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Tips for Settling Into Your New Home

by The Hat Team

moving

Congratulations! You’ve survived the process of leaving one home and finding another and the onus of packing everything up and then unpacking the same boxes.  You’ve found a new bank and a new doctor; you’ve investigated trash pick-up times, licensing requirements, and car registration; and your mail is being forwarded on a regular basis.  So far so good, but now that you’re somewhat settled in your home, it’s time to become familiar with your new environment.

The following tips are designed to help you become part of your new community and re-create the sense of belonging you had in your previous location.

  • Go online to learn about the new area and what it has to offer. Look at the city or chamber of commerce website. Research religious facilities, cultural opportunities, parks and outdoor activities, and so much more!
     
  • Acquire a regional map and drive around. Explore shortcuts and pinpoint the location of shopping malls, medical services, libraries, the post office, city offices, etc.
     
  • Talk to neighbors. Ask advice about home maintenance companies, babysitters, doctors, or the civic league or homeowners’ organization association.
     
  • Take a walking tour of your neighborhood. Introduce yourself to and initiate conversations with neighbors who are outside. Compliment their yard or ask directions, for starters.
     
  • Attend garage/yard sales in the vicinity of your home. Shoppers at these events are generally friendly and gregarious, so talk to them.
     
  • Read the local newspaper to discover places of interest and happenings in the area. Look for clubs or group meetings that focus on your interests--art, gardening, books, sports, crafts, e.g.
     
  • Join a recreation center or gym. Attend classes there or work out with a group that you know will share your interests.
     
  • Volunteer. Check with a church or synagogue, a hospital, library, or school near you. Volunteering is a terrific way to meet people and to make you feel an integral part of the community.
     
  • Give a house warming party and invite all your neighbors. Such an occasion is a good reason to finish unpacking and decorating your new home and a wonderful way to make friends..

Before long you will become familiar with your new environment and be comfortable there. Best of all, you’ll “belong” once again! 

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Experts Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

How To Make Your Move a Success

by The Hat Team

moving

The big day is almost here!  You and your family are moving out of your old house into the new home you have finally closed on!  It’s an exciting time, however moving can be a huge headache if you go into it unprepared.  Below are a few tips and ideas on how to make your move a success.

  • If you plan to hire a moving company to take care of your move for you, don’t be afraid to do your homework on the different moving companies.  There are some moving companies out there that will help to make your move a lot easier while there are others that can simply make the entire process a nightmare.  You owe it to yourself to do a bit of research and to find the best moving company you possibly can.
     
  • Another bit of advice for moving from one house to another is to prep for the move ahead of time.  Make sure that your movers know if they will be moving heavy things such as kitchen appliances and have them unplugged and cleaned out before the movers arrive so that they can easily and quickly get the heavy objects taken out of the way. 
     
  • Get your packing done before the big moving day arrives.  Moving companies do not want to be tripping over you while you are frantically packing last minute items into boxes that have yet to be taped and ready to move.  If you have your job done before the movers arrive, they will be able to get their job done in a quick and successful manner.  It’s also a good idea to stack your boxes against the walls of the rooms so that the movers can easily move about as they are working.  Again, if your job is done, their job will be easier and all will be happy.
     
  • Label your boxes so that movers will understand what room it goes in.  If you label the boxes with your kid’s names, it’s likely the movers will have no idea which room the box belongs in once they arrive at your new home.  Keep it simple and label the boxes accordingly. 

If you do your part to make sure you have done all you can do to make the move an easy process,  the moving company will be free to do their job and do it right.

Courtesy of Montgomery AL Real Estate Experts Sandra Nickel Hat Team!

6 Tips For an Easier Summer Move

by The Hat Team

Each year around 65% of all household moves take place between May and September, so obviously you need to plan ahead if you’re moving to a new Montgomery AL home this summer.

moving truckWhile the act of relocating a new place can certainly be exciting, there are, of course, challenges to be met, especially during a hot, busy summer season.  Although there are no foolproof ways to make the experience totally stress-free, there are, thankfully, actions you can take to make your “adventure” a more positive one.

Sage advice to heed includes:

  1. Plan ahead!  Contact moving companies or truck rental firms at least six weeks in advance if possible. Try to schedule your move for a weekday and at a time when traffic is less heavy.  . Make prior arrangements for the care of young children and pets on moving day—for their sake and yours!  Line up commitments from friends and family if you’ll need their assistance for the move.
     
  2. Be strategic about packing.  Gather necessary supplies and start packing early.  Whether it’s one room, one cabinet, or a drawer at a time, weed through what may be years of accumulation.  Decide what to donate to charity, give to a friend, recycle, trash, pack now, or keep handy until moving day.  Label boxes as to contents and intended room in your new home.
     
  3. Take care of logistics in advance.  Ideally, you should contact your future utilities provider at least two weeks before you move regarding turning on your electricity, gas, phone, cable, and internet before your arrival, if possible.  Contact any new school for a list of documents needed for registration.  Do not pack these materials away it’s better to hand carry them for easy retrieval.  If you’re going to need to spend a night in a hotel, make those arrangements early.
     
  4. Make life simple.  Keep all small parts labeled, in plastic bags, and all together in one box.  Likewise, take pictures of electronic hook-ups for future use.
     
  5. Consider the heat.  Dress appropriately, stay hydrated, and refrain from placing certain items in a hot truck—candles or wine, e.g.  Click here for tips on packing cleaning products and toxins.
     
  6. Stay calm.  Relax, whistle, smile, and anticipate the pleasure of living in your new home.


Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

Economic Factors to Consider When Relocating

by The Hat Team

Whether you are thinking about leaving your Montgomery AL home because of employment, health, a desire for a change of scenery, retirement, etc., a move to a new location is not to be undertaken lightly and requires research on your part to be successful.  While most potential transplants are aware of the need to check out housing costs, moving truckair quality, job market prospects, available health care, specific amenities, and school ratings, not all fully comprehend the economic impact relocation may have on their lives.

Areas worth investigating:

  • Moving expenses:  Inquire about an employee relocation package which covers all or part of the costs of your move.  Even if your new employer doesn’t offer any financial assistance, you might be eligible for partial reimbursement at tax time, which can definitely ease some of your financial stress. (Click here to see which expenses qualify.)  Remember to include the cost of your travel from your Montgomery AL home, lodging, and food in addition to the cost of moving your possessions as you calculate expenses.  (Take advantage of sites such as www.Upack.com or Moving Guru.com to assist you.)
  • Job market:  While you may have secured a well-paying job, what are the prospects for your spouse?  What is the salary range for that field?
     
  • Transportation:  What is the cost of public transportation, fuel, tolls, and parking?  Will you require a second car?  What is the personal property tax rate for autos in your new location?
     
  • Municipal fees:  Are there additional costs particular to your new municipality?  What is the average rate of utilities?  Are parks, playgrounds, and museums free?  Contact the Chamber of Commerce in your new city for this type of information.
     
  • Overall cost of living:  Since you will need to compare the average cost of living you had in your Montgomery AL home with that of your new surroundings, you will want to take advantage of sites such as Best Places for actual facts and figures related to food, housing, utilities, transportation, health costs, and salaries in each location.  For even more detailed information about these categories, you can’t go wrong with that supplied by Numbeo.com.

Search all Montgomery AL Real Estate And Homes For Sale.

Sandra Nickel and the Hat Team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Montgomery AL real estate market. Sandra assists buyers looking for Montgomery real estate for sale and aggressively markets Montgomery AL homes for sale. Sandra is also an expert in helping families avoid foreclosure through short sales and is committed to helping families in financial hardship find options. For more information you can visit AvoidForeclosureMontgomery.com.

Interested in buying a bank-owned home? Get bank-owned listings alerts FREE!

You can reach Sandra by filling out the online contact form below or give her a call anytime.

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