This guest post comes from movingcompanies.us, online portal of long distance moving companies.

No matter your reasons for selling your home, the necessary process is neither simple nor easy. You may be especially aware there are no shortcuts or tricks if you’ve previously gone through the process before. Before you call in the long distance movers, you must find a buyer financially prepared to purchase your home at or near the amount you’ve set.

Looking Good

The best way to attract serious buyers is to enhance your home’s ‘curb appeal’ by ensuring a presentable and pleasing image. Create an attractive front so people can see your home’s beauty when they pass by. Simple tasks like removing clutter that may have accumulated in the yard, flowerbeds, and garden have a big impact. If miscellaneous items, out of season tools, or yard furniture crowds outdoor areas, consider moving them into storage for the time being. If you find you have a large number of these items, rent a truck to speed up the process. Check with the movers you plan to use for final move to see if they have a storage facility, otherwise you can rent one.

Once the larger items are gone, continue to check the lawn for debris such as fliers or scattered trash and each day and sweep the walkways as needed. Maintain any existing plant life by mowing the lawn and removing dead or diseased plants. While dead plant life makes a home appear ill maintained and unfriendly, a well-kept yard creates an inviting an hopeful look.

Show Off Indoors

Follow these same guidelines inside your home to improve it further. Start by removing clutter and cleaning as needed, but don’t forget things like appliances and shelves. Everything should feel fresh and welcoming to the potential owners coming to view the house, so you want them to have room and freedom to move about and explore. Go as far as temporary storage for large collections of furniture or items that may be crowding rooms. Remember, you want to show off the inside of your home, not the clutter that you have collected while living there. An organized and clean environment is the most important step you can make to ensure a fast sale.

Time and Money

Once your home is physically ready to be shown, consider the marketing and transaction options you have. While you may be trying to save money by selling your own home, unless you have professional qualifications in real estate it may not pan out to the savings you expect. Very few individuals can pay cash for a home, so you must be familiar with the legal requirements involved with mortgage agreements and the responsibilities you are taking on by signing them.

Your time will also be in high demand to market, show, and negotiate the sale of your home, which will impact your existing daily activities. Real estate agents shoulder the burden of showing and selling the home, and many are willing to negotiate his or her commission. To reduce the stress of selling your home, remember to create a clean and attractive front, present a welcoming interior, and work with a reliable agent. These steps will ensure you find the buyer you need to sell your home.

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The following article is a guest blog post by SelfStorageFinders.com, an online self storage directory.

If you ever had to move or had to help someone else move, you know how much of a pain and hassle the entire process is. Getting your belongings organized, packing possessions correctly, renting a truck, packing the truck correctly, driving the moving truck…the list goes on and on. The moving process is long, stressful and tiresome even in the best weather conditions.

The busy moving season is typically April – September during warmer weather months. As much as you plan to move during these months it may not always work out. What do you do if you are stuck moving during the cold, winter months? Below are some helpful tips.

• Be Aware of the Forecast – Weathermen are not always correct in forecasting the coming weather but they should give you a good idea of temperature and chance of precipitation. Getting a jump on a move early in the winter will most likely keep you away from major storms.

• Have Help on Hand – Have friends, family and neighbors on hand to lend help. The more people you have helping, the less time everyone is stuck out in the cold moving.

• Clear a Path – Make sure you clear a path from your door to the moving truck so you can get in and out quickly. A clear path should also reduce the risk of slipping and falling if there is snow or ice.

• Don’t Ruin your Floors – If it has snowed or is wet, you should cover the floors of your old and new homes so they don’t get ruined. Put plastic sheets or old bed sheets down to reduce the amount of snow, water and mud on the floors.

• Wear Warm Clothes – Don’t pack your winter clothes if you are moving in winter. Moving around and carrying all of your stuff will keep your blood flowing but it will still be cold. A hat and gloves are also a good idea to keep your hands from freezing.

• Heat Working? – Make sure the heat in your new home is on and working before you move in. Unpacking will be easier and less stressful.

• Keep the little stuff handy – Shovels, scrapers and fully charged cell phones should be within reach in case you need them for emergency reasons. You shouldn’t have to unpack anything in order to use them when you need them.

• Drive Cautiously – You or your driver should drive cautiously when navigating a large moving truck. Drive even more cautiously if the weather isn’t favorable. Be sure the vehicle was serviced before the move so you don’t have a breakdown on the highway in a blizzard.

• Use Self Storage – Consider using a self storage unit if your new place is smaller than your old home. Self storage facilities are an affordable, easy option when moving especially when you are first getting settled.

Moving is rarely easy or fun but moving in the winter presents other challenges to people. If you plan ahead and follow these simple steps you may find it less stressful. Remember there are plenty of options to aid your move and make it easier.

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Do not pack any nail polish, hairsprays or other aerosols, or bleach. Before your move, dispose of any cleaning solvents, paint, paint thinners, kerosene, ammonia or other dangerous chemicals, including fertilizer. Some obvious items not to pack include ammunition, loaded guns, fireworks, matches, lighters or other combustibles, but you might not know that pool chemicals and weed killers are also considered to be hazardous materials. Other things not to pack when you move are car batteries or household batteries, which can leak.

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If you grill, you might not think twice about taking lighter fluid or charcoal or propane tanks, which are all potentially dangerous, as are any type of fuels or oils.

Regarding documents and other belongings that you should keep in your vehicle, not pack away in boxes, you will want to have the following things handy:

–keys for the old and new homes, vehicles, safes, safety deposit boxes

–telephone directory from your previous neighborhood and address books

–all medical and dental records, school records, insurance information and car titles

–medications, vitamins, pain killers and bandages

–your cell phones, computers and their chargers and power strips

–cash for your expected moving costs as well as extra money for emergencies

– valuable jewelry, watches, gems, precious metals or coins, and vases or knick knacks that are very fragile and/or irreplaceable

It is a good idea, however, to label a box “Open first” and include such items as paper plates, utensils, paper towels, coffee cups, a coffee pot and filters, teabags,  trash bags, towels, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, a flashlight, light bulbs, tape, scissors, pens and paper, and other useful things that you will probably require right away in the new place. Include some drinking water too, and cups. You would not want to need any of these things and have to search through all of your boxes, which would be frustrating, time-consuming, messy and inefficient.

Get a free moving estimate from professional movers in your area.

Thanks to MoversQuote.Org for the guest post.

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It all adds up to a significant amount and for people who are on a tight budget, they might be able to reduce their moving expenses with a bit of planning. For example, buying your own boxes, tape and bubble wrap can save you some money, and if you are a member of AAA you could be entitled to a discount. The time of year that you move might also be a factor. From May to September, when demand for moving services is highest, you will pay up to 20 % more than in other months.

Another way to save money is to schedule your move six months in advance if possible, which will cost less than a last-minute decision to contract a professional moving company. The movers can either come to your home and give you an estimate for your move, or you can input some basic information online and get a quote from a number of companies. That way, you will have several quotes to consider and choose from, rather than being limited to only one or two cheap moving companies. It is a highly competitive market, and tens of millions of people move each year.

Be sure that your furniture is adequately protected during the move, so you do not end up needing to buy furniture to replace anything that got damaged. Wrap upholstered pieces of furniture in blankets and then tape them securely, or use heavy plastic to protect them. You should always wrap mattresses and bedsprings too, or put them in boxes so they do not get ripped or dirty.

The blog post was provided by CrossCountryMovers.org.

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Packing up and moving to a brand new home can be exciting, terrifying and stressful all at once. Packing especially can be incredibly stressful and overwhelming. There are ways that you can reduce the stress of packing and make your packing more efficient. 

The first obstacle you are going to encounter with packing is just how much time it takes. Because of the time commitment associated with packing, the best thing you can do is to try to pack one or two boxes every day. If you work during the day, one or two boxes in the evenings before bed will eventually pay off. On the weekends, unless you are equally busy, you can pack more. Have everyone in your home pack as well; giving them instruction if you need things packed in a certain way.

The best thing to do is to have everyone start with their own belongings first and then take time when you are together to pack the items that belong to everyone. Packing a little at a time and as a team will be less overwhelming and can even be fun; you can reminisce about past times in your life and bond with your family over times shared in your home. This process is not only efficient, it can be uplifting. 

One of the most important things when you are packing is to stay as organized as possible. One thing that can help you do this is packing based on the rooms in your house. Packing room to room is especially good because you will be able to see the progress you are making. You will also be able to organize your new home with much more efficiency, especially if you label each box with the room its contents belong to and the general items that are in it. In the case of valuable, breakable, or damageable items, you want to be sure to wrap each item carefully and well. Old newspapers or clothes are especially good for this.

Wrapping your belongings will keep them from rubbing against each other and scratching it. This will reduce the chance of them breaking when dropped or handled roughly. Moving is an unpredictable process and you needed to do everything you can to protect your belongings. Finally, if you have anything especially valuable, like important documents or family heirlooms, you will want to pack these items yourself and personally transport them to your new home. This will protect them from being lost or stolen in the moving process. 

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No matter the reason for moving out of your current state of residence, one should still put some thought into it before making such a big and life changing decision.
One of the first things that one should consider before moving is how much it would cost to do so. Start looking for long distance movers  within your area who specialize in state to state move. Remember to do your research into the company to ensure that they are reputable and have good customer standing. You can find out the latter by asking for referrals from the moving company. Experts would tell you to have at least two long distance moving companies on standby for your move just in case one of them does not pull through.

Next, when choosing a state to live in, you should pay attention to the cost of living as it compared to where you currently live. It would not be a wise decision to move to a state where the cost of living is expensive especially if you are trying to move on your current income. With that said moving long distance to an expensive state is only recommended if you are moving for to a new job that pays twice as much as what you currently make.

Before moving, do your research on the new state as regards to the type of housing and the best areas to live and raise a family. Try locating a house that is not only affordable but one that is large enough to accommodate every member of your family. Even if you find a home that is the right price, the area may not be the safest. Do your research on the Internet to get an idea of the area you would be choosing to live. In most cases there are particular websites that you can find online where there are tenant reviews and ratings for homes in a specific area. This has proven to be very effective for those who are relocating.

Safety aside, you would also want to find a location that is within close proximity to schools, convenient stores, malls and restaurants. This would definitely be an added convenience especially for those in the family that do not drive or own a vehicle. Choose schools for your children that have great student achievement ratings and after school activities that they can enjoy.

It is always recommended to have a great support system in the new state where you would be moving. A cousin or great family friend may be able to assist you with getting things done around your home or they may be able to give you a tour of the place and baby sit your children should you need their assistance.

This article is written by FindGoodMovers.com would help our readers to better prepare for long distance relocation.

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If you do not have a set time to move like say you haven’t been evicted or have to leave urgently because of some issue with your home, then you should try to move within what movers refer to as their peak and off speak months. You must understand that the mover’s peak months are usually around summertime. And while the predominant sunshine provides gorgeous weather that makes your move run smoothly, it is also a season where movers and moving vehicles are in high demand. What this ultimately means is that you will also be charged a higher fee to move. Moving is also expensive especially during the holidays or at the end of the month so try to schedule your move during the week to save money.

If money is low, then you may want to move around the off-peak season which is usually in the colder months of fall and winter. As the temperatures drop low in most states, so do the prices to move so moving during these months may be a good idea for those who are strapped for cash.

Once you get your financial issues straightened out for the move and you decide on a date then you should start calling up a few moving companies either through the telephone directory or via a friend or family referral. The Internet is also very resourceful for searching for a right mover; you also get the opportunity to research the company to read what their past clients are saying about them.

After the research, narrow down your list of six prospective movers and call each of them with questions; the one mover you feel comfortable with you should schedule an immediate appointment. While at the mover’s office do not forget to ask him for a list of referrals but also check to see if he is certified to conduct such business.

What would usually happens after you select your mover is that they would send one of their moving consultants to take inventory of your household items so that they can give an estimate of how much it would all cost to move. The estimate can be a binding or non-binding estimate or a binding not to exceed estimate.

With a binding estimate you are asked to pay the exact amount that is quoted to you by the evaluating consultant whether or not the shipping costs is more or less.  With a Binding Not to Exceed estimate, the consultant would not only evaluate your items but he would also weigh the items as well. Sometimes at the weighing the shipping price on your items may be higher or lower than what was originally quoted by the moving consultant. By law if the price turns out to be lower than what you were originally changed then the consultant is obligated by law to charge you at the lower cost.

A non-binding estimate is the initial quote you would get from the consultant without them even visiting your home to see your household items. Usually they can guesstimate just by finding out how many rooms you have in your home or by the size of the home. You will pay nothing to the movers until they give you a final price which is yield after the move.

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One of the first things you would want to do is to secure a list of long distance movers searching for those that offer a reasonable enough price and those that have longevity and reliability in the business.

Think back at a time when one of your friends moved out of state or to another city that’s further away and find out from them if the service was satisfactory. If it was then  you can get the mover’s contact name, address and phone number and perhaps go down to the office to get additional information. You can also do an Internet search for long distance movers and read the testimonies from their former clients which would help you in your selection process. Usually, some of these websites have a testimonial section where they allow their past customers to speak of their services. These reviews are usually positive. However, a general web search on a particular long distance mover can yield mixed reviews which is what you would want before making a decision.

When you narrow it down to the long distance movers that most impress you then you can start to compile your questions for them as well as be prepared to provide them with relevant information that would determine the cost of your move. Ideally, the movers would first need to know where you are moving so that they can calculate the distance and miles. You can also give them a guesstimate about how many items you have in your home so that they can also determine the size of truck to send on moving day; one that would fit all of your household items in one trip. Usually long distance moves mean the higher risk for your items either being damaged or getting lost. With that in mind it would be in your best interest to find out if your long distance moving company provides moving insurance.

If you need packing assistance you should also let your moving company know of this and if you also need packing materials, your moving company could also assist you with that as well. When you meet with the moving company look around to see if they have certifications on the wall; this is a good indication  that you are working with professionals. You can also ask for references from past customers so you can contact them and find out more information about the moving company as well. There are some long distance companies that would not include your vehicle with the move or may ask you to drive to your new destination. It is imperative that you know what would happen to your vehicle; if the moving company cannot move it they can certainly refer you to a company that can get the job done.

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Moving experts however are of the opinion that regardless of the size of your household items, you choose a truck that is larger in size. Depending on which truck rental company you hire, they would more than likely provide you with a general idea as to what type of vehicle you should rent for your specific household items. For instance, if you currently live in a studio apartment that has three rooms worth of household items, then you should rent a truck that is 12-15 feet. Twenty-foot trucks are recommended for those who have five rooms of stuff while a home that has eight rooms of household items should be placed in a 24 foot truck.

Now that the sizing of the truck is out of the way, you can begin your search for a truck rental company. Moving experts would recommend that you get quotes from at least three truck rental companies ahead of moving day. When you call them, be sure to ask them for a price as it regards to the size of the moving  truck that you are thinking about renting. Make sure that you read all the fine prints on the truck rental documents; there are usually many clauses in place that isn’t as straightforward as it seems. With that said, when reviewing the documents, ensure that you ask a lot of questions so that you would be clear on what you are getting into.

It goes without saying that if you move during the fall and winter months, you will be saving a lot of money than if you were to move during the summer months. However, if you can only move during the summer months, then you should try to book for truck rental way in advance.

Since this is a self-move it means that you would have to do everything on your own once you rent the truck. With that said, taking out an insurance policy on the moving truck highly recommended since most of these trucks are not insured. While you are at it, you should also get insurance for your household items as well just in case the worst happens on the road.

Finally, remember you would be the designated driver for your move; even if you are not driving, your probably have a friend or family member on stand by to do so. Whatever the case, when you decide on a truck company that suits your needs, you should go into the truck rental company and test out your chosen vehicle before leaving the premises. Spend that extra time checking out every aspect of the vehicle as you keep on the alert for leaks, faulty tires, brakes etc.

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As a matter of fact, pianos should be moved only by certified piano moving companies. A professional piano mover will have the essential moving equipment to secure your piano for the entire time. Many times when you call moving companies and require about piano services, the response will be “yes”. But if they are not specialized in piano there is a big risk to your instrument. There are special equipments and tools used by professional piano movers that ensure a safe delivery of your precious instrument.

The same applies for moving antique items, or slate pool table. These items also demand professional movers who have all the necessary tools and supplies to secure a safe transportation for your antique items. In many cases there are additional charges associated with this type of moves, also moving minimums, because it’s typically one or two items you’re relocating. However, the experience and confidence you get with a professional company far outweighs the price. There is no guarantee that your precious item will be delivered safely with an inexperienced company. Moving pianos, antique items and pool table moves are complicated.

So, when you call around to get a quote for moving your piano, ensure you make them aware of the type of piano such as spinet, upright or baby grand. If you need antiques moved, define the type and form so they can decide if crating besides pad wrapping is required. And if you’re moving a pool table, mention its size and type. Some pool tables need to be taken apart and reassembled. All of this information is important for movers for a precise moving quote. Location of these items is also important. All this information helps the them to decide the number of movers and moving tools required to assure a successful loading and unloading process. A professional mover will always figure out the best possible move plan and utmost protection of your valuable items.

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