Month: August 2021

The last thing you need after a long moving day is to discover that a valuable item was damaged. That’s certain to dampen your spirits when you’re just getting settled into your new home. Here are some packing tips to help ensure that doesn’t happen:

• Avoid worn-out or damaged boxes as they are more likely to tear open during a move.
• Pack glass and similar items in bubble wrap or foam chips – but not too tightly. Include just enough to ensure there’s no rattling.
• Use small boxes for heavier items. A big box of books is difficult to lift. (Experts say a box shouldn’t weigh more than 50 lbs.)
• Use anti-static packing materials for sensitive electronics, such as computers, cameras, and flash-drives.
• Purchase specialty packaging for items such as dishes, musical instruments, and valuable clothing. It’s worth the investment.
• Don’t pack a box so full that there’s a bulge.
• Wind and tie electrical cords.

Finally, if possible, personally carry irreplaceable items (such as family photographs) with you to your new home.

Ask any good salesperson for an effective selling technique and they’ll probably say something like, “Understand the buyer. Try to figure out what they’re thinking.”

That’s good advice for you to consider when you’re putting your home up for sale. You need to imagine what a buyer might be thinking while viewing your property, so you can prepare your home more effectively for that sale.

Here are some things buyers may be wondering:

• Is this the type of home we’re looking for? Does it have the ideal number of bedrooms, etc.?
• Are the rooms spacious enough for our needs?
• Are there any repairs or other maintenance issues that need to be addressed?
• How old is the property? Is there anything major, such as a furnace, that will need to be replaced soon?
• What is the community like? Will we be happy living in this area? Is it safe?
• Is this home going to fit our lifestyle? Is there an area for the kids to play? Is there ample room for entertaining? Is the dining room large enough for dinner with family and relatives?

Of course, these are only a few of the many questions a buyer may have while viewing your home.

The more you can anticipate these questions and prepare your home accordingly, the better the chances that you’ll sell it quickly and for a good price.

For example, remember that clutter will make a room appear smaller. So, make sure to de-clutter your home – especially the smaller spaces and cupboards.

If your house is in a desirable community, create a list of area features (i.e. local parks, access to public transit, walking paths, etc.) to help buyers appreciate the value of living there.

Basically, when you’re preparing your home for sale, think like a prospective buyer!

Some home buyers consider purchasing a home that is less expensive but farther away from work. In particular, people who work in an urban area sometimes consider living outside the city, where housing costs a little less.

Is that a good option? It depends, to some extent, on the cost of commuting.

People often underestimate commuting expenses when they consider buying in a particular area. Knowing these costs is important if you want to make a smart, informed decision.

For example, there are many expenses associated with a 45-minute commute to work: gas, wear and tear on the vehicle, insurance, parking, etc. There’s also value to the lost time – almost seven hours a week spent in the car.

If you find a home that you love, and have considered the commuting time and expenses, you might find that it makes sense to purchase a home in the suburbs. Lots of people commute and find ways to make the experience pleasant.

As with all aspects of a home purchase, having all the information is key. So, make sure you know the true cost of commuting so you can make the right decision for you and your family.