There are 3 steps that we recommend to find your new home.
These 3 steps will help you make the move to your next home as smooth as possible.

  Deciding on a location

Location location location. This will be the biggest deciding factor in your move. Most people do not work from home, & many have children still in school. Now matter how wonderful a new place may be, you have to look at the long term affects of its location. Here are some ideas to concider

• Narrow your decision down to the top 3 homes or apartments. Take notes and pictures on each property or use our Free House & Apartment Checklist This will help you compare the pros & cons on each listing

• Map out the distance from each location to your work and closest school
  Is the new place closer or further from work?
  Do you have nearby freeways that are easy to access?
  Do you have nearby airports?
  Will you have to drive your kids to school, and will you have more or less time once you move to this new home or apartment?
  How much extra time will you need in the morning or how much time will you save once you move to this home?
  Which of your favorite stores are close by? Grocery stores - Restaurants - Video stores - Movie theaters ect.

• Talk to other neighbors that live close to the new home or apartment you are considering. You will get the most honest information from them
  What do they like and dislike about the area and location?
  Ask them about recent crimes in the area, and questionable people who live nearby

• If you currently subscribe to cable or DSL services, find out if your current provider offers service in your new home
  If not check to see what similar service is available. Find Cable & DSL service
  
  

Now that you have decided which home is best for you, its time to make that final inspection before you sign the papers

• Take a thorough walk through the house
  Check all windows sliding doors, making sure they open and close properly Open and close window coverings
  Run faucets in every room. Make sure they flow properly and shut off without dripping. Look under the cabinet of each faucet for signs of leaks
  Run showers, bathtubs & flush all toilets, check for hot water
  Operate all appliances to verify they are in working order. Stove - Oven - Lighting - Dishwasher - Garbage disposal - Bathroom fans - Garage door openers
  Open and close all drawers closets and cupboards

• Obtain a credit report
  Over 78% of the general public has errors on their credit report. The landlord or property management company will look at this, therefore its best you know what to expect. If have errors on your credit report and do not have time to wait for the credit reporting agencies to fix them, at the minimum show the landlord or property management company in advance your intentions or progress, in correcting these errors. Obtain credit report

• Switching over Utilities
  Once you have been approved for your new home and the deal is done, its best to give the utility companies about 7 days notice of your intentions to move and new address where you want your accounts switched to. To be on the safe side add 1 extra day of keeping the utilities on at your current home, just in case something goes wrong and you cannot move into your new home or apartment. Example: If you supposed to be in your new place on the 1st of March, have your utilities turned on at your new home on the March 1st and turn off the utilities on your present home on March 2nd. If on the day of your move, there is a delay in you moving in, you will have time to stop the disconnect in your current home.

• Forwarding your mail
  Its best to give your postal service about 2 weeks notice and filling out a change of address form. If possible, try to make your move on a Saturday, and make your change of address effective on Sunday. Since there is no mail service on Sunday you will not have to worry on which address your mail gets sent to, and by Monday you will be moved in and your mail will now be forwarded to your new address. Postal forwarding is generally active for 45 days. Make sure you contact all credit card companies banks & institutions you make payments to for an updated mailing address
  
  

Now that you have found your perfect dream home, its time to get packing. Using some of our tips and tricks can help you save some time in the packing and moving process. Here are some great ideas compiled from our staff and clients

• When you start packing, make a layout picture chart of your old house and your new house. Give each room a number
  Example:  Kitchen 1    Living Room 2    Garage 3     Main Bathroom 4    Guest Bathroom 5  ect.
  Post this chart in the main entry way of your old and new house. Place post it notes with the corresponding numbers in each room
  This will save you time in 3 ways.
  
  By using numbers, you or people helping you pack your items in boxes, can simply write the number on the box instead of naming the box for each room.
  This is also helpful if you are using movers that do not speak or read English well. Numbers are much easier to read
  When packing the moving truck or other vehicle, you can separate each room according to number

• Ask for references on picking a mover
  If you are using a moving company, chances are are you will use them one time, and never see the same movers again. Only you care about your precious property. Also inquire about movers insurance. Many times broken items delivered by a moving company are not noticed until days later when you are unpacking all your boxes

• Try and use the same size boxes
  This will increase your space when stacking them in the moving truck Apple boxes work great and are very durable. More information on Moving Boxes
  When packing glasses and stemware, wine boxes are and excellent way to protect and reduce the time of wrapping each piece

• Using your linens washcloths and towels to protect plates and fragile items
  This will save you money and reduce extra boxes need to move these
  This will also eliminate all the extra bubble wrap, tissue paper & newspaper that you would normally have to just throw away
  Using newspaper leaves your hands and fragile items with ink residue which then requires you to wash all of these items again. :-)

• Unpack the most necessary rooms 1st. The main bathroom and main bedroom should be considered
  After a long day unpacking you at least want a place to shower and sleep
  Make sure you have a set of sheets packed with your bed mattress for easy access
  The kitchen should be one of the last areas on the 1st day as, most people rather go out to dinner or get fast food as you will be too tired to consider cooking as an option. Treat yourself, you have been working hard