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If you live in a bigger home, it may take a while to pack all of your stuff. It's important that you know how to properly pack and label your things for a stress-free move.
Check out our moving tips below.
DONT Surprise the Movers
Avoid surprising your movers with a freestanding bath you recently purchased or a jacuzzi.
If you intend to do this, notify them ahead of time so they can prepare.
They may need extra equipment to help them move extremely heavy stuff.
1. Offer Refreshments
Moving can be tedious, especially if you have lots of heavy stuff at home.
The movers will most likely sweat after lifting heavy appliances.
They will be grateful when you offer them a light snack or some cold drinks to fuel them up.
2. Avoid Telling Them What To Do
Keep in mind that movers know what they are doing.
They are professionals experienced in moving stuff from point A to point B.
They know how to handle fragile things.
3. Valuable Items Should be Kept in your Car
Just let your movers focus on the heavy lifting and take your jewelry or other items such as smaller electronics with you.
Also, remember that some items will not be allowed in some trucks, such as flammable or perishable stuff.
Speak with your movers about the limitations and make sure you follow instructions for a hassle-free move.
4. Keep Kids and Pets Away from the Movers
Do this for your pets as well. If it's not possible, you can just place your pets in an empty room, preferably with the door closed, so they won't wander around the house.
Make sure that they have enough food, water, and maybe some toys to keep them preoccupied.
Kids usually behave when they have something to keep them busy, such as a smartphone or an iPad, toys, food or board games.
You can also have someone take them to a nearby park while boxes are being loaded up.
5. Always Double-Check
Check through the rooms one by one to ensure that you have left nothing behind.
Look through common hiding spots such as your medicine cabinets, kitchen drawers, attic, and dishwasher.
They won't be able to pack the leftover food, so take it with you in the car or throw it away.
6. Clean
Sweep the floors and get rid of all the stuff that shouldn't be there.
You can also do this a day before your move to make sure that everything is ready.
If this isn't possible before the moving day, clean each room as they are emptied by the movers.
By the time everything is on the moving truck, your old home will be clean and tidy. This will save you time and money.
7. Make Sure Movers Have Hassle-Free Access
You should be able to arrange everything to avoid any problem and delay your move.
Should there be parking limitations, make sure that you work it out with the building manager for a hassle-free move.
Make sure the movers have easy access in and out of your apartment.
8. Stay Out of Their Way
This is why it's important that you properly label all the boxes to make it easier for the movers and to ensure that fragile things are handled well.
9. Do Not go AWOL on Your Movers
They might have other questions or concerns requiring your assistance. Someone has to be there to solve any issue.
This ensures that the move will go smoothly and without any problems.
10. Have Your Payment Ready
For cash payments, make sure that you have enough money to pay for the actual cost of your move.
It would be time-consuming if you needed to get to the bank to withdraw money.
You may also decide to tip your movers to show more appreciation for a job well done.
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10 Things To Consider When Choosing an Apartment
Choosing an apartment doesn't have to be a tiresome, tedious task.
As long as you ask the right questions of the apartment manager, and know what to consider when choosing an apartment, you can filter out less savory options with ease and find the best one for you.
Here are 10 suggestions for what to look for when apartment hunting, but don't be afraid to ask the apartment manager more about specifics!
1. Does the Apartment Allow Pets?
Whether an apartment allows pets or not is important whether you have an animal companion or not.
Find out which breeds of dogs and other animals are barred from the property. Many landlords don't allow fighting dog breeds, for example.
If you have an exotic pet, you may have to ask the apartment manager directly.
If you don't have animals but have allergies, it's doubly important to ask which animals are allowed. For example, if you have a cat dander allergy, but the apartment does not allow cats, you are probably safe to rent there.
2. Is Smoking Allowed on the Property?
Again, this is important to consider whether you smoke or not.
If you don't smoke but the apartment allows it, consider how close your apartment is to the outdoor smoking areas, and be sure to find out whether a smoker was a resident before you if indoor smoking is allowed.
If you are a smoker, it's also important to consider what you are lighting up. While there are many states that have now legalized cannabis, private businesses still have the power to ban its use on their property.
Check the apartment's lease contract to find out the company's policy on non-tobacco smoking.
3. How Convenient is the Location?
Location and convenient access to the local area are key factors in choosing the right apartment. Think about where you go regularly, whether that be school, work, or otherwise.
Choose an apartment that doesn't force you to drive an extra 30 minutes on your commute, an apartment that works with your lifestyle rather than altering it.
Consider going on a dry-run to your top spots from the apartment before signing a lease, to get a feel for the local traffic and roads.
4. What Utilities Come With the Lease?
It's becoming more and more common to see full utility coverage in modern leases, especially around colleges. This usually raises the price of the monthly rent payment, but you will worry less about making payments on time and managing multiple bills.
However, in some situations, it is actually cheaper to choose an apartment that does not have utilities included. If you don't use a lot of water or electricity, the $80 addition to your rent each month will feel a lot more expensive than managing your utilities privately.
Consider the average utility costs, and look at what's covered vs what you are responsible for.
5. What About Amenities?
Amenities are extra things that aren't required but are a nice bonus to the rest of the apartment's features. Amenities include features like hot tubs, exercise rooms, clubhouses, and even laundry facilities.
Amenities are sometimes paid upfront with the application fee, but sometimes the amenity fee is added to the monthly rent. Consider what extras you need and which you could do without before committing to those payments!
6. How Long Will You Lease?
The length of your lease can determine a lot of things for the apartment manager. Some states do not control the cost of rent, and as a result, companies can charge different rates for different lengths of stay.
Typically, the longer you commit to in your lease, the cheaper your monthly payments will be. If you only want to stay for half a year, make sure to double-check the rent rate being offered — the difference between a one-year contract and a half-a-year contract can be staggering.
7. What's the Neighborhood Like?
One thing not everybody considers is what the neighbors are like, and what the surrounding neighborhood is like. College towns tend to be rowdy the closer you get to university grounds, for example. On the other hand, small complexes in suburbs tend to be quiet and unobtrusive.
Don't be afraid to knock on a few doors and ask current residents what the community is like.
While it might feel like you're being annoying, you might just find someone who had an awful experience and learns information that will dissuade you from choosing the wrong apartment.
8. Has the Apartment Been Renovated?
Renovations in apartments are becoming more commonplace. It's a way for an apartment company to charge a little bit more each month for a more modernized layout and design.
Oftentimes, renovated apartments come with better kitchen appliances, new paint, new furniture (if the apartment is pre-furnished), and a host of other improvements.
If you can budget for it, renovated apartments are in every way an upgrade from outdated ones, but rent will be significantly more each month.
9. What Costs/Services Aren't Covered?
The apartment might cover some utilities, offer amenities, and pay for some services for the tenants like trash removal. Consider, though, what is not covered when choosing the right apartment.
The apartment may not pay for snow removal in winter, or it won't include renter's insurance as part of the rent.
It's just as important to know what is your responsibility and what your apartment manager covers.
10. What Do the Reviews Say?
Lastly, check the reviews for the apartment or apartment complex online with sites like Google Reviews and Yelp, and on social media. You will find comments both positive and negative from real residents, and you can also see the company's response to online criticism.
Take some of these reviews with a grain of salt, though, as it's more common for angry, frustrated people to write negative reviews than someone who had a decent experience.
Choosing an Apartment for You
There are a lot of questions to ask when it comes to how to choose an apartment, and a lot of information to filter through in pinpointing a perfect match. In addition to every apartment hunting tip listed above, don't be afraid to ask more pointed questions of the apartment managers.
The best way to find out all of this information is by taking a tour, by being there in person.
Check out our apartment floor plans at The Pines of Southmoor in Greeley, CO to find out some of this information on our own apartments!
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