Moving Mishaps And How To Avoid Them

Don’t move when everybody else does if you can possibly avoid it. For a cost effective move, consider moving toward the beginning or the end of the month, and not during the summer.  Booking a move when everybody else isn’t is a great way to avoid over-extended movers who may be so over-worked that something may go wrong. The earlier you start your move, the more moving companies you can have do a visual inspection and quotation, and the more research you will be able to do.  Not having to rush around will save you quite a bit of stress. Also, don’t forget to back up your computer and if possible, take your computer with you when you move instead of having the moving company handle it.  Much like losing an item with sentimental value, the data that could be lost from computer damage is often irreplaceable.

Moving can be quite expensive, but deciding to choose a mover based on price alone is almost always a mistake.  Clever movers will quote one low price up front, then find creative ways to tack on extras.  Some unethical movers have even been known to try to collect more money upfront when they reach your new home, actually refusing to unload the truck until you pay them what they are asking. Movers generally charge by weight, volume and the time it takes to load and unload your items.  So getting a visual inspection and quotation from multiple moving companies is very important.  If you are considering getting an online quote there is no practical way they can come close to being accurate because every move is unique and different.

Buying a Nanaimo house with good resale value

Buying a house is an exciting time. People can often get caught up in the moment when they are making a decision of whether or not to buy a house and may not be considering resale.  However, it is important for them to consider resale value when they are contemplating a home purchase. Buying a home is similar to any other investment purchase, there are risks.  If you are looking towards buying a Nanaimo house with good resale value the top thing to consider is location.

Look for a house that does not back onto a busy street and avoid corners and intersections. A good choice would be the middle of the block or a cul de sac. Be sure all essential shops and services are located nearby and should include grocery stores, gas stations, dry cleaners, and convenience stores. There should also be fairly convenient access to local highways, major traffic routes, and public transit. Have a good look at the local shopping centre to see if it is healthy and busy and not in decline.  If it is, this could indicate that the local neighborhood is also in decline.  If there are a lot of “For Lease” signs, you might want to reconsider your purchase.

Quick tips to get your Nanaimo home ready for winter

            The winter months are quickly approaching, so be sure that you and your Nanaimo home are ready for the winter months ahead.  It is very important to safely get onto your roof to inspect for missing shingles or other factors that may lead to a leaky roof. If you are not comfortable doing it yourself, call in a professional and have them take care of the rooftop work for you.  Inspect doors and windows to ensure that the weather-stripping is in good condition to keep your house warmer and cozier in the winter months.

            Make sure that your heater and ventilation systems are in good working order.  Clean out accessible ducts and replace filters where necessary.  Inspect your chimney for creosote and call a chimney sweep to keep your fireplace safe and functional.  Now's the time to clean out those rain gutters.  If you want to do it yourself, make sure that you can safely access the gutters and then scoop out any debris, blast the drains clean with a high-powered hose, and repair any leaks you may find along the way. Drain water from outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems to keep those pipes from freezing. Disconnect and store outdoor hoses; cover outdoor faucets with foam insulators.

Moving with kids – It can be fun

            Moving with kids can be stressful, but there are a few things that can make moving fun for the whole family. Plan a Movie night to watch a family favorite. This can make your new house feel familiar. Order pizza or have root beer floats and forget about the day's stresses and enjoy each other's company, along with a meal that is easy to clean up.  When beds are still packed, camp out on your living room floor for a great adventure for the kids. Sleeping in the same space can be reassuring to young children.

Let your children have a hand in decorating their new room.  Their age will dictate the level of their participation but younger children can still help pick a favorite accent color or a few new accessories. Older children could pick design styles, new bedding, and even paint color and their involvement will help them feel ownership of their new space.

To lessen anxiety for the younger kids, take Goodwill piles to the trunk of your car at night so that you can drop them off the next day. That way they won’t accidently see that one toy they never played with and decide it’s their favorite and you’re a monster for giving it away. Perhaps before you move, if it is at all possible, you might plan to take a trip a week after the move to give you all something to look forward to after leaving your friends and old neighbourhood behind.