Moving Tips for Newlyweds!

Happy Valentines Day! In honor of this day, we thought it would be appropriate to give some moving tips to the lovebirds out there that are getting ready to tie the knot. Marriage brings more than just two people together- it is also a union of all of their belongings into one home, which can be an overwhelming process. Both getting married and moving are stressful life events (in a good way!) If they occur at the same time, which is often the case, the stress can double. Planning ahead, proper packing, and organization can ease the stress of the moving process so that couples can enjoy the honeymoon a little bit longer. Here are some tips on how to ensure that wedded bliss continues throughout your move:

1.      Don’t procrastinate: Although it is tempting to focus all of your energy on the wedding and honeymoon, don’t forget to focus some of your attention on your upcoming move. Start planning and getting ready at least six weeks in advance of you move. Waiting to the last minute to prepare for your move will dramatically increase the stress on everyone.

2.      Take inventory of your belongings: Before your move, take inventory of all of your belongings and have your spouse do the same. Each person should then make a list of the items that they want to keep. Compare lists so that you can see where items overlap. You can save a good amount of time and money by getting rid of any duplicate items before you start packing.

3.      Visualize your new home. Compare the amount of space in your new home with that of your current home. Try to visualize where you’ll place your furniture and other items to determine which items you should bring with you, and which items you should sell, give away, or store.

4.      Take an emotional break if needed. Parting with certain belongings can be difficult, especially during the emotional time of preparing for marriage. If needed, give yourself a one week break before going through your items again with a more critical eye. Once you get accustomed to the idea of parting with certain things, it may be easier to make a final decision.

5.      Get some help! Consider hiring a professional mover (preferably Sorensen Mayflower!) to help you with your move. We will come to your home, walk you through the moving process, and give you a price estimate up front. Then, allow us to carefully pack and move all of your belongings (including wedding gifts such as china and crystal!) Hiring a professional mover takes much of the stress of moving away and enables you to focus your attention on your relationship.

Happy Valentines Day from Sorensen Mayflower. We hope that your day is filled with lots of love!

 

 

Ten Steps to Buying a Home

Are you moving and looking to purchase a new home? Navigating the housing market can be difficult. Here are some steps that you can take to make the search for a new home at a reasonable price a little easier.

1.      Review your credit report. It is important to check your credit report for errors before jumping into the housing search. Consumers are allowed one free report per year at www.annualcreditreport.com. Because it can sometimes take a while to clear up errors on your credit report, it’s a good idea to look at your credit history several months in advance of beginning your housing search.  

 

2.      Get approved for a mortgage. Try to get offers from several mortgage lenders before choosing one. This way, you can see what your price range will be before starting your search, and won’t waste time and energy looking at homes that you can’t afford.  

3.      Hire a realtor. Realtors have inside connections in the local market, and often know of homes that are available that might not be listed publicly. Additionally, a realtor knows the tricks to brokering a deal, which can save homebuyers lots of money and aggravation.

4.      Decide where you want to live and examine your choices. Search the internet for homes that catch your interest. Avoid listings that don’t provide a picture, as this usually indicates that the property is not visually appealing.  

5.      Compare prices. Compare the prices of the homes that you are looking at with others that are similar and have sold in the last 60 days. This way, you can make sure that the property that you are looking at is listed at a fair price.

6.      Perform an inspection. This is an important step in ensuring that the home that you are looking at is safe and does not need any renovations. If you are making an offer, it is a good idea to make it contingent on an acceptable home inspection. If the inspection uncovers areas that need improvements in the home, this can be used as a leverage by the buyer at closing time. 

7.      Talk about closing costs ahead of time. By law, prospective homebuyers are permitted to see the closing costs, which typically average from 1.5 to 4 percent of the purchase price. Ask to do so ahead of time so that you have the chance to dispute costs that seem unfair or inappropriate. 

8.      Make an offer. Consult your realtor before making an offer. Try to be as flexible as possible with the sellers. Homebuyers who are agreeable and willing to make minor concessions are more attractive to sellers.  

9.      Decide on a down payment. Most experts recommend making a down payment of about 20% of the total cost of the home. Not only does this provide you with immediate equity, but it also gives you a lower interest rate on your mortgage. Finally, it makes you appear to be a serious, qualified buyer, which is important if you are competing with other buyers for the property. 

10.  Claim tax benefits. There are several closing costs that are tax deductible. For example, the pro-rated interest from the time you close on the home until the end of the first month and any mortgage points that are paid can be deducted from your taxes.  Talk to the person who helps you prepare your taxes to find out more about tax deductible closing costs.

We wish you luck with your quest to find a new home. We hope that you will use Sorensen Mayflower when it comes time for you to move into it!

Home Upgrades That Are Worth Your Money

Many of our customers find themselves either about to put their home on the market, or looking at ways to fix up a new home before moving into it. If you are in this position, here are some home remodeling projects that are worth your time and money:

1.      Window replacement. Although it can be a little pricey up front, replacing your windows increases the energy efficiency of your home and yields high financial returns. For example, switching double hung windows with insulated wood replacement windows costs about $11,000, and returns about 80% of the money invested into this project. Insulated vinyl replacement windows are about $10,000 and return about 79% of the money put into them.

2.      Minor kitchen remodel. Initiating a minor kitchen remodel (new countertops, appliances, sink, faucet, cabinets, and hardware) is a good idea, especially if you are looking to sell your home. This is because potential homebuyers often overestimate what it would cost to update the kitchen, so are less likely to buy if they feel that the kitchen needs work. On average, a minor kitchen remodel costs about $19,000. Though this is a lot of money up front, the project returns an average of about 83% of its cost back into the value of the home, and makes your home more appealing to potential buyers.

3.      Garage door replacement. You can greatly enhance the curb appeal of your home by upgrading your garage door. On average, this costs about $1,500 and returns about 84% of the money spent on this project.

4.      Converting attic space to a bedroom. Renovating the space in your attic to create another bedroom is an excellent way to increase the value of your home. Renovating within the walls of your home allows you to create extra space without having to spend money on building an addition or expanding the roof and foundation of your home. Converting attic space to a bedroom typically yields about an 84% return of the amount spent on this project, so is well worth the expense.

5.      Adding a wood deck. This project costs about $9,500 and returns about 87% of the money spent on it. Adding a wood deck is an easy way to increase the value of your home without having to fork out too much money in the long run.

6.      Front door. If chosen carefully, a steel front door replacement can greatly enhance the curb appeal of your home and on average, adds about 97% of the amount you spent into the value of your home.

7.      Siding replacement. On average, it costs about $11,500 to replace 1250 square feet of siding with new, vinyl siding. In addition to making your home look more appealing from the outside, this project will return about 78% of the amount spent into the value of your home.

8.      Basement remodel. Finishing the lower level of your home to include an entertainment area and bathroom costs about $63,000. You can expect to get about 78% of the project’s cost back when you sell your home. In the meantime, you have the added enjoyment of extra living space.

There are lots of home improvement projects out there, and many of them can be quite expensive. If you are looking to sell your house or are in the process of remodeling a home to move into, these are just a few projects that will allow you to get the most bang out of your buck!

Checklist of Items to Take With You When You Move

Last time, we focused on important documents to keep with you during your move.  Now, let’s touch on some other items that you will want to make sure that you have on your person when moving.

1.      Packing supply kit: This includes a spare box, a marker, and packing tape. This will be handy if you forget to pack something and have to do it last minute.

 

2.      Paper products: Toilet paper, napkins, and paper towels. You don’t want to get to your new house and have to dig around for these items! 

3.      Plastic plates/ silverware: This way you don’t have to unpack all of your kitchen items before having a meal in your new home. 

4.      Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, shampoo, soap, and deodorant. You might also want to include a shower curtain and hooks if your new home does not have an enclosed shower. At the end of moving day, there is nothing like a hot shower to unwind. You don’t want to have to look through all of your boxes to be able to take one!

5.      Pet supplies: Leash, bed, food, and bowls. You want to make sure your pet is as comfortable as possible throughout your move.

6.      Medical needs: Prescriptions, over the counter meds, contact solution, etc. will all need to be easily accessible so bring it with you rather than packing it onto the truck. 

7.      Technology: Computers, phones, tablets, and their chargers. This way, you can stay plugged in and communicate with others throughout your move.  

8.      Healthy snacks: Moving is hard work, so snacks will give you the energy boost you need to get through the day. Easy snacks include nuts, peanut butter crackers, granola bars, and fruit.

9.      Sentimental items: Photographs, albums, letters, home videos and the like are all items that you will want to bring with you. This way they will not risk being damaged or lost.  

10.  Jewelry: Most moving companies require that you take your jewelry with you, so be prepared to do so.

We hope that this checklist makes your move a little easier! Until next time, have a great week!

Simplifying Your Move

Preparing for a move can definitely be chaotic at times.  There are so many arrangements to make and items to organize that it is pretty common to forget something. Probably one of the most inconvenient misfortunes is packing something onto the moving truck that you meant to hand carry or place in your luggage for security or convenience purposes.  Before the packers arrive, we recommend placing all of the items that you want to keep on your person during the move in a designated area. This way they don’t accidentally get placed on the moving truck.

Important Documents
Moving requires lots of paperwork, most of which you should keep with you in order to protect your identity, your assets, and to make the transition to your new home as smooth as possible. Today we will focus on the documents that you will want carry with you when you move:

-Identification for each family member. This includes driver licenses, social security cards, birth certificates, marriage certificates, naturalization certificates, passports, and military IDs. 

-Vehicle documentation. This includes your insurance, registration, title or lease information, and proof of vehicle inspection.

-Financial information. For security purposes, you will want to bring personal checks, bank statements, and any credit/ debit cards with you. It is also a good idea to travel with a little bit of cash on you, especially if are driving and will be passing through tolls.

-Housing documents. Bring your lease or mortgage paperwork with you, as well as the household inventory provided by your moving company.

-Legal paperwork. Carry any legal documents, such as wills, power of attorney, custody/ adoption paperwork, and divorce/ annulment paperwork with you. 

-School records. Bring transcripts, report cards, and any grade sheets that your child might need at his/ her new school with you so that school registration goes smoothly.

-Employment documents. Transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a current resume are all items that you will want to carry with you.

-Medical records. This includes dental records, treatment plans, vaccination records, and any prescription information that you may have. 

Are you wondering how you should transport all of these documents? A folder will definitely work, but a small safe might be even better. It is also a good idea to backup these documents by saving them on a hard drive or flash drive. 

Here at Sorensen Mayflower, we are all about making your move as easy as possible. We hope that these tips have helped to do just that. Stay posted for next time as we list other items that you will want to keep with you when you move.

Moving During the Holidays

With the break in the school year, many families find themselves moving during the holidays. Moving on its own can be a stressful time, so moving during the holidays can be especially challenging. We want your holiday season to be joyful, even if you are moving. Here are some quick tips to help you to have a special holiday, even if you find yourself far from home.

1.       Find a festive place to stay. If you will be in a hotel over the holidays, try to stay in a place that is planning a holiday celebration.

2.       Bring holiday spirit with you. If you have room in your car, pack some of your favorite holiday decorations and use them in your hotel room. For example, stockings pack easily and can help make a hotel room feel more like home.

3.       Ship your gifts. Shopping for Christmas gifts online might be your easiest option this year. Have them shipped to where you will be staying so that you don’t have to worry about taking them with you. If there is an option to have the item giftwrapped, this might be a good idea as well. This way, you won’t have to dig through moving boxes to try to find scissors, tape, etc.

4.       Pick your favorite holiday traditions and do them anyways! Whether it’s going to church or reading a special story on Christmas Eve, everybody has their own favorite traditions. Despite being on the move or in a new place, try to carry out a few of your traditions this year. It will help to keep you grounded despite all of the changes going on around you.

5.       Begin a new holiday tradition. This is a great year to step out of the box and try something new. Rather than staying home, go out to dinner on Christmas Eve or check out a local holiday concert. You might find that you like it enough to do it again in the coming years, even when you are settled.

6.       Stay connected: With the latest technology, it is easier than ever to stay in touch with friends and family. Video chats are a great way to “see” family during the holidays. Although it is not as good as actually being together, seeing family and friends over the internet/ phone is a great way to feel close to them despite the distance.

7.       Don’t forget to budget: Both moving and the holiday season can be expensive times. Make sure to keep an eye on your budget to keep financial stress at bay.

8.       Have a good attitude: The holidays are meant to be filled with peace and joy. Remember to keep the spirit of the holidays with you, regardless of where you find yourself celebrating. 

If you are in the midst of a move this holiday season, please let us know if there is any way that we can make this time easier for you. No matter where you find yourself this Christmas, we hope that it is full of love and joy! Merry Christmas from all of us here at Sorensen Mayflower!

Reaching Out this Holiday Season

What better way to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas than to give back to the community that has blessed us with so much? For the last twenty years, Sorensen has done just that by participating in Florida Today’s Reaching Out program.
 
Florida Today created the Reaching Out Holiday Fund to brighten the Christmas season for less fortunate children in the community and local seniors in need. Florida Today collects donations from individuals, groups, and corporations to buy and distribute books and toys to thousands of children in Brevard County who otherwise may not receive a gift this holiday season. Reaching Out funds are also used to provide small gifts of comfort to local seniors who are living alone. 

We at Sorensen are happy to be able to use our warehouse as a place for the toys to be delivered and sorted before they are distributed throughout the county. Tomorrow, our employees will partner with others from the community to sort the toys and load them onto our truck to be distributed to various sites throughout the county later this week. We feel blessed to be able to participate in this wonderful event.  Merry Christmas from Sorensen Moving and Storage!