If you are in the buyer’s market for a home, you are in a great place! Home prices are lower in some areas than they’ve been in decades. That being said, you couldn’t have picked a better time to purchase a house.
In your house hunt, you may have found homes that claim to have an “HOA Fee” in the listing information. Everyone knows that means an extra monthly cost for you, but what exactly is the HOA? That question and more will be explained below to help you in your big decision of becoming a homeowner.
The HOA is the Home Owner’s Association. You can think of it as a club that includes all of the people who purchase a home in your same neighborhood. You are charged a fee to be a member of this “club” and there may even be benefits to having your home be part of an HOA neighborhood.
The HOA will set standards for all of the homes under the HOA’s jurisdiction. These standards or rules must be upheld by all home owners. In exchange for keeping the rules, your home can be protected from unnecessary value loss from negligent home owners. What this means is that rules are created by the HOA in an attempt to keep home values consistent with market value.
An example of a rule you may encounter as a member of a neighborhood HOA could be vehicle regulation. Most HOA’s will regulate how many vehicles can be parked at each home (and furthermore, the duration a vehicle can be stationary). It may seem rigid to control something like cars on your property, when you are making payments for ownership of your home.
However, in this car example, regulation may protect you if you happen to have a neighbor that desires parking cars all over his/her front lawn. In this case, the HOA rule will help set a standard that conforms a community and may keep home values from dipping.
Each HOA’s regulations will differ from another’s so it’s important to understand your prospective home’s HOA before you purchase your home and make it official by calling the movers. So many home owners have resorted to filing a lawsuit with their HOA because of a regulation dispute. Had the homeowner understood all the HOA rules before movers packed up all of their belongings and settled into the neighborhood, these lawsuits would never have been.
Our example on vehicle regulation above is typical, but some HOAs have completely different rules for their neighborhoods. Since an HOA board can decide on any number of rules they desire, home owners are pretty much at their mercy. Some HOAs actually regulate if you can have pets on the premise or if visitors will have to check-in upon entering the neighborhood by showing ID—your movers could actually have to prove that you hired them before they could help you move in!
But some of these things could all be of benefit to you if you find the right neighborhood. Like in these instances above, maybe you are looking for a neighborhood where all the lots only have 1 or 2 cars on them. Or, maybe you want to live in a neighborhood without dogs on the street or barking. Just make sure you research the terms and conditions of the HOA before you decide where to buy.
Moving boxes are essential if you want a good move. They allow movers to transport your items carefully and safely. They also are an inexpensive moving tool, and are sometimes even free.
Moving boxes that are well taken care of are important. You can find small moving boxes for free at the United States Postal Service. This selection is usually specific for smaller items, which may be what you are looking for.
Ask friends and neighbors if they have any moving boxes you can use. You can also have them join you in your search for moving boxes. The more people you have looking for them the better chances you will have of finding good ones.
Use the popular site Craigslist. A lot of people check out the site and may be able to contact you if they have moving boxes they want to get rid of. Craigslist can also be a handy tool because you can post how far you will travel to get them and the size and amount of boxes that will be needed.
movers
Ask your professional movers for moving boxes. Two Man Movers has good quality moving boxes for your disposal. Simply give us a call and we will bring our boxes with us when we come to help you with your move.
Find boxes at different stores in town. Grocery stores have produce boxes that may come in handy if you have lighter items you will be placing in it. You can also find a variety of sized boxes from larger store chains or computer and electronic stores.
Leave your information with larger apartment complex managers. The managers can leave your contact information for new tenants that are moving in who want to get rid of their moving boxes. This can benefit you on your search, and also benefit the complex so they don’t have huge piles of cardboard on the premises.
Begin your search for boxes once you know of your move. Moving boxes can be hard to come by, especially nice ones that will hold your items securely. Be sure to take advantage of your professional movers for help.
Moving boxes play an important role in the moving process. Not only do you store items in the boxes, but you transport items in them as well. The thought of moving with out any moving boxes is almost absurd.
Movers are going to be moving your boxes back and forth, from your home, to the moving truck, to your new home. Movers will be handling them constantly. Having sturdy boxes makes it easier on those involved with their transport.
Having a variety of sizes is important during a move. Some items work splendidly in large and medium sized boxes, such as pillows and blankets. Others, such as books, work best in smaller boxes.
The size of the box needed depends on the items you will be transferring. Lighter objects can easily work with large boxes. By fitting in all of your lighter items in a big box, you will have less boxes to pack and movers should still be able to handle the load well.
Heavier items, however, should never be added to large boxes, even if the box is sturdy enough. Movers will have a hard enough time. Make it easier on them by packing heavier items in smaller boxes.
Moving companies provide sturdy moving boxes in a variety of sizes. Cardboard is the usual material used for moving. Cardboard boxes are nice because they allow you to have a little lee-way when packing items.
Never pack boxes too full that they cannot close. On the other hand, you never want to pack a half-full box. If you do not have enough items in the box use extra padding in the box. You do not want your items moving around during a move.
Whether you are moving a short distance or far away, moving boxes are essential. Look for good quality moving boxes. The more sturdy the box, the safer your items will be.
After you have unpacked everything from your boxes your home may feel like it is being taken over by empty boxes. They can take up a lot of space in your home, but may seem like a waste to simply throw away or recycle. So what should be done with all the extra boxes? Here are a few ideas.
Keep them. This option is really only useful for those that know they will be moving in the next couple months. College students and those living in this type of situation can store boxes under their bed or in storage units waiting for their next moving day to arrive.
Sell them. If you have professional quality moving boxes that you bought through a moving company, you do not want to throw them away. It is hard to find sturdy, well quality boxes unless they themselves go to a moving company to get them. If the boxes have only been used once you may be able to sell them and get enough money to take the family out for ice cream.
moving companies
Use them as storage. Some boxes work perfectly to store seasonal items. When summertime comes in the next few weeks, you can use your boxes to store all your winter items.
Moving boxes can also serve as a storage box for other items around your home. I took the time to cut out some contact paper and tape it around a box that was the perfect size to fit underneath my baby’s changing table. I put diapers in the box and it matches the nursery decor.
Use boxes for play. My son loves playing in boxes. He actually seems to like it more than our blow up playhouse we bought him for his birthday. There is something exciting about being able to climb inside big boxes that little kids love.
Insulate your attic or garage. Moving boxes, especially cardboard ones, can help moderate the climate in your basement or attic. Flatten the moving boxes, and stick them to the walls for makeshift insulation.
Moving boxes can be very useful. Moving boxes bought through moving companies are very sturdy and can be used in a variety of ways. Moving companies sell moving boxes in a variety of sizes and shapes, so these boxes can come in handy in a variety of ways in your home.
When you are planning a move, safety is often something that is on your mind. If you already know the neighborhood you are going to move to, don’t forget to check out any sex offenders that can be in the area. One can never be too safe when looking out for the safety of yourself and your family.
Every State is required by law to provide information for the locations of sex offenders. The government leaves it up to the State to determine how the information is given. Most States use an online database for residents to use.
While online databases are the most popular source of information, some States do still require a phone call to be made before giving out address information. Most offender databases include specific addresses where sex offenders live. These databases are available for the public, but it is usually up to the individuals to request the information.
Almost half a million sex offenders currently are living among the community, not behind bars. There are very few laws that restrict where tried sex offenders live. Most sex offenders are free to choose wherever they want to live, even if that means near schools or daycare centers.
The National sex offender website includes the latest sex offender information on a national basis. You can look up specific individuals, or look up sex offenders according to city. The FBI also includes a list of registry websites you can look in to according to specific States.
Most sex offenders are placed in 3 different levels of offenses. Level 1 offenders are considered the least dangerous, while level 3 is considered the most dangerous. All registered sex offenders are to be considered highly dangerous.
Checking the sex offender registry is not the only way you should protect your children. Be careful with who you let around your children. Most sex offenders have some sort of relationship with the children before the abuse happens, so always double check with babysitters or other people who have access to your children before you hire them.
You can never be too careful with the safety of your children. Don’t live with a false sense of safety items that you will be alerted if a sex offender lives nearby. Take the prerogative and check ahead of time for the protection of your family.
To save time and money it may be a good idea to have your basic packing supplies ready when it is time to move. Start you move off right by purchasing needed packing and moving supplies ahead of time. You can cut down moving costs by watching for sales and stocking up. Here are some basic packing supplies that can help you during your move.
Moving boxes – Moving boxes are essential. They come in a variety of sizes to fit your needs. You will always have items that will fit in small, medium, large, or extra large moving boxes.
Packing Tape – Clear, sealing tape is the most popular type of tape. You want to be sure that your boxes are secured and properly sealed. Packing tape is normally very affordable, but watch for bundle deals. Better yet, use a tape dispenser and save yourself the frustration of having to have scissors around.
Permanent Marker – Make sure you have one or two permanent markers on hand. Labeling your boxes allows the transition from home to home run smoother. Having a few on hand helps in case one marker starts to run out.
Labels – It may also be a good idea to some labels. If you write directly on some boxes the writing won’t show up. You can print up custom labels or leave the labels blank to write as you go.
Specialty Boxes – If you have specialty items, such as larger framed artwork or mirrors, you should purchase specialty boxes. Most lamp boxes, crib boxes, frame protectors, and specialty packing supplies are available for sale through online vendors or professional moving companies. Check with your local moving companies to see what they have available.
Packing Wrap – Use brown paper or plain newsprint to wrap items.
This will make it so you won’t have to wash the items once you have moved. Never try to wrap newspaper around delicate items, such as lamp shades.
Cushioning – Inexpensive foam will provide extra protection to your more fragile items. Bubble wrap is another inexpensive cushioning alternative. Remember to have things around to fill in empty spaces, such as inflatable bags, peanuts, or other foam pieces to fill empty spaces.
There are lots of reasons to have a garage sale before you move. Be sure to do it far enough in advance so that you have plenty of time to organize a sale before your move. Here are some tips to help you plan a successful garage sale.
First, you should look through your home to see if you have items that are worth selling. If you haven’t used an item in the past five years it is probably not going to be missed. Go ahead and sell it!
A lot of items may be more expensive to move and ship than to sell at a minimal price. Make a list of items that you don’t use or want to sell. With that list, write down a price next to the item so you know the price range you are willing to sell the item for.
Normally you will want to charge about 20% of the original cost of the item, if it is in good, working order. Bring the price much lower if selling used books or clothing. Place tags or stickers on each item and refer to the price sheet in case the price tags fall off.
Take a little extra time to make the items you are selling more appealing. Wash, iron, fold, clean and hang items to make them more attractive to potential buyers. Presentation is the key.
Consider having a block sale. Ask any friends or neighbors if they are interested in getting rid of extra clutter around their home. This can help you stay motivated, and will also increase the turnout.
If you are doing the garage sale on your own, ask for some extra help. It is safer to have two people manning a yard sale so you have an extra pair of eyes. It can be hard to conduct a garage sale by yourself.
Advertise that you are having a garage sale. Put up signs around the neighborhood, balloons and advertise in the classifieds. Check with your community to see if they have a website to post information about a moving sale.
While it is a good idea to take extra precautions to keep your items safe during a move, accidents can still occur. Boxes can accidentally bump into each other, or shift during the drive. Accidents sadly can’t be controlled.
What can be controlled, however, is how your moving company deals with such mishaps. A good moving company will be able to provide adequate coverage for your items. They should also have a good reputations for resolving claims in a timely manner.
Moving companies normally provide a type of insurance. They call it valuation, and it is a limit of liability that their company has when moving your items. Valuation, with most moving companies, automatically comes with your moving contract with no extra cost.
Free valuation normally has a certain declared value with your items. For example, it is based on the weight of the items they are shipping. So if your shipment weighs 10,000 pounds and you are covered for $0.60 per pound then the maximum amount the company is liable for is $6,000.
If you feel like you wouldn’t be adequately covered, or if your goods don’t weigh very much, good companies will be able to provide you with other options. You can usually purchase valuation for a specific dollar amount. This type of assessed value normally needs to be done with a signed contract.
Full value protection is also another option. It is more expensive, but will cover any items that are damaged, lost, or broken. The company then is responsible for repairing or replacing any items that are damaged.
If you ever need to make a claim for items that are damaged, refer to the specific type of valuation that you purchased. Usually you have a full 30 days to make a claim. It is important to make sure that you are covered adequately so you don’t run in to any problems with the mover’s maximum liability being less than the claim amount you are wanting.
Moving can be a stressful activity for the entire household. Pets in particular can have a hard time adjusting to a move. If you are a pet owner, take some precautions ahead of time.
Be sure that your pet is wearing it’s collar. It should have it’s proper identification on it at all times. All required license tags should be on them in case they get lost.
Have your pets checked out by their veterinarians a few weeks before the move. Get a copy of their vaccination and health records. Some veterinarians may have recommendations for new vets in the area where you will be moving.
If your animal has never traveled before, take them out for a ride in the car to prepare them for the move. Make sure they are safe when transporting them. If they are extra nervous, be sure to take precautions for any mishaps by having a towel on hand for quick clean ups.
If you will be flying by plane, do your research before the flight. See what guidelines and rules the airline has for transporting animals. They should be able to tell you how your pet will be transported, and make sure that they are placed in a safe crate.
When moving birds or smaller animals that must be in a cage, be sure it is well ventilated. During the move they will need to be placed in a safe, secure place in the car. Be sure that they aren’t covered so they have plenty of air and won’t get too hot.
Never leave your animals unattended. Temperatures can rise quickly. Be sure the temperature in the car is well moderated so your animal is comfortable.
When the movers come to pack up your items consider having your pet stay with a friend. Stress can often cause animals to misbehave. Once the moving is over, you can drive to your friends house and pick up your animal.
You may not realize how much stuff you have accumulated over the years until you have to pack it all up and move. Because of this you might have to be a little creative when putting your items away in your new home. Every home, no matter its size, has the potential to double as a storage space.
You don’t have to spend a fortune on storage containers. Recycle items around your home to store your smaller or larger items. For example, recycle baby food jars to hold buttons, washers, or small project items.
Use your bedroom to store items. A lot of things can be stored under your bed and will never be seen. Just slide the boxes, gift wrap, games, etc under the bed frame.
Store stuff in suitcases
Store items inside your luggage. Rather than having your luggage and travel bags empty, put items in them and use them as storage. You can also use clothes hampers as a way of storing stuffed toys or smaller games for children.
Buy furniture that also doubles as a storage space. Cabinets, chests, benches, and ottomans work great for serving more than one purpose. Even buying a sleeper sofa and chair can double as an extra bedroom for guests who stay over.
Organize your closet. Put suitcases, rarely worn items, and out-of-season clothes on upper shelves. Add hooks to the door for belts, ties or a shoe organizer.
Maximize your Bathroom space. Hang a mesh organizer over your shower to store shampoo, conditioners, soap and all other bath accessories. Use a storage rack behind the toilet to keep first aid kits, extra hand towels, etc.
Scout out good storage locations in your home. A lot of people like to use the space above their cars in the garage to hang things. You can also store a lot of items in your attic or under the stairway.
The video below will help you use bins for storage and give you some great tips, if you decide to use storage bins.
