tips | Amigo Insurance

Moving is no walk in the park. After getting over the excitement of buying your dream house or getting that great apartment, the stress of moving is (somewhat) inevitable. Fortunately, recognizing common moving mistakes can help you prepare for the worst and make moving day a breeze. From giving yourself enough time to labeling your boxes properly, here are a few things to avoid when planning to move.

1) Procrastination

When you have a lot of things to do, it’s often easier to just set them aside and get to them later. However, when it comes to moving, procrastination is something you’ll just have to conquer. Leaving things until the last minute can result in forgetting important items, and adding to the overall stress of the move.

A good way to conquer this is by creating a checklist. This way, you’ll be able to plan ahead and finish those time-sensitive tasks without feeling overwhelmed or forgetting anything. By figuring out which tasks need to get done first, you won’t feel like you’re drowning in responsibilities. Plus, it’ll make your whole moving journey a whole lot smoother when you’re not rushing to get everything done.

2) Not getting rid of old things

It’s very likely that when you move, you don’t want to bring everything from your old place. Moving to a new house or apartment means starting fresh. So why would you want to bring all those old, broken down books or clothes that just don’t fit anymore? Packing up all your current things and taking them to a new home leads to clutter, and takes up space. Space that could be used for things you actually need.

Before packing all your things into boxes, it’s a good idea to go through all of the things you planned on taking and deciding what you’ll need and what can be donated. If you’re someone who finds it difficult to part from old items, remember that by donating, you’ll not only be creating new space but helping someone who actually needs it.

3) Not researching moving companies

Unless you have a good friend with a truck willing to spend the day helping out, you’ll probably have to use some sort of moving company. And while this is not uncommon, a mistake many make is going with the very first option they find on Google and calling it a day. Without the proper research, you could miss out on saving money and end up with a whole new headache. Without the proper research and comparison, you could risk going with a company that has bad service or reputation.

A good rule of thumb is to research at least three different moving companies. Compare rates, services, and reviews. This way you’ll have options to choose from and see what the best possible decision is.

4) Not labeling boxes

When you’re finally settled into your new place, the last thing you want to be worrying about is which box you left your favorite shippers or toothbrush in. When packing, it’s certainly easier to just toss everything in a box and go. However, in doing so, you end up adding to your stress later on.

A good way to keep order is to pack everything by category and label accordingly. It would also be helpful to label your boxes prior to packing anything in them. This way, you know where each item will go and make the process go a lot quicker.

BONUS: Packing a box of essential items for your first couple of nights can be a real lifesaver.

5) Not forward mail in time

Probably one of the more tedious acts that come with moving is the process of forwarding mail to your new address. It can be time-consuming and, let’s face it, a little bit boring. But, no matter how much we’d like to avoid this process, it’s something that must be done. Unfortunately, many wait too long to do so.

In order to avoid any inconvenience, it’s suggested to begin the process of forwarding your mail at least a couple of weeks prior to moving. Be sure to look over your change of address forms and consider how long it will take.

Moving can certainly be a fun process when you’ve planned accordingly and given yourself plenty of time. And while stress is not 100% avoidable, knowing what mistakes to avoid can help make moving into your new home a whole lot easier.

Buying a house is an exciting feat that many people dream of accomplishing at some point in their life. At the same time, it’s probably the largest investment you’ll make.

So, before diving into the world of homeownership here’s a list of steps you should take:

1) Make Your Credit Score Nice and Strong

It’s simple. The lower your credit score is, the higher your monthly payments will be and vice versa. If your credit score is in the low600s or less, you’ll likely pay larger fees and a higher down payment. On the other side, having a 700 or above will result in the best rates on the market.

2) Get Pre-Approved

Pre-approval ensures that you’ll be able to get a loan so long as your financial situation stays the same (this includes your credit score!) This also helps sellers feel more comfortable selling. It’s better for them to see that you won’t get turned down for a loan further down the line.

3) Understand the Expenses

Above your mortgage, there are plenty of other fees that go along with buying a home. Anything from property taxes, association fees, insurance, and repairs. Be sure that you have the income and budget to cover these things.

4) Know what you want.

With all the excitement of finally getting your own place, it’s easy to forget the many options available. Do you want a house? Front porch and all? Or would you rather get a condo that doesn’t require much maintenance? It’s important to understand your options and what comes along with them. After all, this is a place that you’ll live in for a long time. Make sure that it comfortable meets your lifestyle.

5) Work with realtors familiar with the area, not just the house

Working with a realtor whose familiar with the neighborhood can be very insightful. You won’t only learn about the house itself, but the overall area. You’ll hear of any areas to avoid as well as any additional neighborhood characteristics that you probably want to know before buying. A neighborhood can make or break a deal.

6) Buy what you’re comfortable spending on

You may be approved for a loan far beyond what you expected. Try to be cautious and only use the amount of money you’re comfortable paying. Using the total amount of your approved loan could result in you spreading yourself thin and becoming a slave to your new home.

7) Envision yourself in the home

If the home is still riddled with the previous owner’s things, it can be a little difficult to envision your own life there. Still, try your best to visualize your life in this space. It’s better to think of this now than buy a home and realize it doesn’t fit your needs or lifestyle.

8) Get a Reputable Home Inspector

Be sure to find an inspector whose part of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) If for any reason this is not an option, try someone recommended by your real estate agent. Be sure this person knows what they’re doing and will not purposely miss any important issues to persuade a purchase.

9) Ensure that Any and All Renovations are Up to Code

Check and see if any and all renovations are done were done with a permit. If they weren’t, this could mean the work was not done right. It also means that they were not reviewed by an inspector and could be potentially harmful. It is advised that you ask your seller to get the permits taken care of prior to any purchase. This will save you a big headache should you want to sell yourself.

10) Look for Harmful Problems

If the home is in good shape, it shouldn’t have any of these problems. However, if any of these are found, contact the seller and get it professionally conditioned.

Water – Check for any water or precipitation that falls around the property in areas where it shouldn’t. Your roof and pipes should not be leaking.

Asbestos, Mold, and Radon – Asbestos is a mineral fiber that, if not properly conditioned, can result in lung cancer. If you smoke, the chances of getting lung cancer if inhaling asbestos fibers can increase greatly. Mold is another issue that can cause health problems. Even more so if you already suffer from respiratory problems. Any necessary mold remediation should be taken care of by the seller. Radon is an odorless gas that can be found in both the air and water. While getting rid of mold may be easy and inexpensive, removing radon from water can really put a dent in your pocket costing upwards of $4,000.

11) Make Sure the Electric System is up to Standard

If the home you’re looking at was built before the 1930s, you’ll likely have to schedule some work. Current safety codes require modern electric wiring. Many lenders and insurance companies may not work with a buyer if the home has any electrical safety hazards.

12) Don’t Make Any Changes to your Financial Situation

Remember that pre-approval back in step one? That pre-approval is based on your then financial and credit score status. It is the reason you got accepted in the first place. Naturally, any changes that greatly affect your finances can result in a denial of the request. This is especially hard when you already go through the house hunting process and find a house you really love.

Buying a home is an exciting and fulfilling milestone in a person’s life. But, as you can see, it also requires a lot of time and research. All, of course, worth it once the process is over and you’re ready to move into your new home.

Keeping your home and family safe after the move-in, however, is a whole other story. At Amigo Insurance, we offer great rates on homeowner’s insurance. Let help keep your new home, and family, safe.

Signed,
Amigo Insurance

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