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Moving Tips

Simple Ways to Declutter Household Items Before Your Next NJ Move

Simple Tips on How to Declutter Before Your Next NJ Move

If you’re planning a NJ move in the future, one of the best ways to reduce stress and save money is by paring down your belongings. After all, the less stuff you have, the less it will cost to move. Plus, if you have a lot of items that are still in good condition, you can sell it at a garage or estate sale and use that extra money to offset other moving expenses.

However, as anyone who has tried to declutter will know, it’s not an easy process. Unless you’re a dedicated minimalist, chances are you probably haven’t really considered the importance of every item you own. It’s all too easy to accumulate stuff the longer you live in one place. In fact, many people are surprised by how much they own when they do end up moving. Trying to organize and go through everything can feel overwhelming, but there are a few things you can do to make the process easier.

Start Early to Ensure You Have Enough Time

It might be obvious advice, but it’s important to have enough time so you can make thoughtful decisions when decluttering. You don’t want to accidentally throw out a family memento because you were too strapped for time nor do you want to keep everything you own! When you start depends on the size of your home. If you’re living in a one-bedroom apartment you might only need to start two months before your move. On the other hand, if you live in a large four bedroom house, you might want to start six to 12 months beforehand.

Besides giving you time to sort through your belongings, decluttering your home early makes your house easier to sell as it makes it easier for your agent to stage. Plus, you’ll have more time to do research on the items you own and their resale value. So instead of selling everything in a large garage sale, you can sell in-demand items on eBay or other platforms.

Prepare a Simple Checklist for Moving Day

People hold onto clutter for a variety of reasons and there are a few categories most items will fall into when it comes time to declutter:

  • Old items you no longer use – these include clothes that don’t fit, books you won’t read, boxes of cords and cables you’re holding onto just in case, and so on.
  • Things you have too many of – it’s easy to accumulate small items over the years like towels, dishes, water bottles, silverware, etc. and add them to your collection instead of replacing your old stuff
  • Stuff that is past its prime – if you haven’t fixed an item up yet, it’s a good time to get rid of it. So toss those holey socks, broken electronics, expired spices, etc.

Even if you start early, it doesn’t mean anything if you’re decluttering haphazardly. You should draw up a plan to help you break down this process into multiple steps. One of the best ways to separate the job is to do a single room or area once a day. Start with rooms that you use the least such as the attic, basement, garage, or guest bedroom. Chances are you’ll have a lot of stuff stored here that you probably forgot about!

Use Up Consumables Before Moving Day

An easy way to reduce your clutter is to use up anything consumable before moving. Start this process as soon as you have decided you’re going to move as it might take you some time to go through everything in your pantry and storage. While you’re there, check the expiration dates on things like canned food, spices, condiments, etc. and throw out any that are expired.

Consumables aren’t just limited to food items. Other things that fall into this category include:

  • Personal care items – shampoo, soap, lotion, mouth wash
  • Household products – cleaning supplies, paper products, laundry detergent
  • Reading materials – newspapers, magazines, books

Make it a goal to bring as few consumable items to your new house as possible. It will take some planning, but you’ll thank yourself when it’s time to unpack!

Follow the One-Touch Rule for Efficient Packing

If you haven’t heard of this rule, it’s simple – if you pick something up, you have to deal with it. You cannot put it back down to sort out later. So be careful what you pick up while decluttering if you’re not ready to decide whether you want to keep an item or not!

It’s easy to get sidetracked when decluttering. Maybe you hesitate on an item and put it to the side, but then you completely forget about it. While having one or two extra items might not be a big deal, it’s all too easy for this number to balloon up to a dozen or more small things. Don’t go easy on yourself! Make sure to stick to the one-touch rule no matter how big or small the item is. You might need to take some time to mull over the decision, but you’ll ultimately progress faster with decluttering by following this method.

Don’t Buy New Stuff Before Move

This should come as a no-brainer, but you don’t want to increase the amount of things you own before the move. Anything new you bring will be one more thing you’ll need to pack. Your goal is to use up as much stuff as you can! If you’re a few months out from your move and you notice you’re running out of some items, get a smaller size than you normally would. For example, buy individual rolls of toilet paper or paper towels instead of the large packs. Yes, individual items are more expensive, but do you really want to move an opened pack of paper towels?

The same goes for larger items. There’s no reason to buy that chair or table right before you move. Not only are you increasing the potential cost of your move, you might not even like the way that item looks in your new home. Before making any kind of purchase, consider if you really need that particular item right now or if it can wait until you move. Chances are, it can probably wait.

Encourage Everyone to Get Involved

There’s no reason you should do all the decluttering yourself if you have a family. Plus, it will go a lot faster if you get some help from family when declutter and everyone will hopefully be a lot happier. When getting others involved, make sure to set up some ground rules. Maybe that means that teaching them the one-touch rule or perhaps setting an expectation to fill at least one trash bag per room.

If you have very young children, you can still get them involved and have them declutter their own things. It will take time and patience. If you’re short on both, then it will be up to you to do it. Should you choose to get them involved don’t make things too complicated. Ask them if they still play with particular toys and/or if they’re ready to let go of a few. Some children might be very possessive of their things, so it might be better to ask them to point out their most favorite toys, clothes, etc.

With your partner, you should make sure that they declutter their spaces and set up the same rules. Some people are natural packrates. If you think your partner is one, you might need to check in on them to make sure they’re actually getting rid of items. Encourage them to be honest with their assessment so they can figure out what they truly use, need, and/or love.

Go Through Everything

Decluttering isn’t a short process. It’s time consuming, can save you money, and requires a lot of emotional and physical bandwidth. However, in order to get the most out of this process you should go through every single item you own from your furniture down to a pack of screws. Don’t forget to go through all your cabinets, drawers, and so on and reassess every gadget, tools, decor, clothes, etc. Some items will be easier to decide on versus other, more sentimental ones. However, be brutal when culling! Think about how easy it will be to pack and unpack once you get to your new home.

Once you’ve pruned your belongings, sell or donate whatever is in good shape. You can host a garage sale to get rid of the majority of your items. For whatever is left, give it away to friends, family, neighbors, etc. for free. You can donate whatever is left. For items that are past their prime, throw them out. Make sure to ask your sanitation department what to do for bulky items and electronics as there’s often a separate system.

Get Decluttering!

When moving into a new home, the last thing you want to do is bring a lot of old, dusty, and/or broken stuff with you that you’ll only have to get rid of later. Decluttering can save you money and time. In fact, it might even give you some extra pocket money when it comes to refurnishing your new home. Once you’re ready, give professional NJ movers a call to reduce your stress.

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General

How to Find Your Perfect Peaceful NJ Home

How to Find Your Perfect NJ Home

Maybe you’re ready to finally move out of an apartment and into your first home. Finding the perfect house for you can be a great feeling. However, it can also be fraught with problems, especially for first-time buyers. Since most people tend to live in their first home for around 5-10 years, you need to consider the time commitment and money that comes with owning a home. That means it’s important for you to take your time before making a decision.

Know Your Moving Budget

You can’t start shopping for homes until you know how much you can afford. When finding your maximum price range, determine the monthly payments you can reasonably afford on your mortgage. This number might be lower than you expect as there are a variety of bills you need to worry about when owning a home such as heating, water, homeowners insurance, taxes, HOA fees, and more.

Once you find your mortgage payment you can comfortably make on a monthly basis, work backwards from there to your purchase price. If you can’t put down the standard 20% for down payment, you can still purchase a house, you’ll just need to pay a private mortgage insurance (PMI) on top of your mortgage.

Once you’ve found your maximum purchase price, you’ll need to connect with a lender who will then tell you whether you will be approved at your price point. This process is known as pre-approval and make it much easier to pcan urchase a home once you’re ready.

After that, work with a real estate agent and let them know your hard upper limit. You might need to make some concessions in terms of location, rooms, etc. if you don’t have a large budget. Just make sure you know what you’re getting beforehand.

In addition to the price of your home, make sure to set aside money for moving expenses, closing costs, and renovations if necessary.

Choose the Right Location for a Better Living Experience

Location is right up there with budget when it comes to finding a home that meets your needs. If you’re moving due to a new job, you might not have as much flexibility as those who are moving  for a change of scenery. With that said, you’ll still want to be on the lookout for a good location.

What is a good location? It varies by person. For some it might be a place with a good school district, for others it might be a good commute to work, and others might be more interested in being close to a bustling downtown area with restaurants and shops. Figure out what is most important to you when moving. Luckily, New Jersey offers plenty of options whether you want to live in a city or small town.

Remember that there are pros and cons of each. If you want to live near a large city like NJ, then you’ll end up paying a lot more than if you lived in a small town. Conversely, living in the countryside means lots of space and nature, but it also means you won’t have a lot of variety when it comes to food, entertainment, and more. It’s up to you to decide what’s important.

Prepare a Comprehensive Checklist of Essential Features You Need

Every potential home buyer has a list of things they want their dream house to have. Unfortunately, most people aren’t able to get their dream home the first time they buy a house. While having a walk-in closet, several bathrooms, and large eat-in kitchen might be nice, is it necessary? Before you go house hunting, write down a list of absolute necessities your home should have. Not everyone has the same requirements, but some things to consider include:

  • Number of bedrooms and bathrooms – how many people are in the house currently? Are you expecting that number to increase within 5-10 years? Plan ahead!
  • Size of kitchen and appliances – look for up-to-date appliances in the new home
  • Separate dining room – while not necessary, if you entertain a lot, a separate dining room might be a good option
  • Heating and cooling system – oil, wood, etc? Also, do you need central air?
  • Water and sewage – are you okay with getting your water from a well and having your sewage go to a septic tank? Or do you prefer public water?
  • Yardage – if you have kids and/or dogs you’ll want a place with plenty of outdoor space to run around.
  • Parking – Do you need a garage? If so, how many cars will need to fit in there? If there aren’t any homes with a driveway or garage, is there street parking?

When creating your list, make sure to consider what you’ll need in the future. Even if you don’t drive now, you might want to get a car in the future. A well and septic tank might seem okay now, but if you lose power you won’t be able to get any water or flush the toilet so consider this especially if you plan on relocating to an area that gets hit by storms.

Once you’ve written up your list of must haves, create another list of nice-to-haves. When you’ve started your search, you can then focus on homes that have extra features on top of the essentials.

Plan Your Home Decoration in Advance

Decorating your home is very personal and you might not like what the previous homeowners had done. Think about what rooms you will use the most should you move in and what changes you would need to make. Focus on the walls and ceilings, windows, other accents like crown molding, floors, etc. and think how they fit in your aesthetic.

With all that said, don’t overestimate potential. It’s all too easy to fall in love with the idea of what a room could be, but unless you already know the ins and outs of home renovation, chances are you’ll have no idea how long or how much it will cost. Even seemingly small updates can end up ballooning in cost. And if you’re thinking of renovating the kitchen, forget it. Unless you plan on just replacing the cabinets or tabletops, a kitchen renovation means you won’t be able to cook meals for months.

Finally, check every room for things like electrical outlets, windows, locks, faucets, etc. Everything might look fine at first glance, but chances are you’ll need to do a bit of finagling to get things how you want. All of these little changes and purchases add up and can end up costing you a few thousand dollars!

Hire a Professional Home Inspector Before Moving

Yes, it might cost you more money, but a good inspector can uncover reasons why you shouldn’t buy the house. It’s all too easy to cover up issues with a new coat of paint, but experienced home inspectors will be able to spot major structural issues with the foundation, condition of the roof, insulation, etc. There’s nothing worse than moving into a place that requires a full gut renovation after already spending hundreds of thousands of dollars purchasing it.

Before you decide to sign the contract, let the seller and real estate know that your contract to buy the house is contingent upon a satisfactory home inspection. Once you receive the report, you can then decide whether to buy or not. If there are only small issues, you might still be able to renegotiate the price based on how much you think it would cost to repair these problems.

If you’re in a hot housing market, the sellers might not be interested in waiting for you to receive a home inspection report. While it’s still recommended to hire a home inspector, if you really love the house then it’s up to you to ask questions and look around. Check all the floors, walls, and ceilings for anything that might suggest problems such as water damage, termite damage, crumbling foundation, etc.

Shop Around

If you’ve never owned a home before, almost every home might seem amazing and many real estate agents might pressure you to buy as soon as possible. However, don’t feel pressured to buy something that doesn’t suit your needs. Don’t buy a condo because it’s cheaper than a home if you hate living with dozens of other people. Sure, you might need to make some compromises, but always keep your must-have list handy so you can refer to it while you’re shopping.

At the same time, be open to continuing your search until you find a house that matches your budget and needs. It might seem impossible, especially with how quickly houses are being snatched off the market, but you’ll be thankful you took the time to look for a place that is suitable for you. In order to find the perfect place, you’ll want to use an agent. Sure, it might be tempting to do it all yourself, but an agent knows much more about real estate than you and can negotiate on your behalf.

Find Your Perfect NJ Home

House hunting can be a grueling affair and it requires a lot of careful planning and consideration. At the same time, you don’t want to drag your feet too much as there might be someone else who will snatch up your house.

Fortunately, the tips below can help make the home-buying process a bit smoother. And once you’ve found your new home, make sure to call NJ movers to transport your belongings to your new place.

Categories
Local Moving Long-Distance Moving

What’s the Difference Between Local and Long Distance Moves?

What's the Difference Between Local and Long-Distance Moves

One of the first questions you’ll get when you call professional movers is whether you are making a local or long-distance move. While it’s obvious there are differences between the moves, it might be hard to understand the intricacies from a customer standpoint. Knowing what kind of move you’re going to need will help you save time, effort, and money in the long run. So what are the differences?

Local vs. Long Distance Move

It might be obvious that a move down the street would be considered a local move, but what if you’re moving 5+ hours away in the same state? Generally, a local move is defined as moving either within the same city or within a 50-70 mile radius of your current home.

On the flip-side, a long distance move is one that is more than 70 miles away and generally requires crossing state lines. Long distance moves require careful planning to ensure that the delivery arrives at the right place at the right time. Long distance moves might be calculated in days versus hours depending on how far you’re going. More importantly, crossing state lines means the movers will need additional insurance and licenses to cover different locations and policies.

So what happens if you’re moving 50-70 miles away but it’s in a different state? Well that depends on the movers and your location. For example, many NYC moving companies consider bordering cities in New Jersey and Connecticut to be a local move. Don’t assume that’s the case with all movers, though. You should always give your new address and ask questions!

Price Calculation Local vs. Long Distance

Understanding quotes and estimates from local movers should be straightforward so long as you are working with a reputable company. When talking to the company, give as much information as possible. The more detailed you are, the more accurate the quote will be. The most obvious information is how big your house is, your current address, and your new address. However, don’t forget to note:

  • If the movers will need to go up/down stairs at either of your houses
  • What extra services you’ll need (packing, storage, unpacking, packing materials)
  • Whether you’re moving any bulky items like pianos, pool tables, etc.

Based on the information you give them, they will calculate how many hours it will take them to move, how many movers you’ll need, and any extra services you add on. You can usually get away with  having an extra box or two on moving day as that won’t increase the total amount of hours it takes for your move. Just don’t expect to not get charged extra if you end up with 10 extra boxes!

Long distance moves are calculated differently. There are several factors they take into account to determine the total cost including:

  • How much you’re moving
  • The distance between the origin and destination
  • The total weight of items

Moving companies are required by law to charge by the pound. They must also follow the interstate tariff set by the United States Department of Transportation and might provide discounts. Long distance movers will set their charges in one of two ways:

  • Binding estimate – the movers will estimate the weight before providing the price
  • Weight – you get a price per pound and the moving company will weigh everything after

When you’re deciding which movers to use, try to find one that provides a binding estimate. As the name suggests, whatever price the movers give you will become a fixed cost. If you agree to the estimate, you will pay that price, nothing higher and nothing lower. Make sure to obtain quotes from several different places before you agree to the estimate as some moving companies might overcharge you. Also, you won’t be able to sneak an extra box or piece of furniture even if you have a binding estimate. After all, the estimate was only for the items you told them about. If you add anything new, you and the movers will have to renegotiate so it behooves you to be as upfront as possible.

Tips for a Local Move

Even if you’re moving down the street, you’ll want to stay organized when it comes to your local move. There might be no way to get rid of stress completely, but the following tips can make the transition much easier:

  • Find a daycare for your kids AND pets – depending on how old your kids are they might be helpful, but young children can easily become a distraction and might even find themselves in dangerous situations. The same is true for pets. If possible, entrust your kids and pets to friends or family members.
  • Choose your moving day wisely – there are a lot of things to consider when choosing when you will actually move. If you live in an apartment, you might not have that luxury since you have to be out by a certain date. However, think about the time you want the movers to show up as well as the day of the week. Weekends are usually busier, but more people might be available to help out. Weekends might be quieter, but you’ll need to take time off of work. Weigh the pros and cons beforehand so you’re not leaving the decision to the last minute.
  • Ask for help – there’s no shame in asking for help. Moving is a long and tedious process so the more help you can get the better. Your best bet is to call in professional movers to help load and unload your truck, but for everything else you should rely on friends and family. Bribe them with some treats if necessary to help spread the work.
  • Prepare your new home – depending on how much time you have, how far away your new home is, and whether or not someone is still occupying your new home, you might be able to prepare your new home before moving day. Take advantage of that time if you can! Do some light cleaning, look for trouble areas and patch them up, paint the walls, etc. Heck, you can even set up your small play area for your kids and pets so they have somewhere to hang out the first day/night.

Tips for a Long Distance Move

Long distance moves require a lot more planning and consideration especially if you’re moving cross-country. You will need to figure out when you will be available to receive the movers at your new place and whether you’re going to storage in transit. That means planning out your route, planned stops, and leaving plenty of room for traffic problems. Some other tips to make your long distance move go a bit smoother include:

  • Updating important documents – changing your address means you’ll also need to update your information in a lot of different places. If you’re moving to a new state, you’ll need to get a new driver’s license and registration. Don’t forget that you’ll need to update your address at your bank and online ordering sites!
  • Label your boxes with your name – during a long distance move your boxes will most likely be on a moving truck that is shared with other families. In order to prevent any mix ups, label every box with your name and phone number just in case it gets dropped off at the wrong house.
  • Triple-check your inventory – You will need to provide a detailed inventory to the movers before they load up the truck. Don’t lose this list! When the movers arrive at your new place, triple-check to make sure everything has arrived before the movers leave. That way, you can figure out if anything is missing.
  • Take extra care when packing – While you should always pack your items with care, you should be especially diligent when moving long distances. There’s more opportunities for your belongings to get damaged the longer they are on the road. Wrap your fragile items with bubble wrap, paper, and old t-shirts to prevent vibrations. Tape the sides of all your boxes for added sturdiness.

Make Your Local or Long Distance Move

Now that you know the two different types of moves, you’ll need to find a reputable moving company to help you! Great Movers can help you with every move and will walk you through every step of the way. We’ll do our best to create a customized moving plan to suit your budget and needs. Simply contact us and we’ll provide a free quote.

Categories
Moving Tips

Useful Tips for Moving in the Winter

Useful Tips for Moving in the Winter

There’s a reason why most people move during the summer. Despite the heat, it’s a lot easier to manage since you have more sunlight and only need to deal with summer thunderstorms. When you live in a place like New Jersey that often has to deal with frigid temperatures and snow during the winter, it makes sense why people would choose any other season to move. However, you might not always be able to move during the warmer months. If you find yourself moving in the winter, the following tips should hopefully make it easier.

Clean Your Driveway and Walkways Before the Move

If you live in a house versus an apartment building, you’ll want to create a safe environment for moving. Winter weather conditions make it more dangerous than any other month as there’s a greater chance to slip because of all the ice and snow. Before the movers arrive, shovel away any snow in the driveway and parking area and clear a neat path from your house to where the truck will park. Make sure you also de-ice the walkways and sidewalk as you don’t want to risk slipping and falling. Don’t forget that you will need to do the same thing at your new place!

Protect Your Floors Before the Movers Arrive

While professional movers will usually bring tarp and plastic sheets for the ground, it doesn’t hurt to get your own to put down some plastic sheets in all the rooms in your house. Remember, the movers will be walking through your entire place. If there’s snow on the ground, it means they’ll be bringing in a lot of mud and dirt that you’ll need to clean up later. You’ve got more than enough to worry about on moving day. Scrubbing mud shouldn’t be one of them!

Protect Your Belongings from Weather Conditions

When you pack your items, make sure to protect certain items from the cold. Things like dishes and glassware are especially susceptible to cracks due to quick temperature changes. Electronics are also sensitive to the cold. Your best bet is to double wrap everything in thick blankets to improve the transition from warm house to cold truck. You could also ask the movers to pack these items last to reduce the amount of time they are exposed to the cold. Another option is to pack these items in your car if you have the space.

For the rest of your belongings, you should weatherproof them as much as possible. Chances are you’ll be dealing with snow or freezing rain. The last thing you want is your boxes and furniture to get wet. So invest in some rain gear for them. If you’re working with professional NJ movers, they will bring plastic sheets and padded mattresses to protect your furniture. When it comes to your boxed items, use heavy-duty boxes or rent plastic bins to keep your stuff from getting wet.

Wear Warm Clothes When Moving in Winter

Even if you’re not loading/unloading everything yourself, you’ll still want to put a few boxes in your car for safe keeping. Wear warm gloves and some winter boots to keep your extremities warm. You want to make sure you have all your winter necessities accessible for everyone in the family. If there’s a chance of sleet or snow during the day, pack an extra pair of clothes for when you move into your new place. There’s nothing worse than dealing with wet socks and pants while unpacking.

Pack a Winter Essentials Kit

You’re more likely to deal with blackouts and other issues during the winter than in the spring or summer months. While you don’t need go too crazy, you should have a separate box of emergency essentials in case of a power outage such as:

  • Warm blankets
  • Candles
  • Flashlights
  • First aid kit
  • Toiletries
  • Extra set of clothes
  • Non-perishable food

Anything can happen during the winter, so you want to make sure you are prepared.

Check the Weather

Winter storms can be unpredictable and what might have been a light flurry a week ago could change into a blizzard a few days before your move. Keep a close eye on the weather reports in the week leading up to the move and then every day the week of the move. If there’s going to be a severe storm the day of, contact the movers to express your concern. Chances are the movers will be more than happy to delay by a few hours or even the following day if there’s a blizzard or ice storm on your scheduled move date.

Turn On Your Utilities at Your New Place

There’s nothing worse than moving into your new place only to have no heat or light, especially when it’s the middle of winter. After a day of moving in the cold weather, you want to relax in your nice warm house and take a warm shower or bath to wash away the stress. Before you move into your new place, call the utilities for your new home and make sure they are turned on at least two days before your move. Sure, you might end up having to pay twice to cover the cost of your old and new home, but having a cozy home to move into is worth the extra cost.

Take Care of the Moving Crew

Moving in the winter is more difficult than in the summer as there’s more variables to worry about especially when it comes to road conditions. Your best bet is to use a moving company to load and unload all your belongings. They’ll have more experience and be better equipped to deal with any issues that crop up.

To thank the movers for their hard work, offer some warm beverages for them when they need a break. This could be something like coffee, tea, or even apple cider. Once they’re done with the move, consider giving a larger tip than normal, especially if they are moving during inclement weather.

Try Not to Stress During Your Winter Move

It’s easy to say, but you should remember to take a breather. Moving is anxiety inducing at the best of times. With the added complications of winter, it can be even more stressful. Still, with the right preparations you can make your winter move a lot easier and safer by NJ Great Movers.