Moving

A move is challenging enough when it's just you, but moving with kids or pets makes the experience even more daunting. Our real estate agents suggest following these tips to make moving as easy as possible for the whole family. 

• Help Them Understand What to Expect
  Children may have a lot of concerns when they learn that they're moving; explaining to them what they can expect during the move can alleviate their worries. Give them ample notice about the move. Ideally, you should discuss moving with them when you start looking at Richmond homes for sale or when moving becomes a likely possibility for your family. Explain to your kids what will happen during the move and how their stuff will be safely transported to their new home. 

• Gather Moving Day Essentials
  Have your kids set aside any items that they want to keep with them during the move, like special toys or favorite stuffed animals, along with clothing and personal care items. They should also pick out a few activities to keep themselves entertained, like art supplies, a game, or a book. If you're moving with pets, assemble a moving kit for each pet that includes a leash or crate, food, a water and food bowl, toys, bedding, and anything else you might need to keep them comfortable.

• Include Your Kids in the Move
  Children like to feel included, and moving is no exception. See that your kids feel included in the move by showing them pictures of their new rooms or even taking them to see their new home in person. Invite your children to brainstorm how they want to set up or decorate their new spaces. Encourage them to learn about their new neighborhood or city and find activities that they want to participate in or places they want to visit. 

• Have Children Go Through Their Stuff Before Packing
  Suggest to your kids that they go through their stuff and get rid of items that they no longer use or want. This will reduce the amount of stuff that they have to pack and ensure that unnecessary clutter isn't transported to your new house. 

• Host a See You Later Party
  A See You Later party is an opportunity for kids to say "see you later" to their friends and exchange contact info (like phone numbers, email addresses, or whatever you're comfortable with them using). You can also take a few photos of your children and their friends so that they'll have recent photographs to put up in their room. 

• Recruit Help for the Move
  Whether you're handling the move yourself or outsourcing the job, there's a lot that needs to be done on moving day. Consider arranging an outing with a friend, recruiting a family member, or hiring a babysitter to get your kids out of the house and keep them entertained. This also applies to pets; with so many people entering and exiting your home, this can make moving a stressful experience. You might see if your pets can stay with a friend for a day or two or even utilize a pet daycare service. 

With a little planning and preparation, it's possible to minimize moving-related stress for the whole family. Ready to start searching for your next home? Contact us today!

The key to a successful and affordable move is to plan ahead. This way, you can start saving and budgeting well in advance of your moving date. But what expenses do you need to account for as you plan your move? Our real estate agents list some often-forgotten moving expenses below.

• Moving Insurance
  When you hire a moving company, they generally charge you a base moving fee, plus additional fees for extra services like furniture assembly or appliance prep.
  
  One extra fee customers don't always account for is the cost of moving insurance. Most moving companies include a certain amount of insurance by default, but it's often wise to pay for additional coverage, especially if you have valuable items. Your moving company should be able to give you a quote for this insurance based on the value of your possessions.
  
  
• Equipment Rental
  If you're moving things yourself, you may want to rent a dolly or moving straps to make carrying heavy items easier. You can rent these items from a local moving truck rental service. (Don't forget to account for the cost of renting a moving truck for your DIY move, too.)
  
  
• Vehicle Shipping
  If you own more than one vehicle, you may need to drive one to your new home and have the other one shipped. Get quotes for vehicle shipping well in advance of your move. You'll often get a better rate if you book this service early.
  
  
• Overnight Stays
  If you're moving a long distance, it might take you more than one day to drive to your destination. So make sure you budget for a night in a hotel as you calculate your expected moving costs. Even if you stay at a friend's house along the way, there may be costs involved, such as the cost of eating dinner out that night.
  
  
• Dining Out
  When you're busy packing and moving, you'll probably eat out or order takeout more often than usual. As such, it's wise to budget for a few extra restaurant meals around the time of your move. The earlier you prioritize unpacking your kitchen items, the lower the cost.
  
  
• Packing Supplies
  If you are packing yourself or doing the whole move yourself, you will need lots of packing supplies, including boxes, tape, and packing peanuts. You can save money by reusing packing supplies that friends may have, but make sure you still budget some funds for these materials. You can never have too much tape or too many markers.
  
  
• Child Care
  If you have children, you may want to hire a sitter on days you're doing most of the packing. Even if a family member or friend is willing to watch the kids, it's nice to give them some cash as a "thank you."
  
  
• Gasoline
  Whether you're driving a moving truck or just your personal vehicle to your new home, be sure to account for the cost of fuel. You'll probably use more gas than usual, making trips to the store for moving supplies, driving to the truck rental place, and driving to restaurants, too, so a little extra wiggle room in the budget doesn't hurt here.

When you set a moving budget ahead of time, there are fewer surprises along the way. If you happen to still be looking at Richmond homes for sale, don't dismay. We're confident you'll soon find the perfect place and start planning your move. Contact us if you'd like some assistance on your homebuying journey.

Coordinating the logistics of a move is rarely an easy task, which is why our real estate agents are always trying to offer tips to make things as easy as possible. In our experience, renting a storage unit can help make things significantly easier during the home sale and moving process. However, many of our clients wonder if the benefits are worth the expense. If you're planning on moving soon, below are 5 ways renting a storage unit can make your life a lot easier.

• You Can Protect Your Belongings
  The chaotic nature of a move often leaves many concerned about the safety of their special belongings. Whether it's furniture, art, or keepsakes a storage unit gives you the opportunity to relocate your most important assets before the move begins. This can ultimately prevent them from being lost or damaged by the movers.
  
  
• Easier To Stage Your Home
  Decluttering your home and removing personal items is an important part of the home staging process. We often recommend sellers create a neutral environment that enables potential buyers to see themselves in the space. For some great staging examples, check out these Richmond homes for sale.
  
  During the home staging process, you may want the option of quickly relocating furniture or decor. A storage unit offers an alternative to cramming everything in the corner of your basement.
  
  
• It Will Be Easier To Downsize
  Deciding what items can stay and what can go often makes downsizing difficult. If you're planning to move into a smaller home, a storage unit can allow you to downsize on your own terms. Instead of being under pressure to get rid of a ton of things at once, a storage unit gives you that extra space to hang on to your belongings and part with them incrementally over time.
  
  
• You Can Manage The Gap Between Closing Dates
  Aligning closing dates is one of the most difficult aspects of buying and selling a home at the same time. If the closing dates of your current home and future home don't align, you may want to consider temporarily storing your belongings in a unit while you rent an apartment or stay with a family member.  A storage unit can also help ease the pressure of finding a new home within a set time frame. Knowing you have a storage solution as a backup plan, you can take your time when searching for the perfect next home.
  
  
• Storage Units Are Affordable
  Many people are understandably concerned about the cost of a storage unit, but they are usually affordable. A storage unit typically costs anywhere from $100 to $300 per month, and the rates are usually based on location and unit size. In most cases, you can rent them on a month-to-month basis.

Moving is often one of the most stressful events in life, but a storage unit is a great way to make things a lot easier. For move moving tips, contact us today.

A new home is the perfect blank canvas for creating the life you envision. Before you can turn your new home into your dream space, you need to ensure that you're starting with a clean canvas. Though most home sellers clean their homes before they move out, our real estate agents still recommend cleaning prior to unpacking.

Follow these tips for deep cleaning your new space.

1. Gather Your Supplies
   Before you get started cleaning, take a few moments to gather everything you'll need for the job. You may want to pack your cleaning gear in a separate moving box so that you know where it is and can easily access it. Here's what you should have on hand:

• • A vacuum cleaner with a wand attachment (and an extension if possible)
  • Cleaning rags
  • Broom
  • Mop and mop bucket
  • Your preferred cleaning products

2. Start at the Top of Your New Home
   Even if the floors in your new home look like they need the most attention, you should clean your new digs from top to bottom. This will ensure that dust and dirt don't fall onto your floors after you've already cleaned them. Begin by dusting the ceiling fans and light fixtures. Dust around the perimeter of each room for cobwebs. Don't forget the tops of your cabinets and appliances! A vacuum cleaner attachment with an extension is one option for cleaning these high-up spots. Or, depending on the design of your home, a ladder may be necessary. Then, dust the windows, any window coverings, and any built-in units or shelves. Your vacuum cleaner attachment is super handy for getting into these spaces. Tackle your cabinets, counters, and baseboards before moving onto the floors. Check that you clean the interior portion of your cabinets so you have a clean spot to house your belongings. If there are any areas with leftover odors from the previous homeowners, mix a solution that consists of half vinegar and half warm water. Use a wet rag to wipe down the offending surfaces with the solution. Should you spot any areas with set-on gunk, you can let the solution sit for a few minutes.

3. Change the Home's Air Filter
   A clean air filter is essential for providing your new property with clean air. In most homes, the air filter should be changed every 3 to 6 months. When you change the filter, make sure you dust the grates surrounded your filter. You can do so with a damp cloth. 

4. Consider Steam Cleaning Your Floors
   While vacuuming or sweeping your floors will remove the dirt, dust, hair, and other debris, these tasks won't remove all the allergens. Consider cleaning your carpets and floors with a steam cleaner. You can often rent a steam cleaner at your local grocery store. Make sure you let your carpets dry before bringing your furniture inside. There are also steam cleaners available for hard surface floors, like laminate and tile. Some steam cleaners even have a brush attachment that you can use to thoroughly clean the grout. 

Want to start looking at Richmond homes for sale that are ready for you to move in? Contact us today to get started!