How To Get Your Pet Used To Your New Place:

We’ve talked about what to do with your pets on moving day. We’ve even talked about how to move your pets, but what should you do once you’ve moved, and your pets are freaking out about all the strange smells and the strange floor plan?

There’s good news and bad news. The bad news is that the first few days might be a bit stressful. The good news is that pets generally adapt fairly quickly. Here are some tips to make your furbabies adapt even more quickly.

Don’t Do Laundry

This might seem a little insane, and we’re not suggesting you send your kids to school with dirty clothes, but we are suggesting that you hold off on washing your pet’s bedding, and clothing if applicable. While you’re not washing your pet’s bedding, you might also want to leave a dirty t-shirt or two out of the wash. Your pet will like as many familiar smells as possible.

Quality Time

Don’t wait until you’re settled to explore dog parks and hiking trails. Your dog needs you more than ever, and there’s nothing that says “I love you” to a dog better than spending quality time together.

Everything Your Pet Loves

Your dog might have some separation anxiety after the move. If hiring a dog walker, or leaving your dog in daycare isn’t an option, give your buddy lots of chew toys. Fill a Kong with peanut butter or cheese. Your furniture and shoes will thank you later. Leave your cat’s favorite toys and treats as well.

Talk to Them

Your cat might hide in a closet or under the bed for a couple of days. That’s normal. That doesn’t mean you should give up on him, though. Talk to him in a soothing voice. It might not bring him out right away, but it will help make him feel as though the new home is his.

Don’t Change Their Routine

When you’re in the middle of a move, it’s easy to throw routine out the window, but it’s important that you keep your pets in their routine. Feed them at their normal time. If you’re moving to a different timezone, gradually get them used to the new time, perhaps by moving their feeding time by 15 minutes each week.

20 Things to Do Before Buying a House

20 Tips For Buying A Home

What are the most important things to do before buying a house? An excellent question is it not?

Being informed is important when you are making big financial decisions, and there are few financial decisions bigger than buying a home. Take the time to educate yourself about what you are getting into before you commit to buying any property. The following tips are here to help you get started. These 20 things to do before the purchase of a house will put you in a position for not only a smooth transaction but a pleasant first time home ownership experience.

1. Know your credit score.

Your credit score is one of the biggest factors in what your loan terms will be. Know your score before you ever try to get a loan, and take the time to repair it if it is lower than 700. A good score which leads to a low-interest rate can save you tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. See how to raise your credit score to get better loan terms.

2. Have a lender pre-approve you before shopping.

What to do before buying a house includes getting pre-approved. In fact, it is one of the most important parts of the home buying process!Pre-approval means you should be able to get the loan as long as nothing changes about your financial situation or your credit score.

A pre-approval letter also helps when you want to compete with another buyer for a home you love. One of the first things most sellers are going to ask their agent when receiving an offer is how qualified the buyer is to purchase. Sellers want to feel comfortable knowing the buyer is not going to get turned down for the loan. A home buyer should understand there is a difference between a mortgage pre-approval and a pre-qualification. To get pre-approved lenders will verify employment, income, and credit. Often this is not the case with a pre-qualification.

3. Shop the lender.

While getting pre-approved for a mortgage is a significant step for a first-time buyer so is shopping for the best deal possible. You will probably be paying the mortgage for a while so getting the lowest mortgage rate should be one of your prime considerations. Be sure to look at the annual percentage rate you are paying (commonly referred to as the APR) so you can compare apples to apples. With some loans, you may be paying more points or have higher closing costs than others. So when you are shopping for the best mortgage possible, don’t just look at the rate but the whole package.

4. Know every expense.

There are a lot of fees that come with a home purchase above and beyond the mortgage. Insurance, repairs, association fees, property taxes – you should have the income and the budget to handle all of these things if they are relevant to your purchase. Real Estate agents talk all the time about additional expenses to consider when buying a home. The article covers seven costs buyers often forget about. You should also have some savings to cover emergencies with the home.

5. Know what you want.

Do you want a home or a condo? For many first time home buyers, this is one of the first dilemmas they will try to solve. In fact, many buyers will look at both because they can’t make up their mind. To make sound decisions, you should know the pros and cons of a condo vs. a house. More buyers will end up disappointed when picking a condo because they did not understand the ramifications of how restrictive they can be or how quickly fees can change. The appeal, of course, is usually for those buyers who do not have time for home maintenance.

After the excitement of buying the home passes, you will have to live in it for years. Make sure you are shopping for a home that will meet your needs and your lifestyle. More space is not always better. Lawns require upkeep. Being close to the things you like may wind up being more important than you realize. Understand you are not just buying a home but a location as well. One of the key considerations that many buyers miss when purchasing a home is knowing how to pick a neighborhood they will love. Often first time buyers focus too much on the house and not enough on the neighborhood.

6. Work with a skilled Realtor that knows your area.

Every neighborhood has its unique qualities that you want to be aware of before you buy. An agent that is well-informed about the area will also know what homes there are worth, which will help you avoid overpaying for a property. Here is an example of my real estate agents Ashland MAcommunity guide. It should be pretty clear from those who are reading that I understand what Ashland has to offer from both a housing and community perspective. You want a real estate agent who knows their stuff locally!

Make sure you interview several different buyers real estate agents. Choose someone that is full time working in the business every day and has a recent history of successful sales. The better the real estate agent knows the area, the better equipped they will be in understanding the differences in market value from one property to the next.

7. Understand the actual value of any property you are buying.

Working with a real estate agent that understands market values in your area is critical if you want to avoid overpaying for your house. In addition to the actual purchase price, there are other fees like appraisal and inspections that can cost you more when you don’t understand the value of the home. Sellers and banks may not be flexible should you ask about adjusting the price later, either.

8. Buy what you are comfortable paying for.

You may be cleared for a loan that is far above what you are comfortable paying for. Lean on the side of caution and mortgage only as much money as you are comfortable with. There are a lot of home buyers who will mortgage themselves to the hilt only to find out later they are a slave to their home. Unless you want to be eating spaghetti dinners at home, every weekend don’t stretch beyond your means.

9. Verify all information in the listing.

You need to verify that all the information given about the home is right. Sometimes real estate agents put things in the listing that they may not have verified or may just not be aware of the facts. Some of the more common issues that can crop up in a real estate transaction are understanding what stays with a home and what doesn’t. Many buyers, sellers, and even some real estate agents do not know what is considered a fixture and what is personal property.

10. Try to see yourself in the home.

Sometimes when you view a home, it will be filled to the brim with the current owner’s things. Learning to see past the clutter to the potential of the home for you may allow you to find better deals than you would otherwise. This is why real estate agents often recommend to seller clients to clear all the clutter before listing their home for sale. Cluttered homes can sell for less money when those with a lack of vision can’t see past it.

11. Use a reputable home inspector.

Find a home inspector that is a part of the American Society of Home Inspectors, or someone your real estate agent knows and trusts. You want someone who knows what he or she is doing and is not motivated to miss issues to encourage a sale. It is also advisable to find your inspector if you do not know your real estate agent well. The last thing you need is a real estate agent recommending you use their favorite inspector because he is not that thorough. While most real estate agents are honest people, there are always a few bad apples in any industry you need to be on the lookout for.

12. Make sure all renovations are up to code.

If a renovation was done without a permit, it might not have been done right. No permit means that the work was not reviewed by an inspector, something you do not want in your new home. You might be wondering why a seller would bother not getting a permit for work done on their home. There are usually three reasons for this:

• By obtaining a permit for an addition, you will pay more money in taxes because your assessed value will go up with a larger home.

• It costs money to get permits. When you put on an addition, you are typically paying for permits for electrical, plumbing, and the general building inspector. Many owners just don’t want to bother paying the fees.

• Pure laziness. This is such a sad excuse, but that is what happens with some people who don’t want to take the time out of their day getting permits for work.

Buying a home without necessary building permits will become your issue in the future when you go to sell. It is advisable that you ask the seller to get the permits taken care of before you buy the home.

13. Be sure you understand any HOA that you will be part of.

Some homes are part of a homeowner association. All condominiums also have HOAs. These organizations are mandatory if you live in the area, so you will have to pay dues and rely on the association to take care of certain things, like maintenance of common areas. Some homeowners associations are great, some are not. Know what you are getting yourself into before purchasing in a neighborhood with an HOA. One of the best ways to find out is by asking a few of the people who already live there.

14. Look for any water-related problems.

A home in good condition will keep water where it belongs. Exterior moisture should not be making its way inside. Water flowing through the pipes should be staying in those pipes. Any precipitation that falls on and around the property should be directed towards safe areas, like away from your foundation. Your roof should be functioning as intended. Buying somebody’s water issues is not what you want. Water issues have a direct correlation to market value, as well as marketability.

15. Have a professional look for the presence of asbestos, mold, and radon.

• Asbestos was a major building material up until around 1977. Before you buy a home, you should be aware of the presence of asbestos, because it can drive up the cost of repairs and renovations while driving down the resale value. If you are planning on doing any repair work yourself, it is especially important that you know of asbestos and takes proper precautions if it is present.

• Mold is one of the scariest issues with home buyers today and with good reason as it can cause health problems. If you have any respiratory problems, the presence of mold in a home can make them far worse. Mold is something that can be fixed when buying a homejust know what you are getting yourself into. Any mold remediation that is necessary should be taken care of by the seller.

• Radon is an invisible, odorless gas that can be found both in the air and the water. Getting rid of mold in the air is easy and rather inexpensive. Removing radon from water, on the other hand, is much more expensive. On average, the cost to remove radon from the air is around $1000-1300 depending on where you live. Removing radon from water is more like $4000-$7000.

16. Make sure the electrical system is up to par.

Current building codes require modern electrical wiring. Most homes built before the 1930s are not up to standard unless they have been renovated. These old homes use knob and tube wiring, which can be expensive to bring up to code. Keep in mind that many lenders and insurance companies will not work with a buyer if the home has knob and tube wiring due to the hazards it creates.

17. Know your plan for furniture.

If you have furniture you like, you will want to bring it with you. Make sure your new home can accommodate it. Or, if you plan on buying new furniture, you want purchase a home at a price that leaves you with enough left over to furnish it. This relates back to item #8 – understand there will be additional expenses with owning a home.

18. Don’t stress the wall colors and carpet condition.

Many buyers don’t have a vision when looking at homes. As crazy as it sounds there are customers who will turn down a home that meets all the criteria they are looking for because they can’t see past the ugly mauve carpeting and the purple and green wall colors.

This is a mistake I see quite a bit. One of the easiest things to change about a home is the color of the walls. Paint is inexpensive and can be applied by you after you buy. The same holds true for carpets. While it is always smart for a seller to spend the money to neutralize a home before it goes on the market that doesn’t mean you should pass on it!

19. Don’t do anything to affect your financial situation.

Your pre-approval is based on the information given at the time of your application. Any changes, like getting a different job or taking out a car loan, can result in denial of the loan request when you go to purchase a house.

While I like to educate all of my buyers on making large purchases while buying a home there are many who do not. Making a large purchase is not a prudent thing to do when buying a home. This is one of the primary reasons buyers can be denied a mortgage after being pre-approved. This is not a pleasant experience!

20. Know the potential growth of your investment.

Buying a fixer-upper in an area that is growing more popular offers the possibility of an increase in the value of your home. In contrast, buying the nicest house in the area may not have much of an upside.

Consult with your real estate agent and ask them their opinion on the prospects for profit if the general area continues to rise in value. Will the home lag the market or be a stalwart? If the return on investment is necessary, this is surely something you should find out.

As you can see, knowing what to do before buying a house is critical.

Additional Helpful Home Buying Articles

• How to buy a home from start to finish via Raleigh Realty.
• What kind of home work with what mortgages via Luke Skar at Behance.
• 10 big mistakes home buyers make via Xavier De Buck.
• How to purchase your first house via Great Colorado Homes.

Use these additional resources to make sound decisions when buying a home. I hope these 20 things to do before the purchase of a house have been helpful in understanding purchasing your first home!

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About the Author: The above Real Estate information on the 20 things to do before buying a house was provided by Bill Gassett, a Nationally recognized leader in his field. Bill can be reached via email at billgassett@remaxexec.com or by phone at 508-625-0191. Bill has helped people move in and out of many Metrowest towns for the last 29+ Years.

Thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for Real Estate and love to share my marketing expertise!

I service Real Estate sales in the following Metrowest MA towns: Ashland, Bellingham, Douglas, Framingham, Franklin, Grafton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Northborough, Northbridge, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Sutton, Wayland, Westborough, Whitinsville, Worcester, Upton and Uxbridge MA.

The Most Epic Moving Checklist in the History of Moving

Let’s face it, moving is stressful. That’s why we’ve created an epic moving checklist to help you stay on track. We’re here to help you figure out exactly what you should be doing before, during, and even after your move. Moving all your belongings from one place to another is hard, and so is relocating your life in general. But, let’s not forget that moving to a new place is an exciting time! With some guidance and this 8-week guide to your upcoming move, you’ll be sure to have everything done between now and the big day, leaving you plenty of time to celebrate.

8 weeks before you move:

So, you’re 8 weeks out! Close, but not too close. It’s important for you to start planning ahead for every aspect of your move. The good news? We’ve got you covered. We’re not going to lie, there’s a lot to do to prepare. Yet, you’ll be thankful you started early and had this epic moving checklist to ensure you stay on top of your to-do list.

1. Create a “moving” file or folder on Google Drive to store quotes, receipts, and records related to your move. For example, how much is Dan the mover quoting you? Was that price for 10 or 15 boxes? You’re not going to be able to remember all of the details. So throw them in a document for easy reference.

2. Schedule in-home estimates with an Updater Certified Moving Company. Make sure you hire someone you feel you can trust by clicking the button below. 

FIND A MOVING COMPANY

3. Create a realistic budget for moving expenses. We know you want to hire professional movers, but that new sectional and that wine fridge, but priorities, right? 

4. Read over documents from your movers before signing anything. Don’t let contracts intimidate you by learning about the documents you’ll be receiving ahead of time. We can’t emphasize enough how important this is, there’s a reason it’s #4 on our list.

5. Request time off work for moving day. If you can, plan to take off and move on a Friday. That gives you the rest of the weekend to get yourself organized. Nice tip, right?

6. Choose a school for your kids. Need a little help in the research department? Great Schools can help you choose the best school in your area.  

7. Along the same vein, request transcripts for your kids from their old school for their new school. Regardless of how far you are moving, the new school your child attends will need these. Arrive prepared so your kid(s) don’t get left behind.

8.  Plan a garage sale. Then, donate anything left that you couldn’t sell.

9. Plan how to move fragile or unusual items, such as guns, pianos, fine art, pool tables or safes. The list goes on and on. The movers you hire may not be qualified to move some larger (or more expensive) items, so you may need to hire a specialty mover to do the job. Make sure you’re aware of exactly what the movers you hired will and will not move.

10. Confirm that your moving company is licensed and insured by verifying their Department of Transportation number (also referred to as a DOT number).

6 weeks before you move:

When you’re six weeks out from a move, it’s important to make sure you’re getting all your ducks in a row. If you’re moving out of town, you’ll need to do things like spend time with family and friends. Then of course, you need to begin to organize your belonging (and life in general). There are dozens of tasks that must be addressed in this time, so keep reading our epic moving checklist to discover all you need to do. Don’t worry, six weeks is plenty of time to get it all done.

11. Make time for friends and relatives before moving day. Squeeze in a few last memories is your current home by throwing a simple dinner party. It doesn’t have to be elaborate to do the trick.

12. Collect free boxes from restaurants liquor, grocery, and office supply stores. You can also pay a visit to your local bookstore. They have more boxes than they know what to do with and will be more than happy to hand them over for free.

13. Research packing hacks to make moving day easier.

14. Label your moving boxes using different colored stickers/tape for each room. This will make your life a ton easier when you’re all moved in and ready to start unpacking.

15. Create an inventory sheet of all your valuables before they go on the moving truck. Also, keep a private list of which boxes you packed your valuables in.

16. Mark moving boxes that are fragile. You don’t want textbooks stacked on top of your grandmother’s china.  

17. Take photos of all electronics before unplugging them. This will help jog your memory when you’re reconnecting things such as your TV and stereo.  

18. Put all your hardware in labeled baggies for easy furniture reassembly.

19. Gather socks, t-shirts, towels, and linens to use as free packing supplies. Wrapping water glasses in dish towels? Why didn’t we think of that!

20. If you’re moving into an apartment, find out if there are any moving day requirements.

21. Address minor home repairs before moving out. If you live in an apartment, this might be the difference between getting your security deposit back, or not.

22. If you’re moving cross country, have your vehicles serviced. The last thing you want is to deal with a breakdown mid-move!

23. If your move requires shipping your car, don’t leave anything in it! Spare tires and jacks might go missing.

24. Measure doorways, stairways, and elevators to make sure all your furniture will fit. Measure twice – move once!

25. Research your new community for points of interest. Find your new favorite hangout spot or restaurant! Yelp and Foursquare are great places to start.

26. Last but not least for this section, pack a little every day. You don’t want to find yourself packing all of your belongings the night before.

4 weeks before you move:

Four weeks out – you’ve officially hit the one-month mark! Now’s the time to start gathering important documents that you’ll need to bring with you to your new place. You should also start doing things like selling and donating items. It will be a lot easier to complete items on your moving checklist when you’re not bogged down in possession that you neither want nor need.

27. Purchase moving insurance to cover all your belongings during the move.

28. Confirm parking options for your moving truck – you may need a permit for moving day.

29. Use or donate items that you can’t pack or sell, such as frozen foods, bleach, and aerosol cans.

30. Gather all financial and legal records in one place.

31. Gather birth certificates and passports for everyone in your home. Then, carry important documents on your person during your move.

32. Find a landscaper and snow removal service in your new neighborhood.

33. Return your library books.

34. Return movie and video game rentals.

35. Pick up clothes from the dry cleaner.

36. Compile medical, dental, and optical records for everyone in your home.

37. If you’re moving out of town, find a new doctor, dentist, and vet in your new neighborhood.

38. Update your voter registration!

39. If you’re moving long distance, plan your route and book hotels.

40. Shop around for cable, internet, and phone bundles. Then, schedule installation and/or cancel your old services.

41. Make sure your pets have ID tags for their collars.

42. Request copies of vet records and get any necessary pet medication.

43. If you’re moving out of the country, make sure your pets have all necessary vaccinations.

44. Make a moving day playlist to enjoy while moving and unpacking.

2 weeks before you move:

The big day is almost here! You’re two weeks away from moving and it’s time to update your accounts and records for your new place and address. You also want to take these two weeks before your move to plan ahead packing, meals, medication, pets, and children. Moving day is a BUSY one. Make sure to have everything on your moving list checked off for this two-week point. Trust us, you’ll be glad you did!

45. Create a moving file to organize your moving-related receipts and bills. You’ll want to keep a list of moving-related expenses to claim as a deduction at tax time.

46. Recycle or dispose of corrosives, flammables, and poisonous items. Make sure you’re disposing of toxic items properly.  

47. Prep two-weeks worth of meals and use everything in the freezer. Check out some great meal prep ideas!

48. Return borrowed items from friends and family.

49. Back up your computer. If something goes awry during your move, you’ll be thankful you have everything saved in an alternate place.

50. Set up trash removal and recycling for your new home, and cancel your current service.

51. Remove light bulbs from all lamps you plan to move.

52. Moving far? Clean out your safe deposit box and any lockers you might have at a gym or community center.

53. Fill your prescriptions.

54. Prepare a list of emergency service technicians and preferred providers. You don’t want to be googling plumbers while your toilet is overflowing in your new home.

55. To keep little ones safe during a move, line up a babysitter or make arrangements for a play date.

56. Find somewhere safe for pets to go during your move. Look into doggy daycare or ask a friend to watch them for a day – who wouldn’t love to dog sit Fido, Fluffy or Muffin?

57.  Use Google Maps to find your way to work by car or public transportation.

58. Send out moving announcement. There are plenty of creative ways to share your new address.

59. Change your address with loan providers, credit cards, banks, and the payroll department at work. Also, remember to order new checks.

60. Forward your mail.

61. Change address for Social Security benefits within 10 days of moving. Make sure to notify government offices, including the Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, and the IRS.

62. Transfer your homeowners or renters insurance to your new home. Here’s what happens to your homeowners insurance policy when you move.

63. Cancel or transfer your membership at the gym, yoga studio, Crossfit facility, etc.

64. Update your address for newspaper and magazine subscriptions.

65. Transfer your utilities including water, electric, and natural gas.

66. Update your driver’s license.

67. Update your address with Amazon and any monthly subscriptions boxes you receive.

68. Change your address for your auto insurance and car registration.

69. Clean outdoor furniture before it's moved.

70. Transfer your prescriptions to a new pharmacy, if necessary.

The week you move:

The week has come! It’s time to make sure you organize your belongings, finish packing, and clean your old home. Make sure everything’s squared away early. It’ll allow for a stress-free moving day – and who wouldn’t want that?

71. Donate unopened food by asking your moving company if they work with Move For Hunger.

72. Make sure you canceled and/or redirected scheduled deliveries. Remember that pair of shoes that was on backorder? Make sure they get shipped to correct address.

73. Clean your current home for the next resident.

74. Unplug your fridge and freezer to defrost the night before. Make sure you lay a towel in front of it to absorb any water that leaks.

75. Drain water hoses to your washing machine and ice maker.

76. Empty oil and gas from grills, heaters, lawn mowers, and snow blowers.

77. Leave a note or small gift for new residents.

78. Make sure nothing is hiding on shelves or in closet corners.

79. Before conducting a final walk through with your landlord, fill nail holes with a bar of soap. Check out some DIY tips here.

80. Watch the weather channel and prepare for rain or snow.

81. Pack an essentials box with everything you’ll need for your first 24 hours in your new home.

82. Make a worst-case scenario plan in case your movers run late.

83. Take photographs of your empty place to prove it’s in move-out condition.

84. Withdraw cash to tip your movers.

85. Clean your new place. A lot of times, the previous homeowners are only required to sweep their house or apartment. Don’t you want your new place to be in tip-top shape and sparkling from head to toe?

Moving day:

Moving day is here! All your moving prep has led you to this very moment. You’ve checked off almost 100 items on this moving checklist to get you to this point. On the day of your move, make sure you get an early start. Start the day off right and get moving. The earlier you move in, the more time you will have to start unpacking and settling into your new home.

86. Rise and shine! Set an alarm and get up early on moving day.

87. Protect your floors and carpets during the move.

88. They’ve worked hard for you all day, so tip your movers.

89. As soon as your movers leave, make your bed and unpack your shower curtain and toiletries. This makes a nap and a shower so much easier. And let’s face it, it’s the first thing you’ll want to do post move.

90. Get to know your neighbors!

91. Go grocery shopping. At this point, you’ve eaten enough take out. Having food in the house will also prevent you from unnecessary spending.

92. Don’t have curtains or shades yet? Cover your windows with sheets for privacy for your first night. This will help you sleep more comfortably, trust us.

93. Thank your real estate agent or broker. They’re the reason why you’ve moved into your beautiful new home. A simple thank you note goes a long way.

One week, post move:

You’re moved in! You’ve checked off almost everything on your moving checklist, but you’re not done yet. Now is the time to start making your new place yours. Unpack, decorate, and have fun personalizing your new home.

94. Leave a detailed review of your experience with your moving company.

95. Post leftover moving boxes or unwanted furniture on Craigslist. Or, give them to someone you know is moving.

96. Clean the carpets in your new home.

97. Sweep your chimney before you use it.

98. Make sure your home’s address is visible from the street.

99.  Install a new home security system.

100. Explore your new neighborhood – local shops, supermarkets, libraries, cafés, grocery stores, and restaurants.

101. Send thank you notes to friends and family who helped you move.

Two weeks, post move:

Finally, you’ve made it to the last two checkpoints on this epic moving checklist! Make sure you’ve completely settled in. Now that you’re comfortable, take a night off and call a babysitter!

102. Aim to unpack all your stuff within two weeks of moving in.

103. Last, but not least, make copies of your new keys for the babysitter, nanny, and dog walker.

 Phew! We're out of breath. But congrats, you survived!

We hope that our moving checklist has been the list to end all checklists. Was it helpful? Let us know. And as always, we love feedback. If we missed anything, let us know in the comments section below. Happy moving!