Moving Tips

Self Storage Simplifies Your Move

Self Storage Simplifies Your Move

 When you’re moving, it can be hard to think outside the boxes – where to get them, what to put in them and where to store them. It adds up to extra stress in an already stressful time, which could explain why storage locker rentals are on the rise.

“Self storage is about simplifying and de-stressing in a period of transition,” said Celeste Blackmore, who handles national promotion and sponsorship for Sentinel Storage. “It’s a great way to prepare for listing a home by decluttering and staging the residence. When you’re ready to move, it’s so much easier, as all those boxes are already packed and ready to move to your next home.”

While a move can seem overwhelming, companies like Sentinel Storage ease the strain with a full-service approach. In addition to storage rental, they sell boxes and moving supplies, provide free move-in vans (based on availability) and offer advice to guide you through the process from start to finish.

“Putting things in storage lets your REALTOR® stage the home more effectively, which gets you a better sale price in the end,” said Blackmore. “If you have a delayed closing at your new home and need temporary housing, it becomes less of a chore when many of your belongings are safely stored away.”

Should your new home require some improvements, self storage again comes in handy, as contractors can move freely and complete your project quickly, while keeping your belongings away from the construction dust and movement.

“PEOPLE ARE REALLY SEEKING FOUR THINGS WHEN IT COMES TO SELF STORAGE: CONVENIENCE, SAFETY, SECURITY AND SIMPLICITY.” – CELESTE BLACKMORE, SENTINEL STORAGE

Unsurprisingly, the items stored vary as much as the people who store them. Some are personal items, such as skis, bikes or family heirlooms. Sales reps store products and samples, while tradespeople often store their equipment and supplies.

To make the most of your storage experience, Blackmore advises making use of the whole space. Customers are often surprised how much will fit when they stack their boxes from floor to ceiling. Items with common-sized boxes maximize the volume of the storage space as well.

“Our staff is well trained to guide you and work through those checklists,” she said. “Prior to moving, you might forget to cover your mattress to protect it, but we are here to remind you and conveniently offer these moving supplies for sale.”

As the need for this type of guidance grows, so does the self-storage industry. Sentinel Storage, for example, now has 15 Calgary and area locations and almost 200 nationwide.

“People are really seeking four things when it comes to self storage: convenience, safety, security and simplicity,” said Blackmore. “They want to know that their treasured belongings and possessions are safely stored, and that some of that moving anxiety will be relieved. Self storage can offer all of that and more.”

credit – Creb Now published by Geoff Geddes April 12/2019

Are You Packing Up a House Long-term?

Are You Packing Up a House Long-term?

Many people need to pack up boxes and boxes of their belongings when getting ready for a big move. The more that you can pack up items that you don’t use on a daily basis – the easier the packing can be. Items such as winter clothing in the summer, hockey equipment in the summer, summer clothing during the winter, etc. Then when you have piles of boxes, then where do you put them all? If you are out of room with all your boxes, then we may have a solution for you!

Our clients could potentially receive 25% off the 1st month and 2nd month free at Maple Leaf Storage.

We also have contacts with Big Steel Box which can also yield discounts on different size boxes as well with storage and delivery.

If you are in need of a storage solution – call us today to discuss how we could be of assistance to you!

Moving Checklist – What to Do And Where to Start

Portrait of couple and workers unloading truck

Moving Checklist
Moving Date:
New Address:
Moving Company:
Moving Company contact info:
Realtor Contact Information:
Building / Property Manager:

While Packing:
 Clearly label each box for each room – color coding also is helpful for quick reference (use a colored piece of paper to label boxes with – this also helps if you plan to recycle boxes)
 Find out if your moving company supplies reusable boxes at no cost for your move
 Prior to packing the moving truck – send any unwanted items to Donation Centers

Prior to the Move, Plan your Utlitities and Other Basics (cancel current providers or set up new ones):
 Electricity:
 Gas:
 Water:
 TV/Cable/Satellite:
 Wifi Provider:
 Landline Phone (if applicable):

Work out Your Wish List for Your New Home:
 Toaster
 Coffee Maker
 Kettle
 Microwave
 Blender
 _______________________
 _______________________
 _______________________
 _______________________
 _______________________

Before you Unpack:
 Make a floor plan for your furniture
 Check your new home one last time for faults or damages and record them
 Deep clean your home

The Unpacking Stage:
 Make clear pathways for your ability to move around the home with ease while carrying boxes
 Utilize your pre thought out floor plan to place your furniture – ie bed, dresser , couch
 Start unpacking your bedroom(s)
 Move onto unpacking your bathroom(s)
 Arrange your kitchen and unpack your food & appliances
 Arrange your living room
 Arrange your laundry room (if applicable)
 Unpack any other rooms of the house

Stocking Up Your Fridge & Pantry:
 Cooking oil
 Salt/Pepper/Spices
 Coffee & / or Tea
 Condiments – ketchup/mustard/mayo/jams
 Sugar/Flour
 Pasta/Rice
 Cereals
 Cooking sauces
 ________________________
 ________________________
 _______________________
 _______________________

Decoration Wish List:
 Curtains / Blinds
 Throw Pillows
 Lamps
 Area Rugs
 Bathroom Accessories
 Plants
 _______________________
 _______________________
 _______________________
 _______________________
 _______________________

Outside spaces, tools, gardening:
 Lawnmower / Weed Wacker
 Shovel
 Broom
 Rake
 Screwdrivers
 Hammer
 Stepladder
 Patio Furniture
 Tool Shed
 Storage Box for outdoor toys / cushions for furniture etc.
 ______________________
 ______________________
 ______________________
 ______________________
 ______________________
 ______________________

Security:
 Door Locks – change them?
 Garage Door Opener – Change code?
 Garage Door Keypad – Change code?
 Home Alarm System – set up?
 Fire Alarm
 CO2 Alarm
 Radon Detector (in older properties – new ones come equipped)
 ________________________
 ________________________
 ________________________
 ________________________
 ________________________

When It’s Time to Say Goodbye to Your Calgary House

 

 

When It’s Time to Say Goodbye to Your Calgary House

Whether you are downsizing, up-sizing or in-between sizing, it’s never easy to say goodbye to your house once you have become emotionally attached to it. Even when you are progressing towards something much better, you are leaving behind a part of your life and it can be quite an emotional time saying goodbye to the property.

It can be especially difficult for seniors that have raised a family in their home to leave it behind and continue on to something new. Although it’s a fact of life that changes happen, this can be an overwhelming one to face.

One of the reasons why it’s so difficult is the sheer magnitude of the building itself. It’s not like saying goodbye to a small object – a house is probably the biggest investment that was ever made in a lifetime and the largest asset ever owned.

When it’s time to leave the house the occupants can have a lot of mixed feelings. It’s okay to feel bad about leaving the home even when you’re moving on to something better. Sometimes it just takes time to get used to the idea and to be able to move forward.

The best thing you can do is to just stay active and keep moving in a positive direction. If you’re like most people, there is an endless to-do list that you’re facing and getting things done and scratched off the list will be a big help to you and your feelings. After all, if you’re feeling sad about leaving your home you won’t want to have the added burden of dealing with the overwhelm of getting behind on projects.

If you’re feeling really bad about leaving don’t be afraid to reach out to your family or friends. They can offer much-needed support to help get you through this time and may even be able to help you with some of your moving activities.

Once you have made the move it won’t take very long at all to get settled into your new place and to start feeling great again. Moving can be a mixed bag of emotions but once it’s all said and done and you are in your new home, things get settled out and it won’t take long before you start making exciting plans for your new home.

Family Keepsakes – How to keep them orderly and able to take with you when you move

 

Family Keepsakes – How to keep them orderly and able to take with you when you move

Moving from the home you have raised a family in can be emotional. By keeping some of what you made your house a home with can ease the transition into your new home – whether it’s the next city away or across the country.

So many families have charted their children’s growth on a wall of their family home. These are irreplaceable keepsakes – but what do you  do if you move? That wall surely can’t come with you when you go. It will likely get pained over when you move away, and your memories are all but left in a photo. There are several family traditions of keep sakes that families have done over the years – how do you ensure you can bring them with you if you have to move?

Growth Charts – this is a simple and easy solution to tracking your child(ren)’s growth and you can take it with you where ever you go! And when it’s time for them to move out of the house they can take it with them when they move out. If you’re handy, you can create one of these boards on a 6ft long plank of wood. You can decorate it however you would like – make multiple boards for multiple children. The ideas are posted on DIY sites as well as Pinterest. If crafty isn’t your thing, there are websites you can also order from

Digitalizing your child(ren)’s work. Admit it, you have a large box or more of your children’s school work or art work. These boxes can accumulate quickly – there are a couple of solutions to keep the boxes reduced if you need space or want to stay decluttered. There are websites that you can send your children’s box of crafts etc to – they will create a book of photos for each craft or artwork piece in that box. That way you still have your memories – but in a less cumbersome state.

Digitalize your photos – many families have boxes of printed photos that are seldom ever looked at. You can digitalize your photos and eliminate the extra boxes or photo albums that you have out on display.

If you have planted a family tree in the yard and man you Love That Tree!  Record what kind of tree that you planted for when you move. Keep this with your Mortgage Papers to not get lost. You might not be able to take the tree with you but you can certainly plant another one at the new home.

Moving and Need to Clean? Where to start and what needs to be done?

Moving and Need to Clean? Where to start and what needs to be done?

Although not everyone will do a thorough cleaning of their property when they move out, it is always beneficial to do as much as you can. You could use this list as a move out or move in cleaning list. You want to make sure that you or the person leaving thoroughly clean any property that you are moving into. Here is a guideline of what to clean to ensure your home is move in ready. Typically you would save more time if you start “up” and work your way down to the flooring.

> Clean the light fixtures / ceiling fans

> Wipe down all blinds

> Clean the windows, window tracks and ledges

> Wash walls down

> Wipe down/ sanitize the light switches and outlets

> Wash down baseboards

> Clean glass on french doors

> Vacuum inside closets and wash closet shelves

> Vacuum carpets

> Sanitize washrooms – tubs/showers/sinks/toilets

>Vacuum out the exhaust fan

> Clean the fridge

> Clean the stove & oven out

> Clean the built in microwave – put a bowl of water with some lemon juice in the microwave and turn it on high for several minutes. Let cool and wipe out with a sponge.

> Vacuum / wash out all cupboards and drawers

> Wash down counter tops

> Run a load through the dishwasher to sanitize the inside

> Wipe down all pantry shelving

> Wash the flooring – Start from the furthest point and work your way to the door

 

If your property has a yard outside:

> Cut the Grass

> Pull out any weeds

> Remove all of your belongings and that includes items  that might be stuck in the ground, hanging from the trees or on the fence.

> Sweep out any storage sheds or garages

> If your stairs are grass stained, you could scrub them to remove the stains and make your stairs look a million times better

 

Tips –

OR – You could splurge on a cleaner and forget about doing any of these tasks! If you are getting a damage deposit back – you could set aside that money to pay your cleaners.

 

If you are purchasing a brand new home – it is always a good idea to have your furnace professionally cleaned before the first winter in your home. Some builders will do this prior to your possession so you need to ask your Builder if they do.

Congratulations, you are moving!

 

Congratulations, you are moving!

While this is an exciting time, it is also a busy time that can become overwhelming if you aren’t prepared for your moving day.

Calgary Real Estate agents have many homes for sale and therefore have experience with the pitfalls of moving, so do not hesitate to ask for their advice. The following tips can provide you with information to ensure things go as smoothly as possible.

Don’t leave things until the last minute.
In most cases Calgary home buyers have at least a month to move out of their current residence and into a new home. Sometimes home buyers will put things off until they suddenly find themselves running out of time. This can cause panic to set in and the potential for things to go awry.

Have a moving plan
Decide whether your household belongings can be handled by a few friends with trucks, or whether it is better to use a professional moving company. Either way, you need to provide as much notice as possible. Choose a reputable company to avoid large amounts of breakages, failing to turn up on the allotted day and the like. The distance to be travelled and / or your budget may dictate your choice.

Don’t surprise your movers
Antiques and other valuable items require particular attention to packaging to ensure absolutely no harm come to them during the move. Pianos need special care and not just any mover can transfer one from you old home to your new without incident. Choose a mover with proven experience with large, expensive items.

Get rid of the junk
Now is the perfect time to have a garage sale, recycle, donate to charity and shred all those old papers that are no longer of value. Remember: the more you get rid of, the less you have to move. Tackle this task very early on.

Make sure your packers are on the same page
Whether packing alone, or with help of friends, ensure you have a plan. Tackle one room at a time, take an inventory of each box, mark the box with the room it came from and a number that matches the inventory sheet. If using a moving company to do the packing ensure they have a system that will ensure your belongings are packed to your requirements.

Think ‘green’
Where possible use reusable containers. Pack your breakables with towels and bedding. Suitcases make good moving containers too. Some Calgary moving companies offer plastic bins and will drop them off early and then pick them up again after your move. If not, check out your local hardware store to purchase them. You can easily sell them afterwards to someone else preparing to move.

Know your condo rules
If you are moving to a condo you may find that there are rules about moving, such as no move-ins on a Sunday. If you need a service elevator you may be required to book in advance with a security deposit (anywhere from $100 to $500), which is quite common in Calgary.

Be ready for the movers
Moving day can be long and tiring. Unnecessary delays only make things worse, so make sure all your belongings are ready when movers arrive. If able, move all the boxes into one room and only leave large furniture items for the moving team to lift. Last minute items such as personal grooming gear can be thrown into an overnight bag and put in your car

Protect valuables
Precious valuables such as jewelry should not be left to the movers to take if you have any concerns about safety. Take them with you. Computers should be backed up thoroughly onto a separate source such as a thumb drive or disc.

Avoid using trash bags
Too often belongings packed in trash bags end up in the garbage. To avoid this happening don’t use anything that could be mistaken for a trash bag.

Make arrangements for your new home
If you have ordered new furniture, delay delivery to ensure you are prepared to receive them at your new home. Don’t have them arrive the same day as you move in.

Where possible, arrange to have services hooked up before you arrive. Gas, water, electricity, phone, cable and internet will all require transfer into your name. Prepare ahead of time.

Get to know your new neighbors. They can be an invaluable source of information relevant to your new area. Letting your immediate neighbors know what day you are moving in will prepare them for any inconvenience your moving vehicles may cause them.

Avoid pet trauma
Find someone to ‘mind’ your pets on moving day. Have the sitter take your pets the night before so they don’t get traumatized by moving activity.

Appreciate your moving team
Having food and drinks available for your movers will be very much appreciated. At the very least, ensure there is a constant supply of water, as moving can be hot and thirsty work. Make sure you hand out the cold beer at the end to avoid damages. 🙂

Keep cleaning supplies aside
After everything is moved out you will then have the unenviable task of cleaning. Make sure you have a good supply of cleaning products, a wet mop and a vacuum cleaner. A supply of toilet paper and light bulbs will be needed also. Replace bulbs where necessary. Leave a brand new roll of toilet paper in each bathroom.

Clean as you go
Where possible, clean each room as it is emptied. Clean as much as you can prior to moving day so a quick run over carpets with the vacuum cleaner, mop floors and dust / wipe surfaces will take you a short time. Make sure all trash is taken out.

Guidelines to truck sizes:
A standard one bedroom apartment will require a 16′ cube truck
A standard two or three bedroom house will require a 24′ to 26′ cube truck
NB: Most household belongings can be moved in one or two trips of a 24′ cube truck. If you have more, advise your moving company so they can prepare accordingly.

Hopefully you have found these tips helpful, and your moving day will go as planned. Enjoy your new home!

Moving Tips for Calgary Real Estate!

Moving Tips for Calgary Real Estate!

Moving can be a hectic anywhere but check out these tips for easy moves from one Calgary home to another!

We’ve been thinking about the rise in Calgary’s real estate sales this week – which ultimately means more moves – and we’ve focused on how overwhelming moving in the city can actually be. So, we’ve put together a list of 17 tips to help you get a head start, and stay organized throughout the process, in order to enjoy your new home faster than you can say “fragile”. Enjoy!

1 Get organized early
As much as possible, try to avoid leaving anything until the last minute. Of course, we all need that last minute cup of coffee, especially in Calgary, but unless you have to pack up and leave in a hurry, chances are your Calgary real estate agent will have ensured you have at least 30 days to create an itemized plan that can help you out week by week.

2 Figure out your move strategy
First, determine how you’re going to get where you’re going. If your move is a short, easy one, perhaps you can ask a few very nice friends with a truck (or find a rental within Calgary). For larger, longer moves, pricing out moving companies is one of the first things you’ll want to do. Whether you’re moving just down the street or across the country, no one wants to be stuck at the last moment with no way to get from point A to point B on moving day.

3 Keep your movers in the loop
When you add large items (like a piano or that 16th Century, 4-post bed) to your move you need to remember that the movers (whether hired or friends) need to know what to expect when moving day comes. Your mover should be aware of any oversized items as well as access to both real estate properties so they can bring the proper equipment and give you an accurate quote for time and cost.

4 Pick the right transportation for Calgary
We all know our great city fairly spread out but if you’re moving a short distance, you may be able to get away with making more than one trip. But if you don’t have that luxury, you’ll need to make sure you have the right size of truck to cart your belongings in one go. Choosing the right size is particularly important when moving across the city,  as making several trips could be a problem, especially in rush-hour. Here is a guideline to determine the size of truck needed:

  • In general, the contents of bachelor/one-bedroom apartments will fit in a 16′ cube truck from your local rental company.
  • Two to three fully furnished bedrooms will require a 24′-26′ truck to ensure your move is completed in one load.
  • The contents of most houses can be moved in the same 24′ truck with one or two trips.

5 Seize the opportunity to purge
Moving is a great chance to organize your belongings and get rid of items you no longer use. If the time of year permits, hold a yard sale or take the time to sort and donate gently worn clothing to any of the great Goodwill locations or thrift stores in Calgary, put furniture up for sale on a site like craigslist or kijiji, recycle old magazines and catalogues and shred old personal documents.

6 Put together a packing kit & take inventory
If more than one person is packing, stay organized by establishing a system and recording what is in each box with blank inventory sheets prepared so one person can tackle each area or room. If you’re hiring a moving company these sheets will be a great record if anything goes missing. Assign each box a number and record the number on each spreadsheet.

7 Green your move
Moving day can generate a great deal of waste like cardboard, bubble wrap and newspaper. For a more earth friendly approach, try the newer moving companies in Calgary that offer the use of their plastic, top-fold bins that they drop off early and pick up after your move (they haul the bins from point A to point B as well). Also, don’t forget to use those times you need to bring with you as boxes and stuffing as well.  Consider using luggage as another box or old linens to wrap breakables. For items you’ll be storing even once you’ve moved in, opt for the reusable plastic bins you can purchase at many home renovation stores.

8 Find out your Calgary condo rules
Moving into a condo isn’t as easy as pulling up to the front door and loading your boxes onto an elevator. Make sure you review the moving policy for each building before showing up with a truck to unload. For example, some Calgary condos don’t allow move-ins on Sunday and you may need to book a service elevator for large items. Needing to book a service elevator and give a security deposit at a price that can range from $100 to $500 depending on your condo rules, isn’t that uncommon in our great city.

9 Prepare a moving day kit
Keep one box aside of “essentials” that you’ll need on moving day: cleaning supplies, light bulbs, toilet paper, garbage bags, a change of clothes, your toiletry bag, coffee gift cards, etc.

10 Be ready for your movers, whether hired or friends
Whether you have family or professional movers showing up at your door, be ready for them when they arrive. With a moving company, unless you hire packers, be ready and packed before the crew arrives. Scrambling for boxes will delay your move and increase your cost.

11 Protect your valuables and don’t mistake belongings for trash
Find a safe place to store your valuables on moving day. Insure anything that’s valuable or breakable if you’re using a moving company. And if you’re moving a computer, do a quick backup of important files just in case something happens in transit. On the other hand, try to avoid packing anything in garbage bags. These items could end up in a dumpster.

12 Delay deliveries to your new home
If you’ve made some new purchases, such as a couch or dining room suite, schedule the delivery after you’ve moved in to your new home. That will help you focus your attention on moving day itself and will avoid any congestion between delivery people and the movers.

13 Hook up essential services
Make sure you understand how your Calgary utility bills (gas, water, electricity) will be transferred over to you from a previous owner. Also, arrange to have your phone line, cable and Internet working if necessary.

14 Find a pet sitter for the day
If you have a pet that could be traumatized by a move, arrange to have them stay somewhere during moving day. If you’re hiring movers for a long-distance move, be sure to arrange your pet’s safe transport to your new home.

15 Make nice with your new neighbours
When you purchase Calgary real estate, always start off on the right foot by informing your immediate neighbours that you’ll be moving in and what kind of moving vehicles you’re expecting. Remember to clear your driveway of snow and ice if you’re moving in the winter and if the move takes place during a weekday, make sure your truck has plenty of room to park and it isn’t blocking anyone’s exit. This is essential with Calgary real estate near busy streets otherwise you could slow down your move … increasing your total cost.

16 Treat your movers
Whether hired movers or friends and family, be sure to have food and drinks readily available for everyone. After a long day of moving, your crew will appreciate a cold or hot drink. Remember that these people, even if paid, have helped complete relocate all of your belongings from your old to your new real estate and that a little goes a long way to say thank you.

Hopefully these tips will help make your move in to your new Calgary home a smooth and happy transition. Remember that, while purchasing a new home can have its ups and downs, everything is always more fun when you’re prepared! Good luck!