity. You can also get rid of old cars for cash. This will help cater for part or all your relocation costs. Hire a dumpster to dispose of items that are too old or damaged for donation or sale.

Hire Reliable Professionals

Rather than hiring local labor and a truck, consider movers for the work. Shop around for reliable moving companies in your area. Compare about three before picking one with the best combination of service and price. Do it at least three weeks before relocation so to avoid companies already being booked.

Some of the things you should check include whether the company offers insurance on transit, packing boxes, enough labor to lift the heavy items and well-maintained trucks. Only after checking these areas should you consider the price offered.

Pack everything and Label the Boxes Accordingly

Get sturdy boxes for packing your items. If your relocation company offers to supply boxes, have a look at them before signing the contract. Then, pack items according to the type and label the boxes accordingly. For fragile items, write that they are fragile and show the top side of the box. This prevents mishandling of such items. Where possible, you can write the room where the items are destined for the ease of unpacking and arranging at the correct destination.

If you have hired a professional moving team, you do not need to move furniture in an existing home to make removals fast. After packing to move, you can arrange boxes as per the size, heaviness or how fragile the contents are. This will help the team have an easy time putting everything in the right place.

Send Notices to the Utility Firms

Most utility firms need a fortnight to a month鈥檚 notice before ending the supply contract. Consider sending out these notices as soon as you decide to move out. The reason is that you may be overwhelmed when the relocation date draws near. Remember that you should have cleared your utility bills by the time you are ending the supply contract.

As for the postal services, of the relocation and your new address. This is to ensure that any mail that comes with your name after the relocation is sent to your new address. You should also change the mailing addresses you gave to any subscriptions.

With good planning, professional assistance and the tips discussed above, your home relocation should be easy.

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Whether you are refurbishing your home or moving to a new house, knowing how to get rid of large items in your house and unwanted furniture is a real challenge. , unwanted furniture, and other large items in the house require a good process. In this list, we have indicated some tips that could help you get rid of old items to create space for newer decor in your house.

1. Find out if your waste removal services company would take old large items

Find out if the local trash removal company will take large items. There is a need to do this since most of the time they don鈥檛. You might be lucky and they will pick up all your large items, but you have to let them know ahead of time. You can get this information on their website, but, you may need to call them so that you can make an accurate decision. You don鈥檛 want to drag your old couch to the curb only to have it ignored by the trash collectors; hence, forcing you to drag it back to the basement or garage. Your location also plays a major role in determining whether your waste management company will accept your old large items. At some point, you may have to call and organize for the haul, but remember that could cost you a few bucks.

2. If you are replacing, see if the old item could be hauled away

If you ordered new furniture and modern home appliances, the company you bought from might get rid the old items for you at no cost. However, you need to find this out with them in advance. Usually, they do this for large appliances such as laundry machines, refrigerators, and so on. You can get the right information by checking out the website of the company. Better yet, you can call and confirm what they do with the old stuff once they have delivered the newer ones. Though this might not be the case with most furniture delivery companies, you can make an arrangement with them even at a small cost. The only reason they might consider your offer is so that they can create space for the new items, but still, some companies might want you to create space before they deliver so that they can just come and place the items efficiently.

3. List your old item online

You can list your old items on Craigslist or similar platforms to have them taken off your hands. If you want to get rid of them as soon as possible, you can list the price as free so that someone comes for them right away. Most individuals with a scrap yard like to take such items and , which means you will have created a business for them. However, even if listing items on Craigslist works, you might still find people who show interest but never show up to pick up the items. Therefore, be sure to have a close conversation with the people who show an interest.

4. Place it on the curb with 鈥渇ree鈥� sign

This is the classic move employed by urban dwellers everywhere. If you drag your items to the curb, and you are unsure if the trash collectors will take them, just put a 鈥渇ree鈥� sign on it. When you do this, your item will be gone by the time you are back in the house. Also, you should know that this method can only work in specific scenarios. You can only employ this trick with modern size items which are ready to move. These could be chairs, small tables, small dishwashers, and so on. If you have anything bigger than that, people driving by can not just stop to pick the item and throw it in their vehicle. Also, you may want to put the item in a high traffic area to increase the chances of the item being picked by someone.

5. Donate it so that it鈥檚 picked for free

If your items are still in decent condition, you can donate it to companies that sell used products. Before you consider this option, you need to confirm that the products you are pawning off are in working condition and not too worn-out.

Getting rid of old items might seem like a hard thing to do, but with the right information, you can always employ the proper procedure. If you are moving to a new location, you can talk to the moving company so that they can store some items that you will not need in your new home at a fee. You can donate to increase the chances of your items being accepted. Still, you can find scrap yards to drop your items after informing the person in charge. There are plenty of options for homeowners.

Author bio: Riya is an inspired writer, passionate about traveling, lifestyle and encouraging startups. As a freelancer, she understands the importance of productivity at work. Connect with Riya on twitter, .

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